Scotland Council
Our Scotland Council works on behalf of people living with MS in Scotland.
Council members work alongside the staff team in Scotland, as well as with our local groups, to stop MS.
The Council is ultimately accountable to our Board of Trustees.
Meeting dates
Our meeting dates for 2024 are:
- Saturday 9 March
- Saturday 8 June
- Saturday 31 August
- Saturday 2 November
Meetings (except for occasional confidential items) are open to MS Society members.
If you’d like to join a Scotland Council meeting online, please contact us by email at [email protected].
Follow the Scotland Council's twitter account for the latest news and Scotland Council updates.
Meet our Scotland Council members
Laura Ingram (Chair)
My diagnosis of relapsing remitting MS in March 2014 changed my life and my family’s forever. This wasn’t anticipated, desired or expected and I immediately entered both shock and denial. It’s taken me several years to acknowledge my MS and the MS Society and MS nurses have been a huge part of this.
Raising awareness of MS, raising awareness of support services and therapies, diversifying how we connect with communities and fundraising are key priorities for the MS Society and us as your council. Scotland council always have and always will do our best to represent the voices of people impacted by MS. If you’d like to contact a fellow volunteer, or have any recommendations how we can do this please drop me a line [email protected]
Victoria Appleton
I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS in 2011. This obviously came as a huge shock and, as you might expect, changed both my life and that of my family. I've since gone on to get married and have two beautiful children.
I've had to learn to adapt my personal and professional life to continue doing the things I love. But living with MS for over 10 years now, I can confidently say I'm fitter now than I was before my diagnosis. Last year in 2023 I ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon, raising money to support the fantastic work of the MS Society.
I'm passionate about raising awareness of MS and the importance of learning to live well with this often misunderstood and unpredictable condition. It can't be stressed enough the importance of supporting those affected by MS. Whether that's the individuals living with MS or their families, carers, friends or colleagues.
I have an Instagram account where I talk about what the rollercoaster of a ride living with MS can be: @victoria.living.well.with.ms.
Joanne Dryburgh
All my life I've been a teacher - specialising in advocacy for children with complex needs and for care experienced young people. More recently, I have also been a carer. Now I have the time, passion and determination to make a difference to people living with MS.
A close family member affected by MS is an inspiration to me. As a council member, I work as a link between the MS community and the MS Society as an ambassador. This includes promoting and supporting volunteers and ensuring that people's voices are heard and responded to.
I'm also a volunteer with my local group. We actively campaign on issues that are important to the community and support fundraising for direct therapeutic input and for research to develop our understanding of MS.
Lynsey Gray (Vice Chair)
As a member of the MS Society Scotland council, I bring a personal connection to the cause, with both friends and family affected by MS.
My commitment stems from witnessing firsthand the challenges and triumphs of those living with the condition. I advocate for better resources, support, and awareness. Striving to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families impacted by MS across Scotland.
I hope to drive initiatives that enhance quality of life, promote research, and foster a supportive community for everyone affected by MS in Scotland.
Hew Mathewson CBE (Vice Chair)
My connection with the MS Society is longstanding and I previously chaired the Scotland Council. With a close relative affected by MS, and until recently as an NHS dentist with a group of patients who have MS, I can claim to understand something of the challenges for those affected by MS.
Following a back injury I developed a parallel career while gaining a degree in the legal aspects of medical practice. Subsequently holding senior UK positions in the Regulation of Health and Social Care.
I am also involved with an Edinburgh based charity which has 80 social housing units.
Hannah McGlynn
I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS in 2021. My family had an awareness of MS because my gran also had it, but even they didn't realise how far research and treatments have come. The support of family and friends and the expertise and knowledge of MS nurses and consultants has made the shift to living with MS a little bit easier.
I'm very enthusiastic about sharing all the amazing research being done into treating and curing MS. Once you're diagnosed you realise that almost everyone you speak to knows someone impacted by MS. Therefore I think it's important we provide support and education to everyone.
Mary Douglas
I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS in 1983, which has obviously shaped my and my family's life for the past 40 years in so many ways.
It's always been important to me to raise awareness and understanding about the effects of MS. In particular, about the impact of symptoms that are often hidden but devastating. After a career in NHS management, I joined my local MS group for support and then as a committee member. We campaign on a local and national level for support and services for people with MS. As well as for their families and carers. We fund therapies, social events and contribute to research.
I chaired Scotland Council for 7 years and am delighted to rejoin council to support the work of the MS Society nationally and locally.
Nick Ward
My mum has lived with MS for most of my life and through this and her own volunteer work with the Lanarkshire MS Group I have always had an affiliation with the MS Society in Scotland. After a number of fundraising efforts in the past I wanted to try and use my skills and knowledge to further support the MS Society and joined the Scotland Council in 2023.
I have a keen interest in ensuring the MS Society is well placed to support people with MS in the community using my role on the Scotland Council to help get the community’s voice back to the Society. I also volunteer as a coordinating team member of the Aberdeen MS Society Group so I can help support people with MS in my own local area.
