MS Helpline

How we can help

• Special requirements

  We don’t want language to be a barrier to contacting us. If your first language isn’t English, we offer Language Line translation services in over 170 languages. Ask for a translation service and we’ll arrange this for you.

  If you have speech or hearing difficulties and are a textphone user, you can contact us free. We use Next Generation Text (NGT) which you can access by dialling 18001 0808 800 8000. A relay assistant will either type or repeat the words either of us are using so we can have a conversation. You can also replace your textphone with the free NGT Lite app.

  You can write to us at the following address: MS Helpline, 372 Edgware Road, London, NW2 6ND.

  If you need to talk to someone face to face, you can contact us on 0808 800 8000 to make an appointment, or drop in to speak to a member of the team between Monday and Friday, 10am – 4pm. Please note that we operate a very busy service and without an appointment you may need to wait for someone to become free, or schedule an appointment for a later date.

  

  Sometimes we will be unable to answer calls immediately. If the line is busy when you phone, you will have the option of leaving a message with your name and phone number. We return all calls within three working days. Unfortunately we can’t return calls to numbers that bar withheld or anonymous numbers.

  > Find out more about MS

  > Find out what other support is available in our Care and support section

• Talk to us about...

  We know everyone’s MS is different and the impact of MS can change over time. We also know that MS affects more than just people with a diagnosis. We support people with MS, people worried about MS, those going through the diagnostic process and those who are newly diagnosed. We also support carers, friends and family, employers and professionals.

  We’re here to support you however we can. We provide emotional support and information on a range of topics, including:

  • symptoms
  • current research
  • diagnosis
  • accessing services
  • support and benefits
  • getting in touch with the MS community

  While we can offer information and support, we're not medically trained and we’re not qualified benefits advisers. We can’t tell you what to do, but we can explore your options with you. We're here to help you to make the best decision for your situation and, if appropriate, direct you to the right service for you. The information we provide is always accurate, evidence-based and up to date.

• MS legal advice service
  If you have concerns about your rights and entitlements, help is available. We work in partnership with the Disability Law Service (DLS), funding an MS legal officer to assist people with MS in five key areas of law (in England and Wales only). This service is available free of charge to people affected by MS. Read about our legal advice service.
• MS benefits advice service

  Sometimes navigating the benefits system can be a challenge.

  Our MS benefits advice service offers free, confidential advice to people affected by MS, supporting people in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

  You can get in touch with our MS Benefits Adviser by calling the Helpline on 0808 800 8000 or emailing msbenefitsadvice@dls.org.uk.

• Moving more with MS

  Our MS Helpline can talk to you about a mix of approaches to help you manage your MS better.

  No matter where you live in the UK, we can

  • provide information on staying active, and tell you where you can go for help
  • give you general information on nutrition and stopping smoking, including signposting you to specialist services
  • help you find things to do in your local area that are easy for you to get to and use.

  Do you live in England?
  

  If you live in England, you can also talk to our Physical Activity Specialist. This is funded by Sport England so is not currently available in the rest of the UK.

  Our Physical Activity Specialist will use different approaches to help you, like:

  • working with you to make an individual action plan to help you make the changes you want to see
  • offering 12 months of ongoing one-to-one telephone support. This would include your action plan, one-to-one follow-ups, and evaluation
  • providing information, and telling you where you can go for help to stay active
  • helping you find things to do in your local area that are easy for you to get to and use.

   

  Sign up to speak to our Physical Activity Specialist

• Short breaks

  If you have MS and want to find some respite, or take a short break, we can provide a specialised service to help you organise this. We can do this for trips closer to home or for travel to the other side of the globe.

  > Get information about short breaks

• Confidentiality
  We occasionally monitor enquiries for training and quality purposes, but all contact to the MS Helpline is confidential, in keeping with the MS Society’s safeguarding policies. Read our confidentiality policy.
• Disclaimer

  The MS Helpline is not a substitute for medical care. We would always suggest that you check with your doctor, MS nurse or neurologist if you have any concerns about your condition or treatment.