Joining the fight to stop MS
I'm Sadie - I love dancing, 90s music and crisps. And I am now the Digital and Content Production Coordinator for the MS Society. I joined the lovely Digital and Content team in February 2021.
MS got me thinking
Previously, I’d worked for almost five years at Macmillan Cancer Support. I knew I wanted a change but also to stay in the charity sector. So I began my search.
I’d recently got into a conversation with a family friend who was speaking on their MS journey. I’m not sure I'd ever heard of anyone, personally, who had MS. I was very intrigued that this could just happen to someone unexpectedly. I thought about what that must be like and it was on my mind for a little while.
I’d seen the Digital and Content production job for the MS Society. I put a bookmark on the vacancy to come back to and do later.
I thought it was interesting that from never really having thought about MS, it was now creeping up in different ways. When those things happen, I pay attention.
On the night I was going to apply I was so tired that I fell asleep and thought I had missed the deadline. I happened to be up earlier than usual the next day and realised I still had an hour left to apply, so I did. And the rest is… well, that’s a story for another time. But I’m here now!
Starting a new job - remotely!
There was quite a lot to adjust to when I first started. Who knew sitting in your living room staring at a laptop with 15 plus faces you’d never seen before could make your stomach sink a little bit! I was coming from a bigger organisation, but from a much smaller team.
Coming from a team of two to a team of much more than two felt like I had gone from a small village to a big city - and I hadn’t quite packed the right clothes.
My amazing team soon set my nerves at bay and they’ve been a joy to work with ever since.
My role felt a little overwhelming at times as it felt like there was a lot to cover. But again, my team made the process that much easier. They’re so knowledgeable, supportive, encouraging, friendly and dedicated to helping people with MS.
That was something that stood out to me from my first day. Everything is done with people with MS at the forefront of their minds - as equals, not as people ‘less fortunate’ or unable to think and speak for themselves.
Ultimately, it’s all of our goals to help people with MS and to stop MS altogether.
Getting to know the MS community
I am looking forward to getting to know our community more and think the co-production way of working is fantastic. Even the fact that I am writing a blog, and that blogs are a common way of getting to know our community gives a beautiful sense of transparency and authenticity. Real people, in their own words, letting you into their world, it’s a really nice thing to be part of.
As with all things, there are challenges and I think they may differ for each person depending on your exact role. But that doesn’t outweigh our ambition and everyone’s dedication to reaching our organisational goals.
I'm the first point of call for my team, so I’m making contacts with people across the organisation that I might not have otherwise, especially working from home. My wider colleagues are all really great people, dedicated to helping people with MS. It’s been a pleasure getting to know everyone.
Give it a go
I would encourage anyone to apply for a job here. You will be challenged, you might not always know how to go about things, and you may even feel overwhelmed at times. But equally, you will learn so much, be encouraged and supported.
It’s a great environment to grow in. It doesn’t matter what your background is, you will be accepted and celebrated.
So if you see a vacancy and wonder whether to apply, I say go for it.
Even if you think you don’t quite meet the whole criteria, the MS Society really do see the potential in people and help you bring it out of yourself. So go ahead, you never know what could happen!
Do you want to join us?
We're very proud of our people and what they achieve. And we'd love you to be a part of that.
