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Our Volunteer Impact Awards are one way that we recognise the commitment, achievements, and successes of our volunteers.

The awards shine a spotlight on our volunteers’ amazing contributions and the impact they have on people affected by MS. Volunteers can be nominated for an award in these categories:

Supporting and empowering

For going the extra mile to support people with MS, helping them to live well and face the future with more confidence.

Fundraising

For inspiring efforts to raise money for us, helping us get closer to our vision of a world free from the effects of MS.

Sharing skills and expertise

For outstanding contributions to the development and delivery of our work. And making sure people living with the effects of MS are at the heart of everything we do.

Informing

For showing extraordinary dedication to raising awareness about MS and giving people affected by MS the information they need to live well.

Connecting

For building networks, creating partnerships, and bringing people together to help make sure no one has to face MS alone.

Influencing

For speaking up for the MS community and bringing about change at local or national level.

Nominate a volunteer for an Impact Award

If you know a volunteer who’s made an invaluable contribution to the lives of those affected by MS, why not nominate them for an award!

All you have to do is fill in a form to let us know how their contribution has made a positive impact, so we can shine a spotlight to acknowledge and celebrate it.

To find out more or to request a nomination form please contact [email protected]. 

How we choose our winners

Nominations are made by service users, volunteers and staff. These are then assessed quarterly by our panel, made up of experienced volunteers from a variety of roles across the MS Society.

Fellow Ambassador and judging panel member, Trishna Bharadia, tells us what she enjoys most about being involved:

As with every year, it's hearing the stories behind the nominations and learning more about all the wonderful work that volunteers are doing for the MS community. It never fails to put a smile on my face, uplift and inspire me!

Previous award winners include:

Supporting and empowering 

Jo Newall (Lead Support Volunteer, Milton Keynes Group) 

Jo is a grants wizard! Leading on her local group’s pilot for cost-of-living grants. Jo has supported over 60 people to apply for grants since 2019, and is responsible for grants awarded totalling almost £30,000! She’s also incredibly active in fundraising, and planning and organising services and activities for her local group.

Informing

Barry and Emma MacDowell from Kinmylies, Scotland 

The newlyweds raised awareness of MS and inspired millions of people when the heart-warming story of their first dance as a married couple went viral. The pair both live with MS and Barry uses an electric wheelchair full-time. He was determined to stand for their first dance, so they embarked on a year of secret physiotherapy before surprising family and friends on their wedding day.

Sharing skills and expertise

Siobhan Allister, Fermanagh Group

Siobhan is a Group Coordinator, member of the Northern Ireland MS Council, and takes an active role in lobbying. She joined the Fermanagh group after being diagnosed with MS in 2010 and uses her personal experience to improve the lives of others by signposting them to support and guidance. She’s also taken an active role in developing the emergency grants pilot for her local community.

A passionate fundraiser, Siobhan’s also organised MS walks, cycles, abseils and special events. She’s raised more than £100k to support people living with MS in Northern Ireland. 

Influencing

Mike Matulewicz (Group Coordinator, Preston Group)

Mike’s been volunteering with us for nearly 40 years!  He’s been a strong advocate for change in the MS community, both locally and nationally. In addition to leading two local groups, Mike was a Trustee for seven years and, for the past two years, he’s been Co-Chair of the Community Networks Advisory Panel – sharing his skills, volunteer experience and knowledge of MS to advise on strategy and planning for local groups. 

Fundraising

Gary Rushworth from Cumbria

Gary started volunteering for the Barrow and Furness group in 2013 as a Health and Safety Volunteer. He moved onto taking on personal challenges, fundraising events and walks in memory of his wife, Moira. He’s walked 1,800 miles across the length and breadth of the UK, and completed it in just 100 days! Gary's raised almost £10,000 for our Octopus research trial.

Connecting

Bradford and District and Skipton, Craven and Keighley Volunteers

Following the receipt of a joint legacy gift, the groups formed a legacy project, to improve services and support for people with MS. Together, they’ve funded a counselling service and local grants. As well as newly diagnosed events, social activities and developed four gym membership schemes in collaboration with a local GP referral service.

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