Equity, equality, diversity and inclusion in our strategy

We'll deliver research that better serves all people with MS, reflects their diverse experiences and needs, and gives a broader range of people with MS the opportunity to contribute to research. 

We believe that diversity is key to research excellence so we will support a diverse and inclusive research workforce and attract the best talent to MS research. These actions will ensure our research programme leads to progress for all people with MS.

We'll make our support more relevant and inclusive for everyone affected by MS, to help us build a more diverse and engaged community. Where needed we'll test specific support for underserved groups, and work with partners who better connect with the people we want to reach.

We'll develop our evidence base and actively listen to the diverse lived experiences of people with MS. We'll raise awareness and improve the understanding of what it is to live with MS everywhere in the UK. We'll involve people from a diverse range of backgrounds, identify missing voices and experiences and be proactive in developing new ways to include them. 

We'll amplify and centre these voices in our work making sure 'be heard' becomes 'is heard'. We'll challenge identified inequalities and exclusion and call for improvements so that everyone with MS can access the tailored care, treatment and support they need, that considers their unique experiences.

We'll find new ways to reach people who haven’t connected with us, through experiences that are accessible, inclusive and relevant. We'll co-produce content with people from diverse backgrounds to better reflect and resonate with the MS community through our voice, image and stories.

We'll remove barriers to make it easier for everyone to get involved and give in ways that suit them. We'll build stronger, more inclusive connections with supporters from all backgrounds, making sure more people feel welcome and valued.

We'll develop a respectful, supportive and inclusive culture, underpinned by our EEDI principles. 

Employee and volunteer voices will be valued and heard, with flexible and inclusive opportunities to discuss, develop and feed back on EEDI topics and issues. 

Inclusive policies and practices from recruitment throughout the employee and volunteer journeys will ensure we attract and retain a diverse organisation, reflective of the MS community.

We'll set standards and best practice so the diverse experiences of people with MS  inform evidence and insights gathered and reported upon. We'll do the same for co-production, so that people with MS from a diverse range of backgrounds are involved in developing services, solutions and activities in ways that suit them.

We'll use inclusive design and accessible technologies to create digital spaces that support everyone.

With ethical and equitable data principles, we'll improve the information we hold and deepen our understanding of diverse needs, helping to broaden our reach and inform our decisions.

Within the workforce we'll actively work to remove barriers, build understanding and skills, innovate and support, so that everyone is empowered to achieve impact using a modern, secure and sustainable infrastructure.

We'll use our EEDI and ethical principles in all aspects of decision-making, governance, and operations to make sure our operating model enables and reinforces inclusive, transparent, and accountable ways of working.​ 

We'll work to make sure our systems, processes, and culture work together to remove barriers and we'll strengthen meaningful involvement of different experiences and voices in key decision-making.