South West MS Therapy Centre welcomes Steve Race MP
The South West MS Therapy Centre was delighted to welcome Steve Race MP to the centre on Friday 27 February, where he learned more about the centre’s work and met local people living with long-term conditions.
As part of the visit, alongside centre members, we were joined by the Group Coordinator of Exeter MS Society Group. Members shared their personal experiences, from the challenges of getting an MS diagnosis to the local shortage of MS nurses.
The Exeter MP heard about the collaboration between the Exeter MS Society Group and the South West MS Centre, as we work together to provide services for those living with MS through peer and social support opportunities. We also highlighted our urgent need to secure new premises.
Steve Race MP said: “I’m grateful to have been invited along to meet this incredible group of people and learn more about MS. I look forward to working in collaboration with the group, drawing attention to the challenges that people with MS face and calling for change.”
Caroline Aird, Chief Executive of the South West MS Therapy Centre, said: “We are grateful to Steve Race MP for visiting us and learning from members about how the centre positively impacts their lives.
“We also discussed the need for charities like ours, and other colleagues in the third sector, to be part of the conversation around healthcare both nationally and locally.”
Charlotte Gill, Head of Campaigns and Public Affairs at the MS Society, said: “Living with MS can be debilitating, exhausting and unpredictable. And all too often, people struggle to access the treatment, care and financial support they need to manage their condition.
“It's vital that MPs understand what it’s like to live with MS so they can speak up for their constituents with MS in Parliament. We’re glad that Steve Race MP has met with our Exeter group and we look forward to working together to increase awareness of MS in the future.”
Over 150,000 people in the UK live with multiple sclerosis (MS), including 12,372 in the South West. MS is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, impacting how people move, think and feel. Symptoms vary for each person and are often invisible, but some of the most common include fatigue, vision problems, and mobility issues. Once diagnosed, MS is a lifelong condition, and symptoms may worsen over time.
The South West MS Therapy Centre welcomes those living with MS and other long term health conditions. Members from across Devon and beyond access Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, first-class neuro physiotherapy, Pilates and a range of other exercise classes.
The Exeter MS Society group is part of a UK-wide network of local support groups, offering emotional support, information services, and regular coffee and chat meet-ups. The MS Society is the UK’s leading charity for people affected by MS. For 70 years it has been at the forefront of support, research, and campaigning to improve the lives of people affected by the condition.