The MS Society is launching a 'Community Connections' service with activities and resources to enable people in Wales and the south west of England to live well with multiple sclerosis (MS).

MS is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, which impacts how people move, think and feel and with an estimated 17,000 people living with the condition across Wales and the south west, the MS Society is launching the service to provide a comprehensive package of support to those living with the condition, and their families.

The Community Connections project will provide a range of support, including:

MS Society will work with, and refer to, local Citizens’ Advice services and other expert organisations to ensure that people with, and affected by, MS are able to access benefits advice whilst local health and social care providers will help to improve access to wellbeing services and activities. The project will also recruit Community Connections staff.

The new service is being funded by gas emergency and pipeline service, Wales & West Utilities, who provided over £213,000 funding as part of the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA).

A recent MS Society survey found that 7 in 10 people with MS have unmet needs when it comes to understanding the benefits system and the new Community Connections service aims to empower those affected to access the support they need.

Leila Middlehurst Evans, Community Connections Manager at MS Society Cymru, said: "We are thrilled to be launching the Community Connections project to provide comprehensive support for people living with, and affected by, MS across Wales and the south west of England. We’re incredibly grateful to Wales & West Utilities for the funding provided.

“MS can be debilitating, exhausting and unpredictable. Timely support that empowers people with MS to navigate local services and access vital resources will make a huge difference in enabling them to live well with MS. Our dedicated team is committed to understanding each person's unique needs and connecting them with the most relevant assistance. We're excited to see the positive impact this project will have on our MS community."

The project will run until 2026. To access the Community Connections services, email [email protected] or call the MS Helpline at 0808 800 8000.

For more information about MS Society Cymru or to support their work, visit mssociety.org.uk/wales or follow facebook.com/msscymru or instagram.com/mssocietycymru

Between April 2021 to March 2026, Wales & West Utilities has £25m to spend on projects which support consumers in vulnerable situations and to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide and keep people safe from the ‘silent killer’.

Funding is distributed through the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA), and 75% of the money will be spent on projects relevant to Wales and south west England only, while 25% will be spent on collaborative projects with the other gas networks across the whole of the UK.

If you smell gas, or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide, call 0800 111 999 straight away.