Who we are

The Ross-shire Branch was started in January 1972. It is affiliated to the MS Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to the MS Society Scotland . The Branch is organised and run according to the National Constitution and Guidelines and carries out the various Branch Core Activities which are designed to help people affected by MS.

The present membership of the Ross-shire Branch is made up of about 40 members with MS, 15 support members, a committee of 5, and 3 (unpaid) officials.. These figures in no way represent the true number of people with MS in Ross-shire and the Branch exists to help and support all who suffer from MS, whether members or not.

What we do

First and foremost, we provide a contact for those newly diagnosed who are referred to us, giving appropriate information and visiting if requested. Contact is made initially through the Secretary of the Branch.

We aim to provide support for all those who are affected by MS including families, carers and friends. This means making time for all such people and liasing about respite care and other related services and passing on information that may be relevant.

INFORMATION: We regularly distribute a Branch Newsletter which provides information about events. Branch matters, contacts, etc. and generally keeps members in touch with each other throughout our very scattered membership.

New members the MS Information Pack, containing booklets such as What is MS?; Making the most of life with MS; "Sources of Support"; also the full range of MS Society information leaflets through publicising their existence, and holding stocks of them for prompt despatch.

We circulate widely “MS Matters in Ross-shire – a useful guide”. This contains much local information about all services relating to MS, with contact numbers.

ACTIVITIES: Social Afternoons are held in Evanton on Saturday afternoons at about 10 week intervals These afternoons have proved very popular for those based on the east side of the county. Speakers are occasionally invited along, but generally the members enjoy the opportunity simply to chat to each other.

Other “one off” activities are organised throughout the year, including the Annual Lunch, Christmas Party – a visit to the Scottish Parliament tin 2005, and the Cairngorm Railway in 2006.

FUNDRAISING: This is, of necessity, an on-going activity of the Branch, and, as well as the annual events, we are always thinking up new ways to help the funds.

We participate in the Christmas mail order scheme

Members are encouraged to ask for financial help, and providing it is sound and appropriate, it is always given, either wholly from the Branch or as a combined grant with MS Scotland. After requests from members have been taken into account, the Branch will donate money to Research into the causes and cures for MS.

In general, the role and function of the Branch can be summed up by saying its aim is to raise the quality of life and care of its members and to work for the eradication of MS.

The Ross-shire Branch is small and friendly. The membership is similar to an extended family and a friendly. encouraging and supportive relationship is maintained between all members, whether MS sufferer, committee member, carer or supporter.