Lanarkshire MS group's funding plea to support counselling service
A vital free counselling service supporting Lanarkshire residents with multiple sclerosis is 'at risk' amid declining funding for its valued work.
More than 300 people have benefited from the support sessions provided by the MS Society's Lanarkshire local group over the past seven years, but the charity says its grant and fundraising income 'is running out, and there are no other major sources of income on the horizon'.
Now they are asking potential funders and donors to get in touch and to give any support possible to ensure its continuation of the service; with service user Grahame Brown, a teacher from Blantyre, saying he would be 'angry and upset' if it ceased and adding: 'I don't know how I would have coped if I'd had no one to talk to.'
The counselling project was set up through the MS Society's volunteer-run Lanarkshire local group, with more than 2000 individual sessions having taken place since 2018 and organisers calling the service and its two-week referral time 'a vital lifeline to many who would otherwise be on excessive waiting lists for talking therapy'.
Group activities volunteer Karen Henvey, of East Kilbride, said: 'We want to continue offering this service due to the vast difference it makes, not just to the person accessing the counselling but also for their family and wider network.
'Having early and easy access to counselling has made such a difference to the MS community across Lanarkshire – the service is very popular and well utilised and we've heard from feedback and those sharing their experiences that the sessions have led to improvements in health, wellbeing and overall quality of life.
'If any individuals or businesses are in a position to make a donation, we would appreciate their support so much; or if groups of friends or co-workers would like to organise a fundraising activity, we would urge them to get in touch – any contribution, no matter how big or small, will help to ensure this critical service remains available for everyone who needs it.'
NHS Lanarkshire's specialist MS nursing team also called the free service 'a true lifeline for our patients' as they face 'the emotional and psychological toll that MS can have on individuals and their families', and said: 'This service is invaluable, and we sincerely hope it continues for many years to come.
'We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of the volunteers and counsellors who make this service possible. Their unwavering commitment not only supports our patients but also reassures us, as healthcare professionals, that those in need have a safe and understanding space to turn to.'
Blantyre resident Grahame, 53, was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis last October after 'years and years [of] pain in my legs and hips' – and admits he was 'a bit sceptical' about beginning his series of sessions with counsellor Neil Irwin after being put in touch with the charity by his MS nurse as he experienced low moods.
However, the dad-of-six was immediately 'pleasantly surprised' and found counselling helped lift a wieght from his shoulders, said: 'I found it really useful. I would just go in, unload my thoughts, and Neil would help me put them into order.
'I was nervous before I started; I don't offload things to people so I was a bit unsure how it was going to go. On the train to my first session I was thinking, 'what am I going to say? Am I going to say anything at all?' But as soon as I started, Neil didn't get much chance to talk because once I opened up I just kept going.'
'At first it was just conversation, then after a couple of weeks he started to point me in certain directions and give me advice about other support that was out there. We talked about other things as well as MS, like family things.
'Counselling helped me to accept the fact I've got MS, because I was a bit in denial, and it gave me strategies to work on. I was hesitant in using a walking stick, and the sessions helped me to see that if something helps you you've got to use it. I've gradually started using the stick more and more. We also talked about sharing my feelings with my wife and family.'
Grahame has now created a four-episode podcast series entitled Descent into MS, made using recording equipment offered for loan through South Lanarkshire libraries' award-winning Lending Voices project, and which he has now shared with fellow members of the MS Society's Lanarkshire local group.
He said: 'I wouldn't have been able to go along to the group or do the podcast if I hadn't had the counselling; because I opened up to Neil I knew I could open up to others. It's getting a little bit easier to talk about my MS.
'I can't describe how much counselling helped me. Previously I had all these thoughts bouncing about in my head and I didn't know what to do. MS is such a big thing and it's so different for everyone.'
Grahame hopes sharing his story will encourage people to donate to or raise funds to help save the 'life-changing' service, and added: 'If I hadn't gone to counselling I'd still have all these thoughts in my head and be unsure which direction to take. I'd be upset if I thought there were people out there with the same thoughts but they didn't have access to a counsellor to express them.'
Counsellor Neil agreed: 'It would be a huge loss to the MS community in Lanarkshire if the service had to be discontinued due to a lack of funding.
'Some clients tell me they feel abandoned after receiving their MS diagnosis – they may have to wait a number of months for their next appointment with an MS nurse or consultant and feel as if they've been left to deal with things themselves. It's not uncommon for clients to bottle up their emotions, often because they don't want to worry family or friends.
'Counselling provides an opportunity to explore the impact a diagnosis can have, such as a sense of loss, living with limitations, or even having to accept various forms of help. This can help clients view an adaptations such as starting to use a walking stick as taking control of their MS rather than 'giving in' to the condition.'
More than 17,000 people in Scotland live with MS, which affects nerves in the brain and spinal cord and impacts how people move, think and feel.
Anyone wishing to donate to the Lanarkshire group or to fundraise for their work is asked to email fundraising@mssociety.org.uk, specifying that they wish to give direct support to the Lanarkshire local group's counselling service; and to volunteer with the Lanarkshire group, including helping members secure funding for the counselling service, email lanarkshire@mssociety.org.uk
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
14 hours ago
- Daily Record
NHS Lanarkshire's Wishaw health improvement team host summer family fun day
Vibrant and well-attended afternoon welcomed people of all ages for a free, outdoor celebration packed with activities, entertainment and important community connections. NHS Lanarkshire's health improvement team in Wishaw hosted a spectacular summer family fun day. Tea in the Garden took place at University Hospital Wishaw's King George V Community Garden. The vibrant and well-attended afternoon welcomed people of all ages for a free, outdoor celebration packed with activities, entertainment and important community connections. Families enjoyed a huge variety of hands-on activities, including cycling, arts and crafts, sports, gardening, pony visits, African drumming, archery, circus skills, tic-tac-toe, rounders and more. The day also provided an opportunity to explore the local services available from the wide range of wellbeing organisations who took part. Vicki Trim, health improvement lead - University Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: "It was a brilliant day. We loved seeing families so engaged and relaxed - children were smiling from start to finish. "North Lanarkshire's health and social care partnership works together to bring a number of events to the community throughout the year to help raise awareness of health and wellbeing opportunities. "We'd like to share a massive thank you to all the partners and volunteers who made the day such a success, and a special thanks to Tesco who kindly donated the refreshments." Organiser Grant Murdoch, health improvement practitioner - Wishaw, NHS Lanarkshire, added: "We want to make it as easy as possible for people to find out about the fantastic local services available right here in the community. "Events like this really help build connections and give people a chance to experience the amazing work happening and support offered. "We were delighted with the turnout and hope that attendees, as well as the organisations who participated, had a great day." Shadia Muhammad, a local parent, went along with her eight-year-old son. and said: "We got a message through the parents' and teachers' group and came along. "We did the drumming, made a 'sticky' at the arts and crafts tent and played football. "My son loved it - it was hard to get him away. "It's great to see something like this. We've lived here a long time but this is the first event like this I've seen. "It's so important for keeping kids active and off screens during the holidays." Another grandparent shared: "I brought my grandson, who is two and he loved the ponies and the ambulance, and just running around outside. "My daughter and I work in the hospital, so it was nice to have a day like this where he could explore and enjoy being outdoors. We had a lovely day."
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Friendly health walk leaders needed to help others enjoy a wander in Wishaw
Get Walking Lanarkshire is looking for people to join the Thursday afternoon walk. If you enjoy getting out in the fresh air for a walk and have a friendly nature then you could help others go out for a stroll and become more active. Get Walking Lanarkshire is looking for more walk leaders in Wishaw, for the already existing Thursday afternoon walk from the Houldsworth Centre. A partnership project between NHS Lanarkshire, Walking Scotland, and North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire councils, the project aims to improve health and wellbeing of residents in Lanarkshire. Health walks are free, short and easy weekly walks, lasting no longer than an hour, aimed at people who would benefit from becoming more active. Potential walk leaders need no previous experience, just a friendly nature and the availability to lead a walk on a regular basis. Free training will be provided. Other benefits include meeting new people, improving your own health and wellbeing and seeing walkers improve too. For more info about becoming a health walk leader, contact Get Walking Lanarkshire on 07903 358424 or getwalkinglanarkshire@ * Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'I had home from hell after chronic hoarding but 2 things were always spotless'
Recovering hoarder Sue James shares her story with new in a bid to help others secretly suffering from the mental health issue Books and toys piled high, shopping still in grocery bags and brand new clothes collecting dust; a narrow pathway through each room and barely space to open a curtain – this was the home of a hoarder. Sue James, 57, from Birmingham, describes her house as 'what hell looked like' before she sought help but now after decades of accumulating 'stuff', the reformed hoarder opens up about living with the hidden mental health issue. "I was a hoarder for nearly 40 years and I firmly believe it originated from my traumatic childhood. I had few toys of my own or real possessions to cherish and so when I finally left home at 18 I went shopping. I bought myself clothes and things for my house and from that day I said, 'Right, this is mine. I bought this for myself brand new. No one can make me share it or give it away.' That's how my hoarding journey started – I'd had nothing that was purely mine before then and so I didn't want to let anything go. I was heavily pregnant when I split up with my first husband and my second husband had his own mental health struggles. I went on to be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in my mid-twenties, which added to the stresses and strains of my life. When my house was at its worst, it was filled to the brim with random things piled high, almost to the ceiling. I would buy shopping and didn't even take it out of the bags. There was nowhere to put anything in any cupboards so I would just walk into the house with my shopping and put the bag down. I'd just get groceries out of the bags as needed. There was probably a foot of room either side of my bed, while on the sofa of my lounge I would have to keep moving things around to sit down. There would be avalanches of stuff every time I tried to rest. I did have little walkways throughout the house so I could access every room but I might not necessarily be able to get to the windows in these rooms to open them, or to close the curtains. I had fire service safety checks and they would say to me, 'Well, you can move around in the house but you know that there are safety risks. Things could fall on you or you could trip on things.' I'd already spent my life falling over nothing – when I was diagnosed with MS my neurologist looked back over my medical history and realised my symptoms had started when I was aged eight or nine. I've broken my left wrist 28 times and my right wrist twice, I've broken my ankle in five places and every finger and toe. So the state of my home was even more dangerous given my disability. No one knew Cleanliness was never an issue when it comes to my hoarding, my bathroom and toilet were the only two rooms that weren't 'hoarded' and I was always clean and presentable when I left the house. I never had a problem throwing away rubbish or recycling either – a crisp packet would always go straight into the bin. When it came to my hoarding, it was about things that had an intrinsic value, whether monetary or sentimental. Books have been a huge issue when it comes to hoarding because their importance was drilled into me as a child. The knowledge you can obtain from books is valuable so I struggle to let them go. No one knew I was a hoarder – I wouldn't let anybody into the house, visitors were a complete no-no. At first I was happy, with my shiny new possessions no one could take away from me. I moved several times over the years and each time my home got a little bit bigger, meaning I had more space to keep stuff in. But I came to realise my kids shouldn't have to live in that situation – it's no surprise my younger son is a minimalist now he's grown-up and he's been so encouraging in my recovery. So about five years ago I decided to knuckle down and face up to my hoarding – I thought, 'I've got to do something about this.' It was Christmas 2019 when I reached rock bottom. My electricity went off and I went round the house trying to access the plug sockets to unplug items, with great difficulty. I wanted to see if I could flip the switch on the fuse board to get the electric back on by doing this and I couldn't, so it was just my dog and I in the dark for days. It was crippling. I was tripping over things, hurting myself and I spent hours sitting in McDonald's drinking coffee and charging my phone. I had no money to get the electricity working again but in the end I posted about my situation on a local community board and someone stepped in to help me and didn't charge me a penny. Making a cry for help Making the first step is the hardest, you have to let people in – literally – and thankfully, it's all coming together and making sense for me now. I saw a lady advertising locally, she did some cleaning and had a few hours available every week. I was scared to get in touch, I told her I needed physical help to sort my home out, I tried my best to explain what hell looks like. She came over, and was greeted by piles of boxes. I thought she was going to back out. Instead, she said it was doable – she worked with me four hours a week and the improvement has been huge. I want to remove the stigma about hoarding, it is a hidden mental health issue that should be more openly talked about. Some people are too ashamed to seek help, others don't know where to turn. And it's about knowing how to help – you can't just walk into someone's house and say, 'You've got too much stuff. You have to get rid of it.' I'm now at the end of my decluttering journey – it's possible to turn things around with the right support.
