21-07-2025
Lanarkshire MS group's funding plea to support counselling service
The much-valued free support sessions are "at risk" amid reducing grants and donations
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@ 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@
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