“The course has helped me be mindful of what I can achieve instead of thinking what I can’t”
— Hope Programme for MS participant
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and spinal cord and leads to symptoms like blurry vision, difficulty moving, and problems in how people think and feel. In the UK, over 150,000 people live with MS, affecting two and half times as many women as men, diagnosed in their thirties and forties.
The Hope Programme for MS was the first digital course launched in March 2020 when we pivoted to online due to the pandemic. Since then, the courses supported over 500 people to meet others, build confidence and better manage their MS.
This programme isn’t commissioned or licensed. As a social enterprise, we are proud to fund and deliver this programme every year using our profits and with the incredible support from our volunteers and staff.
Impact to date
From our Hope Programme for MS participant“Proud that I'm a strong, compassionate and resilient person. It’s very inspiring when we see that our facilitators have MS too so they know what we are going through.”
Our volunteers and staff
A big thank you to Vicky, Karen, Bethan, and the hundreds of people who have completed the Hope Programme.
Vicky is a founding member of our social enterprise and has been involved in facilitating courses for over 10 years.
"Being a participant on the course changed my outlook on life as a person living with MS. I was keen to pass this on to others, so I trained as a facilitator. I soon realised that HOPE was working its magic on me too – I was genuinely more peaceful and positive about my MS and happier overall."
Vicky Harker
Karen helped co-design the Hope Programme for MS working with Coventry University and trained to deliver courses to others.
"I feel privileged to see people gain confidence in themselves as they go through the course, it makes me feel warm inside. I was part of the group that co-created the Programme and have facilitated several courses. I totally believe in Hope, having seen how it has helped people to cope with their lives."
Karen Robertson
Bethan completed the course as a participant, and now she is part of our core team, training and assessing new facilitators and ensuring quality control of our programmes delivery.
“I didn’t think I’d work again. My life was dominated by my MS. Hope helped me take better care of me, but also to work again. I try to support participants and facilitators to get the best possible experience. People go on a journey – and like me, come out of it stronger and feeling more in control. With Hope, anything is possible.”
Bethan Alper
Hope stories
