The Matchroom Charitable Foundation awarded £10,000 to Shift.ms towards “The Buddy Network”, a holistic and life-changing project of personalised, 1-to-1 support for highly vulnerable newly diagnosed MSers, delivered by trained volunteers with lived experience of MS.
Support is provided for up-to 6 months across a range of topics to meet the needs of each individual, but commonly include adapting to a new diagnoses, coping strategies, symptom management, and navigating treatment and lifestyle choices.
The project aims to reduce feelings of isolation, help MSers come to terms with their “new normal”, and motive them to proactively take control of their health and wellbeing.
Thanks to this grant from the Matchroom Charitable Foundation the project aspires to provide support to 400 MSers over 12-months, empowering them to live life to the full – despite the challenges of MS.
“I needed to make new friends as was struggling alone. My buddy messages every day to check in. Having support from someone else who has MS is a big help. Having a life long friendship made has made my life a lot happier. Just someone to talk to.” ~ Jo, MSer from South East England, supported through the Matchroom Charitable Foundation’s gift.
Shift.ms is a digital-first, small, national charity founded by people with Multiple Sclerosis (“MSers”) for MSers. MS is a devastating, debilitating and progressive neurological disease, often diagnosed in young adulthood – what should be the prime of life. Over 150,000 MSers live across the UK, with a further 7,100 heartbreaking new diagnoses made annually. A diagnosis is frightening, isolating, overwhelming and creates great anxiety about the future. Shift.ms provides free, peer-led support, available 24/7, 365 days a year through the Shift.ms mobile app, and now reaches over 38,000 people across the UK.