MSA Trust

Borders Support Group

Our CEO, Karen Walker gives a summary of her trip up to Scotland to attend the Scottish Border’s Support Group….

I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to travel north on Monday to attend the Scottish Borders Support Group meeting.

What a morning it was for a drive through that beautiful part of the country. The autumnal colours were stunning and the glorious sunshine just added to a great feeling of nostalgia as I drove through the lovely Borders countryside, stopping for coffee in Hawick, our founder, Sarah Matheson’s childhood home.

The meeting in lovely Galashiels was led by MSA Nurse Specialist, Katie Rigg. I was, as always, struck by the different experiences people have with the statutory support and care services they require and receive. It is often a depressing round of phone calls, misunderstandings and missed opportunities to get people living with MSA and their carers, the support they need. Being able to hear from others who are experiencing some of the same problems, and how they have overcome them, can help you to formulate a plan.

Here at the MSA Trust we continue to work with services, where we can, to try to make the process easier to negotiate, but we do realise the number of services required can mean the way through the form filling and the phone calls can be tough. Please do call or email us if you are struggling and we will help where we can or signpost you to a service that can support you. The one very positive outcome from our Support Groups, and it was very evident in Galashiels, is that you do not have to face this struggle alone.

As I drove back through the Borders towards Newcastle, I reflected on how pleased Sarah would have been to know that her worry about the isolation for families living with MSA is being tackled head on. I am absolutely sure she would have been so delighted to know that the charity she founded was also holding a meeting in the Borders.

Phone – 0333 323 4591

Email – support@msatrust.org.uk


Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the blogs published on these pages are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the MSA Trust.

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