The MS Centre at West Parley is a Day and Therapy Centre for people and families in Dorset who are living with Multiple Sclerosis. We fund the services of carers, neuro physiotherapists, a yoga teacher and a hairdresser at the Centre amongst a vast team of volunteers who help the Centre run smoothly.
We also run a fleet of minibuses, collecting our members in the community who are unable to drive any longer, allowing them to attend the Centre each week. We ask for a small donation to help fund this.
WELCOME TO
Our vision is to encourage and support local people living with Multiple Sclerosis in attaining their full potential.
We first opened our doors in 1985 as MS Society Bournemouth & District Group, Osborne Centre and have recently transformed into the MS Centre Dorset with the support of the MS Society.
What Is MS?
Multiple Sclerosis, also known as MS, is a progressive auto-immune disease which affects the brain and spinal cord. With MS the immune system mistakenly attacks your central nervous system. It attacks the myelin sheath that protects the nerves, causing them not to pass messages efficiently. This causes delays in messages from the brain, or sometimes not getting through at all.
With over 100 diagnoses a week, more than 130,000 people have MS in the UK, more than 1,200 are in the Dorset area. Diagnosis is typically between the ages of 20 to 30, but can be diagnosed in younger or older people. Nearly three times more women have MS than men.
Some of the most common MS symptoms can be:
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Eyesight Problems
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Fatigue
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Memory and Cognitive Issues
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Pins and Needle sensation, numbness or burning feeling
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Mobility Difficulties
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Loss of balance and dizziness
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Muscle Stiffness and Spasticity
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Bladder and Bowel Issues
Each person who has MS is different, and our aim is to provide services at our centre to meet their individual needs.
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis: A Guide for Newly Diagnosed Patients
Not ready to come to the Centre yet, or perhaps your job or home life restricts you from coming when we are open?
There is an alternative group which you can join run by one of our Trustees, Keith Hunt, called MateS. Click on the MateS tab to find out more.