Support Scotland’s MND charity

Some of you will be aware that the MND Association has asked their members to vote, at their AGM on 8^th July, on a proposal to register as a charity in Scotland.

For 45 years, MND Scotland and the MND Association have worked together, often referring to each other as ‘sister organisations’, recognising the distinct support each charity offers in their own geographical area.

We believe the interests of people with MND, and those around them, are best served by the two organisations continuing to work together. We want to remain collaborators rather than competitors.

A shift away from this model would dismantle a successful partnership that has been built over 45 years on trust and mutual respect.

We have been transparent with supporters that, at the end of September last year, we experienced an incredibly challenging financial environment. We took some very tough decisions to ensure the long-term stability of the charity and our recovery plan has worked. We are now 12 months ahead of recovery plan projections. We have implemented many positive changes and learned a lot in the process.

We believe the timing of the MND Association’s planned move into Scotland is related to these recent events.

However, having fought extremely hard to overcome those challenges, we are equally determined to ensure we keep delivering for people affected by MND in Scotland. We are still the only charity in Scotland providing direct, specialist practical support. What we do is rooted in Scotland, delivered by our team, and shaped around the Scottish systems that people affected by MND need to navigate.

MND Scotland works every day with our nation’s distinct approaches to health, social care, housing benefits and much more. We have built trusted relationships with professionals, services, policy makers and partner organisations across Scotland, allowing us to support people effectively and advocate for change.

For example, we use the donations we receive to influence change, to ensure councils and other organisational bodies do better to meet their obligations and statutory responsibilities around housing and social care for people with MND. We prefer not to use donations to compensate for what is a statutory right, such as housing adaptations. 

Our specialist MND counsellors are trained to offer free, informed and compassionate support to people affected by MND and their families.

Through long-standing partnerships, we provide free Wills and Power of Attorney for people with MND, giving families access to proper legal advice and support when they need it most.

We offer free SpeakUnique voice banking for people with MND in Scotland, helping individuals preserve or recreate their voice if speech becomes difficult or is lost.

Our free accessible holidays give people affected by MND and their families the chance to spend precious time together and make memories in a safe, welcoming and fully accessible environment.

Our policy and campaigns team works tirelessly to influence change for people affected by MND. Through our manifesto and wider work, we are calling for fast-tracked housing and adaptations, fast-tracked social care, and increased targeted research funding for neuro-progressive conditions.

In addition to all this support, we fund research into this brutal disease.

We can only deliver this thanks to the generosity of our amazing supporters. We are funded entirely by donations, and we need people to continue to support us once again.

The work we do is needed now more than ever. If you agree, there are two things you can do immediately to help:

• Tell us the difference MND Scotland has made to you. We want to hear your stories. You can do so by emailing communications@mndscotland.org.uk
• Help us generate the income we need to keep going, whether that’s through a donation or fundraising. Find out more here https://mndscotland.org.uk/get-involved/

Thank you for reading and for your loyal commitment to improving the lives of people affected by MND.