National Support Advisor Service
Here for you throughout your MND journey
At MND Scotland, we know that a diagnosis of MND can affect every part of life. It can bring changes to health, income, work, housing, care needs, family life and future planning.
We also know that people affected by MND should not have to deal with these changes alone.
That is why we created the National Support Advisor Service.
Why this service matters
We spoke to people with MND, carers and families and asked what support they wanted from MND Scotland. They told us they wanted practical, joined-up support throughout the journey of MND.
- They wanted someone who understood MND.
- Someone who could help them understand what support is available.
- Someone who could help them access what they may be entitled to.
- Someone who would be there as things change.
We listened.
The National Support Advisor Service has been developed to make sure people affected by MND have access to practical, person-centred support when they need it.
What the service can help with
Our National Support Advisors can support people with MND, carers and families with a wide range of issues, including:
Welfare benefits and income maximisation
Health and social care support
Housing issues
Adaptations
Carer support
Accessing services
Understanding what help may be available
Raising concerns when things are delayed or not working as they should
The support offered will depend on what each person needs. Some people may need a one-off conversation, while others may need support at different points as their circumstances change.
Support throughout the journey of MND
MND affects people in different ways, and support needs can change over time.
The National Support Advisor Service is here to help people understand their options and feel more supported as they move through different stages of MND.
This may include support soon after diagnosis, when someone is thinking about work or benefits, when care needs change, when housing or adaptations become important, or when families need help understanding what to do next.
Our aim is to make sure people affected by MND know that someone is there for them.
Why MND Scotland provides this support in-house?
One of the most important parts of this service is that it is provided directly by MND Scotland.
This means people are supported by advisors who understand MND and the impact it can have on daily life. Our advisors understand how quickly things can change, how complex systems can feel, and how important it is to get the right support at the right time.
While we may still work with other organisations and services when needed, our aim is not simply to signpost people away. We want to provide support directly, helping people navigate systems that can sometimes be delayed, difficult or confusing.
By providing this support in-house, MND Scotland can offer a more personal and informed service to people affected by MND, their carers and families.
Working with other organisations
Over the years, MND Scotland has built strong working relationships with other organisations, services and departments across Scotland.
This means that when people affected by MND are facing delays or difficulties, our National Support Advisors may be able to raise issues quickly with the right people. Where appropriate, we can use these established relationships to escalate concerns, ask for updates, and help move things forward.
This is important because MND is a rapidly progressing condition, and delays can have a serious impact on people with MND, their carers and families.
While we cannot guarantee outcomes, having these relationships means we are often able to support people in ways that may not be possible if they were trying to navigate these systems alone.
Working to make change
The National Support Advisor Service is not only about supporting individuals and families. It is also about learning from people’s experiences and using this to make change.
Our National Support Advisors work closely with MND Scotland’s Policy and Campaigns team. This means that when people affected by MND are facing common problems, such as delays with care, housing, adaptations, benefits or other services, these issues can be identified and raised.
This helps MND Scotland understand where systems are not working well and where we need to push for better support.
By listening to people affected by MND and learning from their experiences, we can help make a difference not only for individuals today, but for others in the future.
Our commitment
The National Support Advisor Service has been created because people affected by MND told us they needed more support.
MND Scotland listened.
We are committed to standing alongside people with MND, carers and families, helping them access the right support, understand their options and feel less alone. We are also committed to using what we learn to push for change where it is needed.
The National Support Advisor Service is here to support people throughout the journey of MND, and to help make sure their voices are heard.
Support Services Referral
Please note: All questions marked with an asterisk (*) must be answered before submitting your application.
