Member Spotlight: Motor Neurone Disease Association
Brain Awareness Week 2024
During Brain Awareness Week 2024, we will be highlighting some of our fantastic member organisations.
Today we are highlighting the MND Association.
What is Motor Neurone Disease?
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a fatal rapidly progressing neurological condition affecting more than 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time. There is no cure.
The disease causes messages from nerves known as motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord that control movement to gradually stop reaching the muscles. This leads the muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste, which can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe.
MND affects people of all backgrounds and a person’s lifetime risk of developing MND is around 1 in 300.
Who are the Motor Neurone Disease Association?
The MND Association focuses on funding research, improving access to care and campaigning for people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We are a membership organisation with over 11,000 members, 7,000 active volunteers and members of staff all dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by MND, their families and their carers.
What support does the MND Association offer?
Since 1990, the MND Association has developed a number of MND Care Centres and networks across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. These seek to improve the support and multidisciplinary co-ordination of services for people living with MND as well as promoting effective, integrated working between health and social care, research and voluntary sectors.
The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association also fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure. We also campaign and raise awareness so the needs of people living with MND are recognised and addressed by the wider society.
Various financial supports are also available, for example:
cost of living support to help with household bills and food shopping
funding for children and young people living with someone with MND
non-paid carers supporting someone living with MND
grants to help improve the quality of life for someone living with MND
In Northern Ireland, the NI MNDA Branch is operated entirely by volunteers.
NI Branch members and Association Visitors work closely with the four MNDA NI based staff team to support people living with MND, their families and carers.
The NI Branch also organise and provide
informal support meetings for people living with MND, their families and carers to meet together
advice and signpost to other services
a branch contact telephone and email for support and information
information and access to small grants and equipment
materials and advice on how to fundraise or opportunities for volunteering
website information on activities, support available and a regular newsletter with information on Branch’s activities
How can people contact the MND Association?
www.mndani.com
NIBranch@mndani.com or calling 07434 839 842.
Details of who to contact in Northern Ireland are available at: www.mndani.com/mndani-contacts