MS Society Preston Group

24/10/2026

🍂 Our Autumn Newsletter is here! 🍁

We're delighted to share the latest edition of the MS Society Preston newsletter, packed with news, updates, upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.

https://app.pdf.net/edit/MAcV-b1Kt18Ri3c3EEDa9

From our regular social meet-ups and Christmas celebrations to local events, activities and the latest MS news, there's plenty to catch up on!

A big thank you to everyone who continues to support our group and helps make our local MS community so special. ❤️

📖 Grab a cuppa, put your feet up and enjoy a read!

As always, please feel free to share with anyone who might find it useful.

24/10/2026

🧡 Living Well with MS in Wigan and Leigh – Information & Support Day

Although this event isn't taking place in Preston, we thought it might be of interest to some of our members!

The MS Society is joining forces with Wigan MS Therapy Centre for a special information and support day for people living with MS, their families, friends and carers.

📅 Monday 16 November 2026
🕥 10:30am – 3:00pm
📍 The Brick Community Stadium, Loire Drive, Robin Park, Wigan, WN5 0UH

There's plenty happening throughout the day, including:

🔬 Latest MS research – Hear directly from the MS Society Research Team about the latest developments and progress in MS research.

🤝 Local support and services – Explore a marketplace of organisations offering information, advice and practical support.

💬 Meet and connect – An opportunity to meet others affected by MS, share experiences and discover what support is available.

☕ Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Whether you're living with MS yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply interested in learning more, it promises to be an informative and worthwhile day.

🎟️ Register your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wigan-ms-information-event-tickets-2000255828027

We know many of our members are interested in opportunities beyond Preston, so please do share with anyone who might benefit! 🧡

12/10/2026

💙 Could you help train the doctors of tomorrow?

The Royal Preston Hospital is looking for people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to support medical students from the University of Manchester as part of its Patients as Educators programme.

The programme gives medical students the opportunity to learn directly from people living with health conditions, helping them develop a better understanding of patients' real-life experiences.

What's involved?
💬 Sharing your experiences of living with MS

🩺 Supporting student teaching and examinations

👩‍⚕️ Helping future doctors develop their knowledge and understanding of MS

The team is particularly keen to hear from more people living with MS, as they currently have relatively few volunteers with the condition.

Interested in getting involved?

📧 Email [email protected] for more information.

Please see the poster below for further details.

💙 Please share this opportunity with anyone who might be interested!

11/10/2026

🎄✨ Join Us for Our Annual Christmas Meal! ✨🎄

The MS Society Preston Group is delighted to invite people living with MS and their guests to our annual Christmas meal!

It's a lovely opportunity to get together, enjoy some delicious festive food and celebrate the Christmas season 🧡

📍 Barton Manor Hotel, 768 Garstang Road, Barton, Preston, PR3 5AA

📅 Sunday 6 December 2026
⏰ From 1pm

🍽️ Christmas Menu

Please see the accompanying image for the full menu.

💷 Meal Prices

Thanks to support from the MS Society Preston Group, we are pleased to offer subsidised prices for people living with MS and one guest.

For the person living with MS:
🎁 2 courses – £13
🎁 3 courses – £17

For their plus one (one guest):
🎁 2 courses – £13
🎁 3 courses – £17

Additional guests are very welcome at the following prices:
• 2 courses – £31 per person
• 3 courses – £36 per person

👨‍👩‍👧 Bringing children? Just let us know, and we can enquire about a children's menu and pricing.

📌 Booking Deadline – Monday 16 November

To reserve your place, please get in touch by Monday 16 November and let us know your menu choices.

If you'd like to sit with someone in particular, please let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate your request.

📧 [email protected]
📞 0300 323 9979

💳 Payment Details

Barclays Bank
Account name: MSS Preston Group
Sort code: 20-82-94
Account number: 40579009

Please include your name as the payment reference.

❗ Important Cancellation Information

If you book a place but are unable to attend, please let us know by Thursday 3 December. Otherwise, the full cost of the meal (£31 for two courses or £36 for three courses per person) will become payable for you and your guest.

🎅 We'd love to see as many of you there as possible! Whether you've joined us before or this would be your first group event, you'll be made very welcome.

🧡 We hope you can make it!

11/10/2026

🧡 Help make PIP fairer for people living with MS!

The UK Government is reviewing Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and there's still time to make our voices heard.

The draft recommendations include some positive proposals, such as better recognising fluctuating conditions like MS and reducing unnecessary reassessments.

But these changes aren't final yet, and we need your help to make sure the system is fairer for everyone living with MS.

✍️ Almost 12,000 people have already signed the MS Society's petition calling for change.

As Rachael, who lives with primary progressive MS, explains:

“People with MS should not have to repeatedly prove the reality of a lifelong, progressive condition. MS can fluctuate from one hour to the next, and many of its most disabling symptoms - fatigue, pain and cognitive difficulties - are invisible.”

💪 The more people who speak up, the harder we are to ignore.

👉 Add your name to the petition here:
https://campaigns.mssociety.org.uk/page/191990/petition

Please sign and share to help us reach more people.

Together, we can push for a PIP system built on fairness, dignity and respect. 🧡

I've signed the petition to Fix PIP. People with MS shouldn't have to fight to access the support they're entitled to. Join me and sign today

11/10/2026

☕ Join Us This Thursday for Coffee and a Chat! 🧡

Our next MS Society Preston Group social meet-up is taking place this coming Thursday, 15 October, and we'd love you to join us!

📍 Booths Café, Garstang (PR3 1EF)
📅 Thursday 15 October
⏰ 11.30am – 1.30pm

Whether you're a regular or joining us for the first time, everyone is welcome! Come along for a cuppa, a friendly chat and the chance to meet others.

🧡 Looking ahead – our final meet-up of the year:

📍 The Mill, St Catherine's, Lostock Hall (PR5 5XU)
📅 Tuesday 10 November
⏰ 10am – 12 noon

We hope to see you at one or both of our remaining meet-ups this year!

For more information:
📧 [email protected]
📞 0300 323 9979

20/09/2026

📌 Useful local support services in and around Preston

One of our volunteers recently attended an Information Day at the Intact Centre, where a number of useful local organisations were represented.

We thought we’d share the details in case any of these services may be helpful to members, family members or carers. Please contact the organisations directly if you’d like to find out more.

💬 PeerTalk Preston
A charity supporting people living with depression, anxiety or other emotional distress.
They hold two meet-ups each week in Preston.
📞 07719 562 617
🌐 peertalk.org.uk

🏡 Good Life Sorted
Provides paid practical help and support services, starting from around £20 per hour.
📞 01772 211 560
🌐 [www.goodlifesorted.com](http://www.goodlifesorted.com)

💜 Hope Prevails Preston
A charity supporting women and men affected by domestic abuse.
📞 01772 201 601
🌐 [www.hopeprevails.org.uk](http://www.hopeprevails.org.uk)

👥 REGENERage
Supports people aged 55+ across Preston, with activity centres in Bamber Bridge, Fulwood and Lostock Hall.
🌐 [www.regenerage.org.uk](http://www.regenerage.org.uk)

🤝 Social Prescribing
Social prescribing can help connect you with local activities, groups and practical support. Speak to your GP practice and ask about a referral to their social prescribing service.

💙 The Lancashire Carers Service
Support and information for unpaid carers across Lancashire.
📞 0345 688 7113 – Option 2
🌐 [www.n-compass.org.uk/get-support/carers/the-lancashire-carers-service/](http://www.n-compass.org.uk/get-support/carers/the-lancashire-carers-service/)

Please feel free to share this post with anyone who may find these services useful.

07/09/2026

Join the Preston MS Society Members WhatsApp Group 🧡

We’ve set up a Preston MS Society Members WhatsApp Group for people affected by MS living in Preston and the surrounding areas.

It’s a friendly space to chat, connect and share with other members — whether that’s sharing something interesting or useful, local shows and events, exchanging experiences and suggestions, arranging meet-ups, or simply keeping in touch.

Joining is entirely optional.

👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/LFe9kqZFfbXBSQopWwjCVt

A few simple guidelines:

Please be friendly and respectful to one another.
Please don’t share other members’ contact details or personal information outside the group.
Information shared by members should not be treated as medical advice.
Any buying, selling or giving away of equipment is an arrangement between the individuals involved and not the Preston MS Society Group.

We hope it provides another easy way for our members to connect, support and share.

04/09/2026

🎭 Bright Places – a show about living with MS

There’s a stage show coming to The Atkinson in Southport on Wednesday 30 September at 7pm that may be of interest to members of our group.

Bright Places is described as “a three-woman, one-woman show about Multiple Sclerosis” and explores life with MS with humour and honesty.

More information and tickets can be found here:
https://theatkinson.co.uk/events/bright-places/

We thought we’d share in case anyone fancies going! 😊

MS Society Preston Group
📧 [email protected]
☎️ 0300 323 9979

A three-woman, one-woman show about Multiple Sclerosis, MS for short, not to be confused with M&S or S*M.

25/08/2026

♿For Sale – Quickie Q50R Electric Wheelchair – £500

One of our members is selling a Sunrise Medical Quickie Q50R electric wheelchair, and we’re sharing the details in case it may be useful to someone in our community.

* 4 years old
* Folds flat in seconds
* Up to 30 miles on a full charge
* Weight: 37kg including battery
* Seat: 45cm deep × 43cm wide
* Upright: H100 × D80 × W60cm
* Folded: H40 × D80 × W60cm
* Test run welcome

Price: £500

For further information or to arrange to view/test the chair, please contact the seller directly at [email protected]

This item is being advertised on behalf of a third party. MS Society Preston is not involved in the sale and cannot verify the condition, suitability, working order or history of the wheelchair. Anyone interested should satisfy themselves as to its condition and suitability before purchasing.