The day began with an insight into the Society’s membership, structure and strategic aims.

Director of Operations Barbara Williams then presented the results of a nationwide survey on respite care carried out amongst 1,600 people with MS. Respondents had identified the need for a flexible, personalised approach to respite care, taking into account the multiculturalism of the UK and the promotion of independence and choice for people with MS.

Ed Holloway, Head of Care and Services Research, and Doug Brown, Head of Biomedical Research, informed the delegates of the Society’s newly established MS register, and the use of social media in the collation of data.

In the afternoon the Information and Education team presented the department’s future strategic directions and Nicola Tallett, Director of Fundraising and Marketing, shared the Society fundraising efforts and strategies with the group.

Each session ended with a question and answer session and the feedback from the delegates was extremely positive.

Bipasha Gupta, Hon. National Secretary, Multiple Sclerosis Society of India, said "The workshop was very useful, particularly the presentations on research and respite care, information and ideas which we can adapt and use in India."

"It has been great to understand how the UK MS Society works. It is a great format and I would encourage parallel workshops like this to accompany future Board Meetings as they ensure the meetings are relevant to all delegates," said Professor Mai Sharawy, from Egypt.