Stone MS-UK centre to close in March

The Stone-based MS-UK Staffordshire centre will be closing in March after the national MS-UK charity withdrew funding. The volunteers who run the centre, however, want to continue providing their vital services for people with MS and are looking for a new venue.

MS-UK Staffordshire, which was previously called SAMS, celebrated its 10th anniversary last year – more on that HERE. It provides a huge range of support services for people with MS and their families but now has a fight on its hands to make sure it can continue, although group volunteers are determined that it can still have a bright future.

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Volunteer Chris Green, who runs a Wednesday morning exercise group at the centre, said: “On Wednesday 19th February MS-UK Staffordshire had a visit from the new chief executive Amy Woolf. We were expecting to welcome her and discuss the way forward but we were given the devastating news that MS-UK were withdrawing their support and as of 21st March would no longer fund our Whitebridge venue in Stone.

“We wish to thank all who have given their support locally over our 10 years, but watch this space – we are not gone yet! We are actively seeking a new venue with disabled facilities and we will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes!”

Amy Woolf, the chief executive of MS-UK, said: “The decision to close the Staffordshire Centre was a strategic decision based upon a review of all services provided by us. The group intend to carry on meeting and look to continue providing the services they do. I can confirm that we will be leaving any equipment and furniture that is not owned by third parties for the group to use in future.”

If you would like to help the group to secure their future, please email eg_sams@ntlworld.com or connect with them on their Facebook page HERE