Groups and resources

60% of people with multiple sclerosis report feeling lonely and cut off from others. This may be for a range of different reasons, such as disability, fatigue, changes to cognition, stopping work, lack of confidence, poverty and more.

For this reason, we have created a list of local groups and resources that can be accessed as ways to stay social and seek support, with people who may be experiencing the same.

Bournemouth and Poole and the New Forest

Yoga for MS – every 2 weeks at 2pm – Jubilee Fields Pavilion Hall, Brockenhurst - Yoga | MS Society

Ladies coffee morning – monthly at 10:30am – Filly Inn, Brockenhurst - Ladies' Coffee Morning | MS Society

Day centre, exercise classes for different disability levels, yoga, hairdressers, coffee morning. Various sessions available. MS Centre Dorset, Ferndown - MS Centre Dorset - Bournemouth - West Parley (mscentre-dorset.org.uk)

MateS is a subsidised local support group run for people with MS by people with MS. Meetings are held throughout the year at the Hamworthy Club in Canford Magna and at the MS Centre in Parley. For more information email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Men's Shed – a group to support loneliness and isolation for men - Poole - Men's Shed Association Poole (helpandkindness.co.uk)

Women's support group (self-esteem, socialising and mental well-being) – Bournemouth/Christchurch - Women in Mind Bournemouth (helpandkindness.co.uk)

Day Hospice at Wareham Rugby Club – Tuesday 10-3pm activities or respite sits from Monday to Friday 9-5 (speak to your Dorset MS service for a referral)

Massage service – Touch Therapy – Lymington - Massage service - Touch Therapy | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK (mssociety.org.uk)

MS Dance class (movement therapy – Monday evenings - New Forest Arts, New Milton - Elevate: Dance for MS | Forest Arts Centre (forest-arts.co.uk)

West Dorset

Dorchester – Chair Yoga at Dorchester Yoga – multiple classes available - Yoga Classes – Dorchester Yoga and Therapy Centre

Dorchester – MS Support group - MS Support - Dorset Group | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK (mssociety.org.uk)

Bridport – Men's Shed – Loneliness and isolation support - Men's Shed Association Bridport (helpandkindness.co.uk)

Lyme Regis – Reformer Pilates MS Specialist Natalie Allen - Natalie Allen Pilates | Lyme Regis

Weymouth, Portland, Bridport, Dorchester – Need A Buddy - Neighbourhood support groups - Weymouth, Portland, Bridport, Dorchester and West Dorset (helpandkindness.co.uk)

North Dorset

Yeovil – MS Support group - MS Support - Yeovil & Sherborne District Group | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK (mssociety.org.uk)

Online

MS Society Dorset – Facebook Group Log in to Facebook to access this group

www.shift.ms is a social network community for people with MS.

MS Support | The Buddy Network | Shift.ms – free one-to-one support for people with a new diagnosis of MS

MS Together provides advice and support to people affected by MS, with a particular focus on those living with MS aged 18-35. They organise various activities, both online and face to face.

The MS Trust has a free and confidential helpline which gives support and practical information to make sense of MS. The helpline number is Freephone: 0800 032 38 39 MS helpline and information | MS Trust

The MS Society helpline gives emotional support and information to anyone living with MS. The helpline number is Freephone: 0808 800 8000 MS Helpline | MS Society

Weekly exercise group every Thursday MS Online Exercise Class | MS Society

MS Fitness Challenge – free online training - Fitness with Multiple Sclerosis - MS Fitness Challenge

Exercise online – Yoga, Pilates, general exercise sessions - Exercise sessions - MS-UK

Virtual befriending service to help with social isolation - VCD Virtual Befriending Service (helpandkindness.co.uk)

Online befriending service for people with MS - Befriending service | MS Society