Bay of Plenty Multiple Sclerosis Society Incorporated

Established in 2008, Bay of Plenty Multiple Sclerosis (BOPMS) Society is a charitable trust and we support to over 180 people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other neurological disorders, along with their families and carers, throughout the Bay of Plenty area.

Overall, we operate across three main areas, the two main areas are funded by grants, donations and fundraising:

1. The vast majority of our work involves social support and advocacy for our clients and their families.

2. The balance of our services involves our Service Support staff who arrange gym, pool and other exercise classes to be delivered, under contract, by specialist providers. Attendees make a small contribution towards the cost of these classes.

3. We are also a local information resource about MS and the impact on individuals and our community and a resource for our clients about new developments in treatment. This part of our work is funded through a contract our National Office has with the Ministry of Health.

Our Lead Fieldworker service is delivered under a social work model and “scope of practice”. Health and disability aspects of MS are dealt with separately by the health and disability agencies whom we liaise with, while we concentrate on the social complications associated with the condition.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, neurodegenerative disorder which can have a devastating effect on people’s lives. New Zealand has a high, and rising, prevalence of MS. It is usually diagnosed in young adulthood, affecting people during their ‘productive’ years – when working and raising families. Fatigue affects 75-90% of people with MS and, along with digestive system, eyesight and muscular problems, can be a very disabling complication. Fatigue in MS is not remediable with medication.