Independent living refers to a range of potential sources of support for people affected by MS. An internationally-defined definition of independent living for disabled people generally refers to the following:

• Information (on a wide range of topics, not just MS)
• Education
• Housing
• Advocacy
• Access to support services (social care and health services, Access to Work etc)
• Counselling
• Technical aids (telecare, aids and adaptations)
• Transport
• Employment
• Access to the built environment
• Income/benefits

A key area of national policy, which is of particular significance to the independent living agenda for people affected by MS, is that of 'personalisation'. Julie Jones, OBE, chief executive of the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) describes personalisation as '... thinking about public services and social care in an entirely different way – starting with the person rather than the service. It will require the transformation of adult social care'.

Local activity
In the South West, the MS Society is working with people affected by MS and local authority personalisation leads. During the summer of 2009, for example, the Society organised two personalisation events in Devon, through which helpful channels of communication have been established. This ongoing and developing process is described by MS Society Vice-chair and trustee, Stuart Nixon, who chaired both events, as one in which people affected by MS and Devon County Council are now actively engaged. A report of the most recent event can be downloaded here

The national picture
The MS Society has a national Independent Living programme and the following videos feature the Society's strategic lead for independent living, Brenda Joyce, talking about what the programme hopes to achieve and how, as well as providing examples of some of the projects developed to date. She also details how people can get involved in the independent living programme.