David's Diary: Inclusion and Diversity

CEO David Martin* explains more about the MS Trust's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Like many of us over the last few months I have been thinking more about the importance of equality and the impact this has on people's lives. Both the Black Lives Matter movement and the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and ethnic minority people have shone a light on issues of race and inequality, including the inter-section between inequality and health.

Racial discrimination and injustice remain all too prevalent across UK society and we all have a role in challenging and changing this. The MS Trust is here for everyone affected by MS – because anyone can be affected by MS. We aim to support all people affected by MS including Black, Asian and minority ethnic people.

We know we haven't done enough in this area in the past. Now we want to ensure that all voices and viewpoints are heard and to amplify the voices of people who are marginalised. To do this effectively we need to be proactive and ensure we look outwards, so that we understand and appreciate the diversity of people living with MS.

We need to be an organisation which is inclusive and diverse, and which fully reflects the community we serve. I recognise that we have significant work to do on diversity and equality at the MS Trust and that we must find ways to address the systemic issues that exist in who we are and what we do.

I am grateful to everyone who has reached out to us to tell us about their experiences, to ask us about why we aren't doing more and to challenge us to improve. We have taken time to listen and to reflect on these concerns and to start to plan how we will change.

• We're making it a priority to work more closely with our community and to build our knowledge. We want to better understand who we serve and the problems that they face.
• We're auditing our services and our organisation to identify where we need to improve. 
• We're working with our staff and trustees to agree a plan for change – and we will make sure that we put in the time and energy to follow it through and resource the actions we identify.
• We know that we have much to do and that we can't do this change alone. We need to work with and listen to our community. If you want to work with us as we change please get in touch.

*David Martin retired as CEO of the MS Trust in March 2024.