Who we are
About MSWA
MSWA is a non profit organisation providing vital support and services to people living with neurological conditions in Western Australia, as we strive to help our Clients and community to live their best lives. This includes supporting people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, motor neurone disease (MND), acquired brain injury and other conditions afflicting the brain and central nervous system.
Transcript
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's officially in 2023 after a raft of tests and I had a mixture of thoughts when I got my diagnosis. For one, I felt relieved. It gave me something to fight.
People can't see that you've got pain, that you're feeling fatigued. You can't describe it. Tests, tests, all the tests. Finally, two years later, they found lesions in my brain and down my spine. So, I straight away went on medication. The one great thing was living in Perth plus, MSWA supporting me through all my needs.
Every year, thousands of people across Australia get diagnosed with neurological conditions. That includes multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, stroke, motor neurone disease, and many more.
Through MSWA's $50 million invested in medical research over the last few decades, we really want to do a few things. We want to understand what our Clients who have these conditions face in everyday life and how we can improve things for them. We want to seek better medicines. We also want to tell the story of medical research and what that can do. We are a world leader in Australia in medical research, give people access to things that no one else in the world could get access to.
I really believe that MSWA's investment for purpose sets us apart from providers all across the sector in Australia. It really addresses critical funding gaps that other providers don't meet. It can help us fund things like important research, social connection and so much more.
I love to serve people. It's an honour to help others and it's an amazing place to work. MSWA has brought me a lot of opportunity to pay back that support and that understanding that I've received and pass it forward. When I first connected with MSWA for support, it was like a lighthouse amongst the rocks. And I still have the goosebumps thinking about that because it just made me feel hope and you know listened to and really supported. It was me in control, like no limits.
My physio team have gotten me to a stage where I feel that my MS is actually improving. I can now walk further than I ever could. I saw what society's perceptions were towards others with disability and I thought well I'm going to smash that. I'm going to change that. Take away that word ‘dis’ and just leave ability. Before I would always put things on the back burner and now I embrace life. It can be a disease that slows you down and makes you a little bit sad. You just got to break past that.
I want to be an inspiration that life doesn't end when you're diagnosed. It actually begins because MSWA are totally there for your support.
While we've achieved so much together over the past decades, there's so much more to do. And ultimately, we want to find a cure for MS and push for a better quality of life for people with neurological conditions. That's really, really tough. And we can only do that with your support. Whether that's through corporate partnership or sponsorship or fundraising, we really need you to get behind us and help us make that difference in the community.
Because behind every service we deliver, every connection we make, and everyone we support is a story of resilience, of hope, and a Client living life not limits.
With MSWA, I can enjoy everything that life has to offer.
They have my back always. I won't let it defy who I am.
Our vision and purpose
MSWA exists to meet the needs of Western Australians living with a neurological condition. In everything we do, we maintain a single-minded focus on the people we support.
Our purpose is to empower people living with neurological conditions to live their best lives.
Our vision is to help shape a world where people with neurological conditions have choices, options and support.
To achieve our vision and purpose, MSWA is working to truly understand and increase our social impact as a key focus, as we strive to co-create strategies and initiatives for, and with, the Clients and community we exist to serve.
Our strategy
The MSWA leadership team and its Board have been focusing on refining the organisational strategy and building on the solid foundations established under CEO Melanie Kiely's leadership over the past two years, as well as clarifying our priorities against our purpose.
Our refreshed five-year strategic plan is designed to position us for the future whilst making sure we can swiftly adapt to changes in our sector - a refinement of the key things we need to focus on to empower as many people as possible living with neurological conditions, to live their best lives.
The MSWA strategy is underpinned by three key levers for driving a positive impact in our community. These are:
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Innovative and Coordinated Care
Looking at new and improved co-designed models that drive even better outcomes for our Clients and community.
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Community Capability and Engagement
Getting back to our roots as a community for, with and by people with neurological conditions.
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Translating Research into Outcomes
Truly using our investment in research to change people’s lives and their health outcomes for the better.
Where it all started
MSWA, formerly known as The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Western Australia, was formed in 1972 by a group of people with MS committed to helping others access information and support.
More than 50 years later, this small community group has grown to a team of close to 1000 care support, allied health and clinical professionals, supported by our dedicated behind-the-scenes teams (from rostering to property and funding to philanthropy) who all work passionately to provide the best possible care to people across metropolitan Perth and regional centres of Western Australia.
As a not-for-profit organisation, the money raised through our fundraising initiatives, government grants and other income generating programs is directly invested to provide a range of supports and services to people living with neurological conditions.
In addition to our direct care services, we also provide funding for vital research projects into neurological conditions, in the hope of finding the causes, and ultimately a cure, for MS and other neurological conditions.
