In a new segment where we introduce you to members of your health team, this month we highlight the vital role Community Advisors play in supporting people living with MS and their families, helping them navigate services, challenges, and everyday life.
Featured Professional: Fiona, Community Advisor, MS South Canterbury.
Can you describe your role and how you support people living with MS and their families?
As a Community Advisor for Multiple Sclerosis South Canterbury, my role is to provide compassionate and practical support to people living with MS and their whānau. I advocate on their behalf to ensure their needs are understood and met by health and community services, and I provide education about the condition, treatments, and strategies to manage daily life. I also help create opportunities for connection, participation, and personal growth, supporting clients and their families to navigate challenges and access resources that improve wellbeing and quality of life.
What does a typical day look like for you in the community?
A typical day usually starts with me calling into the office to check emails and complete any necessary administration. I will then visit a few clients in the community. Most of these visits are booked several days or weeks in advance. Home visits are very important because they provide valuable information that might not come up in conversation. Being in a client’s home allows me to see how they are managing day to day and to identify any additional support they may need, such as an occupational therapist assessment, help with cleaning, showering, heating, or other general aspects of daily living.
What are some of the most common issues people reach out to you about?
Common issues people contact us about include needing equipment, home or vehicle modifications, and help with finances when money is tight. Many people ask for guidance around benefits and what support they may be entitled to transport to and from medical appointments is another frequent concern. We are also contacted for information, particularly about new disease modifying drugs and treatment options. Loneliness and social isolation are common challenges, and people often want to know how to join local MS groups and connect with others. Many clients also reach out simply to talk about their symptoms and to get advice.
How do you help people navigate services, funding, or supports?
Navigating services, funding, and support can be challenging for people living with MS in our region. We rely on our own fundraising to keep services running, which can take time away from directly supporting clients. Accessing external services is often slow because many are understaffed and overworked. In addition, our region has no resident neurologist, with specialists visiting only every six weeks to cover the entire area. Having worked in this role for a long time, I have developed strong connections across the community and with local services, which makes it easier to help people navigate these complex issues and get the support they need.
What’s one thing you wish people understood about community-based support?
One thing I wish people understood about community based work is that we are not a funding body with endless resources to give out. We work directly alongside people in our community, often supporting them through incredibly complex and challenging circumstances, but our own services are heavily dependent on grants, donations, and limited contracts. Funding is never guaranteed and is often tied to strict criteria, which means we cannot always access or provide the practical assistance people desperately need.
How do you work alongside healthcare professionals in the MS team?
I act as a bridge between the clinical setting and the person’s everyday life. Neurologists, MS nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, GPs and other allied health professionals focus on diagnosis, treatment plans and clinical management. My role is to ensure that what is discussed in appointments translates into practical, real world support at home and in the community.
Ultimately, working alongside healthcare professionals is about collaboration. We each have different roles, but we share the same goal: supporting people living with MS to maintain independence, dignity, and quality of life within their own communities.
What do you find most rewarding about your role?
What I enjoy most is knowing that even small actions can make a real difference. A returned call. A follow up email. An advocacy conversation. A reminder that someone is not alone in navigating their journey with MS.
Do you have a practical tip for people newly diagnosed with MS?
Start keeping a simple health notebook from day one. It does not have to be fancy. It can be a small notebook, a notes app on your phone, or a folder where you keep everything together. Write down symptoms, appointments contacts etc. For future reference.
Most importantly, remember this: you do not have to learn everything at once. Take it step by step. Focus on the next appointment, the next question, the next small adjustment. MS is a long journey, and building good organizational habits early makes a big difference.
Outside of work, what helps you recharge?
My family and my beautiful grandchildren are at the heart of everything. Time with them is pure joy. It is laughter, noise, cuddles, and perspective. They remind me what really matters and help me slow down and be present.
Creating wearable art gives me space to breathe in a completely different way. It allows my mind to shift from appointments and emails into imagination and possibility. Starting a wearable art show here in South Canterbury, with profits going back to Multiple Sclerosis South Canterbury, has made it even more meaningful.
Travel also refreshes me. Whether it is a short trip or something further afield, stepping into a new place brings inspiration and clarity. Seeing different landscapes, meeting new people, and experiencing something unfamiliar always leaves me feeling energized and ready to return to work with a full heart.
Thank you, Fiona, for providing this overview and insight into the role of a Community Advisor.
To find the contact details of your local regional society and their Community Advisor, here: https://www.msnz.org.nz/find-your-regional-ms-society/