Welcome and thank you for taking the time to visit us.

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults. Around 85,000 people in the UK have this degenerative disease. MS is the result of damage to myelin - a protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system. When myelin is damaged, this interferes with messages between the brain and other parts of the body. For some people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission while for others it has a progressive pattern. For everyone, it makes life unpredictable. Most sufferers are diagnosed in their 20s, 30s and 40s meaning that there are very few options available for long term care should this be necessary.

The Marie Foster Centre was built following a real need identified in the late 60s/early 70s when MS sufferers were placed in geriatric wards for respite and long-term care. It provides residential, respite and day care as well as support and advice on an outreach basis for people in the Barnet and Hertfordshire areas.

It is presently managed by the Barnet Primary Care Trust and also relies heavily on voluntary contributions both financially and in time to run activities for the Centre’s clients.