The Muscle Help Foundation (MHF) is a UK charity creating memorable and meaningful experiences for children, young people and young adults living with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions.
Founded in 2003 by Michael McGrath MBE, MHF takes a different approach to supporting people affected by muscular dystrophy. Rather than providing medical treatment, the charity creates opportunities to try something new, achieve a personal ambition, build confidence and create lasting memories.
Muscle Dreams
MHF’s flagship programme, Muscle Dreams, brings these experiences to life. Some are highly personalised individual experiences, while others are group programmes designed around particular interests and opportunities.
Muscle Dreams have included flying, accessible powerboating, bushcraft and survival skills with Ray Mears, and MHF’s long-running Porsche programme. There are also virtual experiences and wellbeing programmes, giving people the opportunity to take part from home.
The experiences are designed around the individual and what would be meaningful to them. Muscle Dreams can take place in person across the UK or virtually.
More people can benefit
MHF has recently extended the age eligibility for Muscle Dreams, increasing the upper age limit from 28 to 35 years old. This means more young adults living with muscular dystrophy and related conditions can now access the opportunities offered through the programme.
The charity’s approach is about more than the experience itself. Research carried out with clinical psychology researchers at the University of Hertfordshire examined six years of data relating to Muscle Dreams. The findings identified benefits including increased confidence and self-esteem, greater hope and stronger social connections for participants and their families.
Could someone you know benefit?
People aged 8 to 35 living with muscular dystrophy or an allied neuromuscular condition can be nominated for a Muscle Dream. Nominations can come from the individual, family members, friends, carers, healthcare professionals, social prescribers, schools or hospices. Under-18s must be nominated by someone else.
To nominate someone for an individual Muscle Dream, visit the Muscle Help Foundation’s nomination page. MHF also offers a range of group programmes, with individual programmes opening for nominations when places are available.
Find out more about Muscle Dreams, current programmes and how to nominate someone at musclehelp.com.
