In 1985 The West of England MS Therapy Centre began providing help and support to people living with neurological conditions from a tiny a trading estate in Nailsea.
We are proud to say, thanks to the hard work of the Brightwell team and our amazing volunteers the Centre is still open and we are offering our complete range of therapies.
The Brightwell is open and we are here to provide support for whoever needs it.
The advice for travel during the current lockdown states that you can only leave your home for a reasonable excuse, citing charitable, volunteering, medical appointments and treatment as a reasonable excuse, but you must adhere to social distancing, maintaining a distance of 2 metres between yourself and anyone from outside your household.
We have drafted a letter (available to download below) if you are travelling to the Centre to produce should you be questioned.
We recommend that all of our members read the guidance available on the government website HERE. Within this guidance people living with chronic neurological conditions, such as MS, are defined as 'clinically vulnerable' but the guidance further states that there is no requirement for this group to shield, the recommendations are that if you are in this group you continue to socially distance, wear a mask, wash your hands regularly and sanitise any frequently touched areas in your home or work place.
If you are classed as 'clinically extremely vulnerable' you will receive a letter from the government advising you to shield, we would advise you not to travel to the Centre if you receive this letter. If this is the case our Zoom exercise classes are still running and if you need any further support you only have to call us.
To further reassure you we are constantly reviewing our operating procedures, we and these available for you to read below.
If you have any concerns, any questions or you need some help please don't hesitate to contact us.
We are continuing to offer virtual exercise classes via Zoom, to register your interest email Louise HERE and If you wish to attend physiotherapy you must fill in a consent form and read the 'Risks of transmission' document, both of these can be found on our physio page, we will be unable to offer you any type of physiotherapy appointment until this is completed.
Attending the Centre does now come with some extra precautions for your safety and ours. Before you visit, please take a moment to read through the information in the sections below. When you are at the Centre you must wear a fitted face mask at all times, if you do not have one we have single use face masks available at reception for £1 each.
Remember if you have been in close contact with someone with a confirmed case of Covid or you are suffering from any of the symptoms associated with Covid you must not visit the Centre. You must self-isolate and follow the recent guidelines outlined by Public Health England.
If you have requested a Covid test due to feeling any of the symptoms of Covid or because of contact with a confirmed case of Covid you must not visit the Centre until you have received a negative test result, nor should you attend the Centre if you are awaiting the results of that test.
Anyone who has to have a test as a routine part of their job, i.e. a carer, families taking part in lateral flow testing for the return to school or people required to take part in surge testing can visit the Centre unless they've received a positive result.
If you are interested in joining the Centre, through either the charity or trading side of The Brightwell; more information on what to do can be found on the Join page of the site.
We are, as we always have been, committed to helping our members manage their symptoms and together we will emerge stronger,
with best wishes from
Doro, the team and trustees
The information on this page was updated on 02 March 2021
Covid-19 Outbreak
Management Procedure
(COMP)
Centre Operating
Procedures
(COP)
Reception Risk
Assessment
(RRA)
Arriving at the Centre
When you arrive please park in one of the designated parking bays.
You then need to carry out the five steps below before you enter the building, this procedure will be applicable every time you visit and for every visitor.
CALL
Phone reception on 01454 201 686 from inside your car, if you don't have a mobile toot your car horn.
ANSWER
You'll be asked some quick questions by one of the team to determine if it's safe for you to enter.
WAIT
When you speak to the team they'll give you a time to enter the building. Wait in your car until your allotted time.
MASK
As you leave your car put on your mask, this can be your oxygen mask or a fitted face mask.
SANITISE
Upon entering use the sanitising station opposite reception. Inside remember to maintain a 2 metre distance from other people.
TRANSPORT
If you are arriving by foot, on bicycle or using your mobility scooter we will have a designated waiting area for you.
You will still need to call reception when you are outside the building.
Unfortunately, for the moment, there are no waiting facilities for members, their carers or family.
Facilities at the Centre
TOILETS
They will be allocated by therapy ie. those attending oxygen will use the toilet nearest oxygen, physio will use the toilet in physio etc...
REFRESHMENTS
There will be no facilities available for you to make hot drinks and the 'sandwich van' is no longer visiting.
SANITISING STATIONS
Antibacterial hand gel and hand wash are available for your use throughout the Centre.
SOCIALISING
To minimise social contact there is no seating available for socialising within the Centre
WIFI
Is available for free throughout the Centre and oxygen chamber.
PROTECTIVE MASKS
Although we do provide oxygen masks for people attending oxygen those with physio appointments should wear their own fitted face mask, if you do not have a mask you can buy a single use one at reception for £1.
Everyone who enters the building must wear some type of fitted face mask.
