Our goal ...
Is to create a strong and effective community, one that is devoted to the care and support of people living with neurological conditions, as well as providing support for their families and carers.
We will work with you to create a plan that helps you manage your symptoms, we will also encourage and assist you to remain fit, active and mobile for as long as possible.
Meet our
Physiotherapy
team
Amrik
Lead Physiotherapist
Our physiotherapists are all members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, the Association of Physiotherapists with a Special Interest in Neurology and registered with the Health Professions Council. They are supported by a physiotherapist and care assistant, who have a keen interest in neurology.
When you attend for your face to face assessment it will be one of our friendly physiotherapy team who carry it out.
Bhumika
Physiotherapist
Millie
Rehabilitation Therapist
Max
Physiotherapist
Alex
Therapy Assistant
Lauren
Therapy Assistant
What we do
Our therapies are provided in a warm, friendly environment all with the aim to help reduce the physical, emotional and psychological effects of life with a neurological condition.
Situated in purpose built premises in Bradley Stoke, just off the M4/M5 interchange, we help people from the greater Bristol area, parts of Somerset, BaNES and South Wales. We have a state of the art physiotherapy gym, oxygen therapy suite and a variety of individual treatment rooms, housing the wide range of therapies and clinics on offer. We also have a welcoming kitchen area, providing a relaxing space to sit with a hot drink and chat with friends. All of our therapists have years of experience of working with people with neurological conditions.
Under 1% of the Centre's funding is statutory, we therefore rely on donations from the public, organisations and community groups to continue our vital work.
History
Following the introduction of Centres elsewhere in the country, a local group of people living with Multiple Sclerosis, their families and friends were brought together by Jackie and Ray Brightwell. With the support of ARMS (Action for Research into Multiple Sclerosis) a national organisation, they set up the first MS Therapy Centre to support people in the Bristol area.
The Centre was opened in Nailsea in 1985 and at that time only offered oxygen therapy. Over time physiotherapy, exercise and yoga were introduced. We soon realised how important access to on-going physiotherapy was for people living with long-term conditions and the nucleus of our now well-equipped and well-staffed physiotherapy unit was established.
Research into the benefits of Oxygen therapy has been on-going with many agreeing that it can help many conditions, not just Multiple Sclerosis. From the beginning of 2012 we opened our doors to anyone with a neurological condition, as well as to others through our trading arm with all proceeds going back to the Charity.
In 2016 discussions began with the members to formalise this expansion. At the Cente's AGM in 2017 it was agreed that renaming the Centre in memory of Jackie Brightwell would not only be a fitting tribute to a lady who gave so much to help so many but, was also a way of reaching out to those living with neurological issues.
In 2019, we begin the transition to The Brightwell - a Centre for neurological wellbeing and physical recovery. Our aims, strengths and core values remain the same as they were way back in the Nailsea days and we hope to continue to provide timely and effective help for the people who need us, well into the future.
As the Centre continued to grow counselling, reflexology and acupuncture were added to the therapies available. We also started to host various NHS clinics at the Nailsea Centre, these included an MS specialist nurse, a continence clinic and a speech therapist.
The Centre in Nailsea had been expanded to take in three industrial units but planning restrictions, the nature of the buildings and the cramped car parking facilities made improving our facilities and further expansion impractical.
On the 20th February 2012 we opened the doors at our brand new, purpose built Centre in Bradley Stoke.
The Centre was officially opened by The Princess Royal, Princess Anne on the 31st October 2012.
