The Brightwell | Find out more about The Brightwell

About The Brightwell

At The Brightwell, we are dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals living with chronic neurological conditions. With 40 years of unwavering commitment, we strive to empower our members by providing access to a warm and friendly, non-clinical environment that fosters independence, symptom management, and overall well-being.

Our Mission

To build a dedicated and compassionate community, committed to the care and wellbeing of individuals living with neurological conditions, their families and carers.

Our Goal

Is to provide a range of therapies and services to support and enrich the lives of those living with neurological conditions.

The Brightwell is...

A relaxed, happy and caring space, where people can share their experiences, build friendships and access support when it is needed.
An accessible building providing therapies and support services by qualified professionals.
A place where the members, volunteers and staff are the cornerstones of a thriving and vibrant community.
A hub for self-help and positivity.

Find Out More About The Brightwell...

Oxygen Therapy

Our therapies are provided in a warm, friendly non-clinical environment all with the aim to help reduce the physical, emotional and psychological effects of life with a neurological condition.

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 are delighted to have recently opened our Brightwell Café, offering a selection of drinks, hot beverages, and snacks, members can relax and catch up with friends in our comfortable lounge In the summer we have a beautiful terrace, large gazebo and garden area for all our visitors to enjoy.

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.

What We Do...

What Our Members Have To Say....

Click on the logos to see what others are saying about us on Google and Facebook

Our 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.

The four ton oxygen chamber being manoeuvred into the Centre by a large crane and truck

Princess Anne revealing the dedication and opening date plaque

Our Sustainability Pledge

The Brightwell is wholly committed to its Sustainability Pledge to be net Zero by 2050 and to have emmissions reduced by 50% by 50% by 2030.

We try to adopt a “green “approach in whatever we do.

We have been very fortunate that through focused fundraising campaigns, and incredibly generous support from a number of Brightwell 100 members we have achieved so much.

Solar Energy has been a major focus with 114 x 250kw panels being fitted in 2019, upgraded by a further 40 x 400 kw panels in 2023, with the addition of 3 x 14kw storage batteries being installed at the same time. Despite considerable increases in energy costs for commercial properties, the benefit of generating this amount of solar energy has made a significant difference to keeping our fuel bills to a manageable level.