The Brightwell team were absolutely thrilled to welcome Martyn and Sue Olds on Monday 24 November. Martyn, the Men’s Club Captain at Kendleshire Golf Club, arrived with an extraordinary gift: a cheque for an incredible £10,000!

Sleep is fundamental to brain health and is inextricably linked to neurological conditions, acting as both a vital restorative process and a potential early indicator or risk factor for disease. Adequate, quality sleep (typically 7-9 hours for adults) is crucial for managing existing conditions, improving treatment outcomes, and potentially preventing or slowing neurodegenerative decline.

This guide was written specifically for those living with MS but is applicable to anyone living with other chronic or neurological conditions. Winter can be a challenging time when you’re living with a chronic condition. The cold weather can affect symptoms, darker days can impact mood, and fatigue often feels harder to manage.

Carers Rights Day 2025 will take place on Thursday, 20 November, spotlighting the critical need for the UK's millions of unpaid carers to “Know Your Rights, Use Your Rights”. This annual national campaign, organised by Carers UK, is a crucial opportunity to raise awareness of the legal rights, entitlements, and support available to those who dedicate their lives to caring for a family member, partner, or friend.

Yesterday evening, 13 November, we hosted our Annual Volunteers Thank You Party and what a fantastic night it was! Over 70 guests joined us for an evening filled with laughter, great company, and heartfelt appreciation. Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet, complimentary drinks, and fabulous live entertainment from Ben Hutcheson, the talented Bristol-based singer-songwriter. A big thank you to Ben for making the night extra special!

Acupuncture Awareness Week (AAW) is an annual campaign dedicated to educating the public about traditional acupuncture, a healthcare practice with roots in ancient China.

This is the latest article. In our “ Let’s Introduce You To… series. Today, we find out about one of our fantastic Volunteer Oxygen Operators, Howard Cheetham. Howard has had a fascinating career, and is incredibly well-travelled and always taking part in lots of adventures. Thank you, Howard, for everything that you do for us. You are very much appreciated.

Welcome to our October Newsletter! This edition is packed with news, events, articles and information. As always, so much has been happening at The Brightwell this month. Try and join us for some brilliant events, buy a ticket in our draw, take part in one of our excellent physio classes or come along for a coffee or lunch in our Café. We look forward to seeing you soon. Enjoy this newsletter!

Earlier this year, Keith Taylor, one of our founders and Senior Oxygen Operator, received a letter from King Charles to advise Keith that he had been nominated to receive a British Empire Medal, as part of the King’s Birthday Honours List. Keith received his award for services to those living with Multiple Sclerosis and Other Neurological Conditions.

We are keen to hear your views and suggestions about how the Centre can best support Carers, so whether or not you can come along to these sessions, we would love to hear from you. You can contact Wendy by leaving a message at Reception, or look out for the short survey form we are planning to make available in the next few months.