Our 40k for 40 years Crowdfunder is Now Live!

Please donate

WHO ARE WE?  

We are a fully accessible, inclusive, centre that provides specialist physiotherapy, oxygen therapy, clinics, mental health support, complimentary therapies, a café and social events for our community of 400+ individuals living with chronic neurological conditions. We are dedicated to the care of the physical and mental health of our service users.  We provide our services in a warm-non clinical environment where our members feel supported and included. Our effective interventions enhance life quality and empower individuals to be as mobile and active as possible. In 2024 we provided 17,135 appointments. Our interventions allow people to stay in, or return to the workforce, helping our community to take control of their finances. 

We support those living with conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Motor Neurone Disease, Functional Neurological Disorders, Stroke, Cancer, Diabetes, Long-Covid and many others.  

WHY IS THE BRIGHTWELL NEEDED?

One in Six people in the UK have a neurological condition. These conditions are life-long, incurable, often degenerative and disabling. They affect people of all ages and backgrounds and are most often diagnosed in young people.   Life after diagnosis can be challenging in many ways. Symptoms are unpredictable and life-altering. Every function of the body is affected. Pain, extreme fatigue, and loss of mobility are common. Financially, life changes too, 60% of sufferers have to leave the workforce, often along with their family members who take on an unpaid carer role. This lifestyle change can very often lead to people becoming isolated, lonely and immobile.

Aside from yearly consultant appointments, and emergency intervention in case of relapse, infection or flare, there is little that GPs can do to help.

Exercise and physiotherapy are proven to lessen symptoms, help maintain ability and functions and improve outcomes. However, the NHS is unable to provide ongoing, weekly physiotherapy intervention. Private physiotherapy is expensive and out of reach for our service users.  Regular gyms are not equipped with adaptive equipment and are too often inaccessible. Exercise classes in the community are not tailored to the unique needs of individuals with these complex conditions. These barriers can lead to people giving up on exercise altogether.

The Brightwell believes in life after diagnosis, we believe that everyone deserves to thrive.  Please help us to provide fun, inclusive exercise classes, adaptive gym equipment and one-to-one physiotherapy suitable for people with all levels of mobility. Your support will allow us to continue to provide all the therapies at The Brightwell. You will be helping people to stay well in both body and mind and your donations will allow us to continue to provide a centre of excellence for those affected.

WHY ARE WE CROWDFUNDING?

Since the pandemic, we have seen the price of everything rise. The energy crisis, the cost of living crisis, and the changes to National Insurance means that providing our services costs more and we are receiving less! It now costs £45,000  per month to run the centre.  We have been providing services for 40 years and we need to ensure that we are here for the next 40. We know that our interventions work and want to make sure that a 20 year old who is diagnosed today can count on our support well into the future. We need to raise £40,000 to meet rising costs, grow our services and ensure that people with neurological conditions are given an equal chance to thrive. 

HOW WILL WE SPEND THE MONEY RAISED?

Your generosity will go towards funding our excellent physio, rehab and oxygen services, and accessible gym equipment. It will allow us to provide new exercise classes, look after the mental health of our community as well as ensure that all those who need us can access the help they need. 

The new classes will be tailored to the needs of our community. Classes are suited to both seated and standing attendees, including wheelchair users and include: 

• Dance for Fitness 

• Medium Intensity Interval Training 

• High and Medium Level Yoga 

• Balance and Stability 

• Cardio 

• Strength and Power 

• Endurance. 

It will also allow us to continue our virtual classes for those unable to get to the centre. 

Funding will also provide 

• An online self-managed 6-week pain management and wellness programme, integrating exercise, CBT, nutrition and advice. Developed by our lead physiotherapist. 

• Provide Oxygen therapy to improve overall well-being, energy levels and symptom management. And keep people in work. 

• Help with the rising costs of running our centre.

£50  -  Supports the running of a group physiotherapy session for up to 6 people or an exercise class / Pilates / yoga for up to 12 people.

£40 - Will purchase an oxygen mask that can be used by anyone having Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

£30 - Will support an individual to have a 1-2-1 specialist physiotherapy session or a week of Hyperbaric Oxygen block sessions.

£20 -  will allow us to purchase 2 dumb bells used in exercise to maintain tone and strengthen muscles   

£10 - Will cover the weekly cost of a specialist exercise bike loan to someone who needs it.

HOW WILL THIS HELP PEOPLE?

Your donations will change lives! Each pound you give will go directly to providing therapy and support for people who need it. You may enable a Mother to continue to provide for her family, allow a Dad to take part in activities with his children, keep someone out of a wheelchair for longer, or help a wheelchair user maintain strength and condition to stay in employment.

You will also give our community of members a place to belong, a place where their needs are understood, and they can socialise in safety. 

 Exercise and staying active helps not only physical health but supports mental well-being too. Group classes tackle isolation and loneliness as do our café and social activities.

In a recent joint research study involving exercise classes at The Brightwell. Participants in the class reported:

50% Reduction in Pain 

47% Improvement in Overall wellbeing 

39% Improvement in mood 

As well as better balance, better strength, more motivation to be productive, and more confidence in social situations. 

Our service users say it best! 

“I go to a group class, it is fun as well as trying to increase my endurance, keeping me fit and battling my fatigue. It is also great to meet others. I always feel better after attending.” 

‘Where would I be without the centre - I dread to think! Stiffer, more tired, more helpless and needing more care than I do now’. 

“As well as the therapies I receive I enjoy the companionship at the centre. Without the Centre, I would undoubtedly be far more isolated as it is part of my routine to come.  Without the Physiotherapy I now receive I would be in much more pain.” 

Please consider donating, here’s to another 40 years! 

Please donate