The Brightwell, incorporating The West of England Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, offers specialised therapies including physio and hyperbaric plus many other support services. As a charity we rely on fundraising and donations to continue our work. Welcome to The Brightwell About Us At The Brightwell, incorporating the West of England MS Therapy Centre, we are dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals living with chronic neurological conditions. With over 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. We welcome members from the Greater Bristol area, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath, Wiltshire, South Wales and from all across the South West and the M4 corridor. There are always lots of social activities and events taking place and a huge and varied number of ways to be involved in fundraising and volunteering . Click here to find out how to Become a Member. Therapies that we offer Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Oxygen Therapy for Sports Injuries Physiotherapy Neurophysiotherapy Exercise Groups and Classes Online Classes FES Clinic Counselling Complementary therapies Acupuncture Massage and Reflexology Conditions that we support Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke Parkinson’s Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Sports Injuries Motor Neurone Disease, Functional Neurological Disorders, Long Covid Post Operative Recovery Cancer Therapies at The Brightwell Oxygen Therapy For Neurological Conditions Oxygen Therapy for Sports Injuries Oxygen Therapy for Other Conditions One-to-One Neuro Physiotherapy Groups and Classes Online Classes FES Clinic Specialist Clinics Support and Information Our Impact Report for 2024 This is the first time that we have produced an Impact Report in this format and we are delighted with how it gives a great representation of everything that goes on here at The Brightwell. The report is packed full of great images, facts, statistics and information. The report includes sections on Our Story So Far Who We Support Our Therapies A Letter From Our Chair A Letter From Our CEO 2024 In Numbers Fundraising Stories from Our Members Meet Our Volunteers Acknowledgements. Whether you are a New or Existing Member,Volunteer,Member of Staff or Supporter this is an excellent document, offering so much information regarding the Charity, its work and people, operational insights and community. You can view or download a copy of this report by clicking on the image above or click here .. A hardcopy version can be available on request, please call 01454 201686.

The Brightwell Fundraising Every donation to The Brightwell goes directly towards helping people living with neurological conditions, covering the cost of our face-to-face therapies, clinics and running costs. As a small, independent charity, we receive no direct funding from the Government, NHS or national charities, so we rely entirely on fundraising and voluntary donations to keep going. How to get involved Join a Brightwell Event Check out our Events page here to see what's coming up. Join one of our Major Events like the Abseil, come along to our Christmas Market or Summer Fair, buy some raffle tickets, or have fun at a Quiz or Bingo Night. Sponsored Events Taking part in a Half-Marathon, Skydive, Tough Mudder, Swim or Fun Run? Please contact community@thebrightwell.org.uk and our fundraising team will be happy to help. Fundraise Your Way There are lots of other simple ways to get involved, host a Coffee Morning at home, visit us for lunch or Afternoon Tea at The Brightwell Café, donate items to our in-house Shop or browse our Online Shop, pick up one of our Collection Tins, or buy tickets for one of our draws. Download Our Fundraising Pack Want some extra inspiration and support? Download our Fundraising Pack for hints, tips and ideas to help make your fundraising a success. Get in Touch Our fundraising team is here to help you at every step of your journey, from suggesting ideas and helping with planning, to supplying promotional materials, display boards, and giving your event publicity through our social media and website. You can email them at community@thebrightwell.org.uk

The Brightwell The Brightwell Lottery Play the new Brightwell Lottery for just £1 a week! Join our charity lottery for the chance to win exciting cash prizes while helping Brightwell provide vital therapy and support for people living with neurological conditions. Play Now! Win up to £25,000! Join our Lottery for the chance to win one of these prizes: 1st Prize - £25,000 2nd Prize - £1,000 3rd Prize - 5 x £20 4th Price 10 x £10 5th Prize - 20 x £5 When you play the Brightwell Lottery, you're not just entering a draw. You're helping people access the therapy, encouragement and support they need to overcome daily challenges and achieve their goals. And who knows? You might just win a fantastic prize along the way. Play Now! The promoter of this Weekly Lottery is The West of England MS Therapy Centre, Bradbury House, Wheatfield Drive, Bradley Stoke, BS32 9DB. Registered Charity Number 801155 (England & Wales). The West of England MS Therapy Centre is registered with South Gloucestershire Council to operate this lottery under registration number 752. For more information on responsible gambling please visit GambleAware . No under 18 allowed to enter. No prizes will be paid to anyone under 18 years of age. Terms and Conditions Lottery Policy Gambling License

As many of you may be aware, the Centre recently switched to a new clinical diary system called “Cliniko” to help manage our appointments. As a busy centre, we are always looking for ways to improve efficiency and more effectively manage the increasing number of people who come to us for support and therapies. After some steep learning curves, the team at the Centre are now using the system to manage and book all therapy appointments and services. This has represented a huge effort from staff and volunteers alike, and we are grateful for their total dedication and support as well as the patience of all our members whilst we have been getting to grips with the new system. As part of the new system being rolled out, we have also reviewed our processes and procedures to make sure that things continue to run smoothly. In respect of this, there are a few things that we would like to remind our members about: Missed appointments We appreciate that circumstances can change and that sometimes members may need to reschedule their appointments. We ask that you please let us know as soon as possible (with at least 48 hours’ notice) if you are unable to make your appointment so that we can offer the slot to someone else. We often have people who are waiting to be seen, so please help us to help them by letting us know if you can’t make it to the Centre for whatever reason. If centre users do not attend their appointments without notice, this represents a high cost to the charity. Please see our Cancellation Policy Check-in on arrival Please make sure you check in with Reception when you arrive at the Centre – this is important as we need to know that you have arrived for your appointment. Therapy Contributions We also ask that you make your contribution for your therapy as soon as you check in with Reception, before your therapy session starts. Alternatively, many members enjoy greater convenience by setting up a regular Standing Order payment (weekly or monthly) to cover their contributions instead. To find out more about Standing Orders, please visit our webpage or ask at Reception. Over the coming weeks, we will continue to settle into using the new system and will also be starting to explore some of its additional features, such as fully rolling out automated appointment reminders, which we hope will be of additional benefit to members. We will keep you updated about ongoing developments, so watch this space. Thank you again to everyone who has helped during this busy transition period and to all our members for your continued patience and support. Not a Member? If you are not yet a member, please check out our Join Us page to find out more. If you have any queries whatsoever, please call Reception on 01454 201686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk.

Image by prostooleh on Magnific We appreciate that there are no full bans in most of the water authorities where our members live, but thought this might be a useful article for your information. Water companies issue Temporary Use Bans (TUBs)—commonly known as hosepipe bans—it’s easy to feel the squeeze on how you care for your garden or outdoor spaces. However, there is an essential, often overlooked part of these regulations: disabled people, those with long-term health conditions, and individuals on priority registers are widely exempt. Here is what you need to know about hosepipe bans across the UK, why disability exemptions exist, and how to make sure you’re covered. What a Hosepipe Ban Actually Means When a regional water authority implements a hosepipe ban, the law prohibits standard domestic uses of a hosepipe, such as Watering lawns, flower beds, or potted plants Washing private cars or motorbikes Cleaning patios, paths, or outdoor furniture Filling or topping up domestic paddling pools, hot tubs, or ponds For most households, the rule is simple: you can still water your garden, but you have to carry a watering can or bucket instead. Why Disabled People Are Exempt Carrying a heavy watering can full of water back and forth across a garden is a physically demanding task. For people living with chronic pain, limited mobility, fatigue, or balance conditions, lifting and carrying buckets isn't just inconvenient—it poses a genuine health and safety risk. Water companies recognise this distinction. The goal of a drought restriction is water conservation, not physical strain or injury. If you cannot safely carry a watering can or bucket due to a disability or health condition, you are legally permitted to continue using a hosepipe for essential domestic tasks like keeping your garden alive or cleaning immediate safety hazards. Who Automatically Qualifies for an Exemption? While exact wording can vary slightly by water company, the standard exemptions typically cover: Blue Badge Holders: If you or someone in your household holds a Blue Badge, you are automatically exempt from hosepipe restrictions. Priority Services Register (PSR): Customers registered on their water provider's PSR for medical, physical, or mobility needs are exempt. WaterSure Tariff Customers: Households on a WaterSure tariff due to high medical water needs (e.g., conditions requiring frequent washing, such as Crohn's or skin conditions) carry automatic exemption status. Therapeutic or Medical Needs: Hosepipes used to fill pools or equipment specifically required for medical treatment or hydrotherapy are exempt regardless. Key Rule of Thumb: If you cannot make "reasonable adjustments" (like using a bucket or watering can) due to a health condition or age-related mobility issue, the restriction does not apply to you. How to Access Your Exemption In most cases, you do not need to apply for explicit permission if you fall under an automatic category (like holding a Blue Badge or being on the PSR). However, taking a couple of quick steps gives you peace of mind: Get on the Priority Services Register (PSR): Every UK water company maintains a free PSR. Joining ensures your supplier knows you need extra support during outages or restrictions. Keep proof handy: If a neighbour or passerby questions your hosepipe use during a ban, having your Blue Badge or PSR confirmation letter accessible helps quickly clear up any misunderstanding. Check local guidelines: Visit your specific water supplier’s website (e.g., Thames Water, Southern Water, Anglian Water, Yorkshire Water) and look up their Temporary Use Ban FAQs to confirm exact local wording. A Note on Responsible Water Use Exemptions exist to keep people safe and ensure accessible enjoyment of outdoor spaces. Water providers still encourage exempt households to use water mindfully where possible—for instance, using trigger nozzles to prevent runoff or watering early in the morning when evaporation is lowest. If you or a family member has a disability, don't feel guilty about using a hosepipe during a drought. The exemption is there for a reason: accessibility matters, even in a heatwave. Check on the situation in your area. www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/cyvj2lm2p14o

image source Magnific When you live with Fibromyalgia, the advice to "get moving" can feel like a bitter contradiction. How are you supposed to exercise when every muscle aches, fatigue weighs down your limbs, and a flare-up seems to lurk around every corner? It is completely understandable to feel hesitant or fearful of movement. However, clinical evidence and lived experiences consistently show that tailored, low-impact exercise is one of the most effective non-pharmacological ways to manage Fibromyalgia symptoms over time. TheGentle Paradox: How Movement Helps Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia affects how your brain and spinal cord process pain signals, essentially turning up the volume on sensory input. While intense or unguided workouts can trigger pain spikes, gentle, consistent physical activity helps reset that sensitivity in several key ways: Natural Pain Relief: Movement stimulates the release of endorphins—your body’s natural painkillers and mood boosters. Reduces Stiffness and Joint Stress: Inactivity can cause muscles to decondition and joints to stiffen, which ultimately exacerbates baseline pain. Gentle stretching and aerobic movement keep tissues flexible and nourished. Improves Sleep Quality: Deep, restorative stage-4 sleep is often elusive for people with Fibromyalgia. Low-impact daytime movement helps signal to your body that it is time to rest at night. Combats Fatigue: While it feels counterintuitive, mild aerobic exercise boosts overall energy levels and cardiovascular endurance over time, helping to fight chronic exhaustion. Key Principles for Exercising Safely The golden rule of physical activity with Fibromyalgia is "start low, go slow." Moving your body shouldn't mean pushing through excruciating pain. 1. Master the Art of Pacing Pacing is about finding your baseline—a level of activity you can sustain without causing a flare-up. Instead of pushing hard on "good days" and crashing for three days after, aim for small, consistent efforts every day. 2. Choose Low-Impact Activities High-impact running or heavy weightlifting can stress tender points and joints. Instead, look toward activities that support your body: Hydrotherapy & Swimming: Warm water supports your body weight, relaxes tight muscles, and reduces joint strain. Clinical Pilates & Yoga: Focuses on core strength, balance, controlled breathing, and gentle lengthening. Tai Chi: Combines fluid movement with mindfulness, helping reduce pain and improve emotional well-being. Gentle Walking or Stationary Cycling: Easily adjustable in time and intensity to fit your daily energy levels. Why Specialist Physiotherapy Makes the Difference Exercising with a chronic pain condition is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Standard gym routines or unguided workouts can easily lead to overexertion. This is where specialist physiotherapy becomes invaluable. A physiotherapist experienced in neurological and chronic pain conditions understands the delicate balance between active rehabilitation and symptom management. They can work with you to: Build a personalised, progressive exercise plan tailored to your daily capacity. Teach you how to monitor signs of exertion before reaching a flare-up threshold. Incorporate targeted manual therapy, posture corrections, and breathing techniques Support at The Brightwell If you are looking for guided support to help you move safely and rebuild confidence in your body, specialist resources are available. Specialist Physiotherapy classes and sessions can be found at The Brightwell, offering expert guidance tailored to chronic conditions like Fibromyalgia, including one-to-one physiotherapy, group classes and sessions, plus a great selection of complementary therapies. To find out more, please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/physio To book an assessment or to arrange a visit, please call 01454 201686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk