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On 8 May 2025, we mark the historic 80th anniversary of VE Day, with the peoples, families and communities of our great nation coming together to unite and celebrate 80 years of peace since the end of World War II in Europe that so many millions gave the ultimate sacrifice to achieve. VE Day 80 is not only a tribute to those who fought for the freedom we all enjoy today, but also a powerful reminder of the resilience and unity that have defined our country ever since. Everyone is encouraged to take part and gather in the streets, gardens, town and city halls, clubs and pubs, and at home too, and be part of this anniversary providing a day of joy, reflection, and celebration, as part of the Commonwealth’s 2.4 billion people, reaffirming our commitment to world peace, ensuring future generations understand and cherish its value. At 9am Town Criers will undertake the VE Day Proclamation as the VE Day 80 flags are raised, and at 12noon, Pipers will play a unique tune especially written for the occasion entitled ‘Celebratum’ from the top of the UK’s four highest Peaks. At 6.30pm, Cathedrals and Churches will ring out in united celebration throughout the nation, and at 9.30pm over one thousand beacons and hundreds of Lamp Lights of Peace will shine throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, with the flames from them all, representing the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the dreadful darkness of war. Across the nation, people will be coming together from all walks of life - in city and town squares to quiet village greens, and all other manner of locations at this special and unique one moment in time and sing the great British Hymn ‘I Vow To Thee My Country’, standing side by side in gratitude, honouring the many sacrifices that secured our freedom. “Together, we honour the past and celebrate a future built on unity, hope, love and peace". The Brightwell will be open as usual on Thursday, and we will be observing the 2-minute silence at 12 noon.

We are proud to be a member of the Neuro Therapy Network.  NTN  are once again partnering with a group of MS charities to deliver a joint campaign for MS Awareness Week. This year’s theme is  #MSConversations  encouraging people to open up about the different type of conversations they encounter, whether it’s with family and friends, employers or healthcare professionals.One of the great benefits of  being part of The Brightwell Community is that there is always someone to have a frank and open conversation with. These conversations could be with one of our members of staff, a therapist or a knowledgeable volunteer, but frequently  these conversations take place with other members. It is so important to talk about your condition and how you are feeling, what living with MS means and support you might need. Please use this MS Awareness Week to talk to others about your symptoms, concerns or your coping strategies and any issues that your experience from living with this condition. Maybe have a talk with a friend or family member that you have not opened up to before . #MSConversations

Our CEO Doro Pasantes and Geoff Mayell, Chair of Trustees cordially invite you to attend The Brightwell’s 2025 AGM on Thursday 22 May at 2pm to be held at the Centre or via Zoom. This year we are celebrating  our 40 year Celebration and this is being marked by a number of significant events including this year’s AGM. There are a number of important topics to discuss and it would be great to have as many members attend as possible. This invitation is open to all Members, Staff, Volunteers, Supporters and Centre Friends. The agenda and supporting information will be sent out to members shortly. The meeting will be followed by Beverages and Refreshments from the Café. If you are able to attend in person or would like to be sent a link to join via Zoom, please advise Reception by calling 01454 201686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk . We very much look forward to welcoming you to this year’s AGM.

Time has been flying by as usual and it has now been 8 months since we launched our new shop area at The Centre! It has been a great success, with members getting some great bargains and unique finds whilst helping to raise funds to support the Charity’s work. Thank you for all your donations, we have had some really lovely bits to sell.   We are often asked by people what sort of items we would be happy to receive for the shop, so we thought it would be a good time to set out what items would be helpful to us:   We are very happy to receive donations of items that are in clean, unsoiled, and in sellable condition, such as:   Clothing Shoes Handbags, purses, or wallets Jewellery Homeware/decorative items (not kitchenware) Books Games and puzzles (that are complete and in good order)   We are also very happy to receive donations of unopened gift sets, boxed chocolates or biscuits, or unopened alcohol that can be used for raffle prizes.   Things we are unable to accept:   Furniture items Electrical items (anything with a plug) Mobility aids or custom-made mobility items Used or opened health or beauty products DVDs, Blu-Rays, CDs   Please take these sorts of items to alternative charity shops or for recycling.   Please use the Recycling Bin in the car park area for clothes and shoes that are not suitable to sell in the shop, we will receive money for these items that are sold by weight.   If you are unsure about whether an item is suitable for donation, please check with Reception or staff in the office and we would be happy to help.   We would like to thank Janet and  Valerie  for all their help in sorting, pricing and displaying these donated items – the Shop area always looks great!   Thank you to everyone who has donated items and purchased from the shop. All proceeds from every item sold go back to the Charity and we are very grateful for your continued support!   Happy shopping!

Hi, I’m Lara, the Events, Marketing, and Communications Officer on the Fundraising team here at The Brightwell. I joined the Centre in January 2024, though my connection to the charity goes back much further - my Auntie joined as a member back in the Nailsea days, so The Brightwell has always had a special place in my heart. I come from a big family and grew up in Bradley Stoke. My working life began at 15, selling beauty products in retail. I saved up to travel around Southeast Asia when I turned 19 - a dream trip filled with sunshine, beaches, elephants, and vibrant cities! After my travels, I studied Marketing, Advertising, and Branding at University in Gloucester. Initially, I planned to bring my skills back into the beauty retail world, but I soon realised there are only so many ways to convince someone to buy a lipstick! After graduating, I had my son, Ellis, who’s now almost two. He’s my little whirlwind - cheeky, full of energy, and always keeping me on my toes. When my maternity leave ended, I was eager to finally apply my degree in a meaningful way. That’s when I discovered this role at The Brightwell. It felt like the perfect opportunity, especially given my personal connection to the charity. It’s been such a full-circle moment, from attending the fayres as a child to now helping organise them! In my role, I coordinate and run fundraising events such as the Charity Abseil and Fayres, as well as our in-centre favourites like Bingo and Quiz nights. I also design our marketing materials, both for in-house use and external promotions, help manage social media and update the website. This year is an exciting one for us as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary - watch this space for what’s to come! Our annual Charity Abseil is just around the corner in May at the Village Hotel, and we have some amazing members taking part. We’d love to see you there cheering them on! I look forward to meeting more of you at our events or around the Centre soon!

We are delighted to announce the trial of a completely new style of class for us here at The Brightwell. This new session has been developed by Millie Rutherford, our Rehabilitation Therapy Specialist. What is MIIT? Interval Training: Instead of exercising at a steady rate for pace, MIIT involves alternating between short bursts of planned exercise and brief periods of lower-intensity activity or complete rest.   Every exercise has been designed taking int account the needs of those living with a neurological or chronic condition. Who is this MIIT class suitable for? This class is aimed at those members with higher mobility and relatively good balance. Maybe, you are newly diagnosed or looking for a more challenging class but find classes elsewhere too tiring or unsuitable for your condition. What will the class include? Each 30 minute session will include: Upper Limb,  Lower Limb and Core  exercises (standing) Mixed exercises  to allow for muscle groups to rest Use of weights/dumbbells Interval training – 30 seconds on, 30 seconds rest Including Warm Up Upper Limb Exercises (standing) Core Exercises (standing) Lower Limb Exercises (standing) Cool Down When is the class? Every Tuesday 8.45am to 9.15am. If this class is popular and there is a demand, a face to face option will be considered. How much is the cost? The suggested contribution for members is £8 per session or £50 for a block of 10 sessions booked in advance. How do I join? Call Reception on 01454 201686 to book.  Millie will contact you to discuss the class further and will send you the link to join the class.

Tim Phillips, MD of Alchemy Systems is planning to run the Thames Path 100 to raise funds for The Brightwell. The Brightwell have a long established relationship with Alchemy Systems as they provide IT support for the Charity’s hardware and software packages. The TP100 is a 100 mile continuous trail race along the Thames Path from London to Oxford. The 100 mile course is a marked point to point race which takes runners from Richmond in South West London to the centre of Oxford. The course follows the meandering route of the Thames against it's flow and is flat and fast with the majority on groomed paths/ trails and paved pathway. There are some truly stunning sections of the route showing off the best of English riverside scenery and life on the Thames. This will be a grueling challenge. Tim has run a competitive 100km race in 2022, but this race presents many more challenges in terms of extra distance and continuous running! The race starts on 3 May. The event is organised by Centurion Running who will be offering support along the  100 mile route. Tim’s  fundraising target is to raise £1,000! You can support Tim by donating on his Just Giving page please click the link below. Tim Phillips is fundraising for MS Therapy Centre at Bristol Everyone in the Brightwell Community would like to give a massive heartfelt thanks to Tim and wish him all the best for a safe and successful completion of this awesome endeavor. Thank you Tim!

On Sunday 6 April, five brave individuals stepped up to the challenge of the London Landmarks Half Marathon, running proudly for The Brightwell! The London Landmarks Half Marathon is famous for its stunning route that winds past some of the city's most iconic sights. Libby, Becky, Nic, Hope, and Robbie took on the challenge running in support of The Brightwell. Not only did all five smash their personal time goals, but they also exceeded their fundraising targets - together raising an incredible £3,763! Libby after running the Half Marathon Libby, who manages a local gym, has been a long-time supporter of The Brightwell and decided to combine her passion for the charity with a personal challenge. The buzzing crowds, including her proud parents cheering from the side lines, gave her a big boost on the day. Her efforts paid off - she raised a fantastic £760! The experience has left her feeling inspired, and she’s already on the lookout for her next race. Ultra Marathon Runner Robbie also ran for us as training for his next big race! He raised an amazing £658 for the Centre. Becky during the Half Marathon Becky's twin sister Lucy is a member of the Centre and attends for Oxygen Therapy. Becky really wanted to give back to the Centre for the support provided to her sister, so took on the challenge of the Half Marathon and raised £1,110. Becky smashed her fundraising target and exceeded her expected running time. Lara, The Brightwell’s Events and Marketing Officer, was there to cheer on her mum, Nic, and friend, Hope, as they ran to support the Centre, raising an impressive £1,233. The Brightwell has been a part of their lives for many years - Lara’s aunt was a member during the charities early days in Nailsea and continued her involvement after its move to Bradley Stoke, making this fundraising challenge all the more meaningful. The race day was filled with sunshine, smiles, and plenty of Brightwell flag-waving among a sea of charities, making it a truly memorable occasion. A huge thank you to all of our incredible 2025 London Landmarks Half Marathon runners! We’re so grateful for your dedication and support. Be sure to keep an eye out for the running events we’ll be involved in throughout the year - and if you’d like to join Team Brightwell in the future, we’d love to hear from you!

As part of MS Awareness Week we are working with other MS organisations to host an informal session here at the Brightwell. The theme for this year is “MS Conversations” so come along, have a cuppa and talk to us. We are delighted to be hosting this event organised by the MS Society and Overcoming MS. MS Awareness Week is from 28 April until 4 May 2025 We know finding the right words can be hard at times but it doesn’t have to be. We want to bring together those affected by MS, whether you live with it or whether someone close to you does – this place and time is for you. Whether it’s talking to a family member about their diagnosis or asking an employer for support. Through this campaign, we want to show people that talking about MS can be empowering and helps to educate others about the condition. We will make the space family friendly so please do feel free to bring children along. ‘MSConversations This is a free event, please click on the link below to book your tickets – see you there! Book Tickets

image courtesy of Cakesmiths Treats in the Brightwell Café With Easter fast approaching, we’re egg-cited to introduce some special treats at the café, including a limited edition Cakesmiths Mini Egg Cookie Bar! These chewy vanilla-infused cookie dough bars are packed with delicious milk chocolate chunks, topped with pastel mini eggs and drizzled with white chocolate! So, next time you’re at the Centre, stop by ay the Café and see what treats are on offer as well as our fantastic, great value for money menu. Easter Draws There is still time to take part in one of our Easter Egg Prize Draws, enter to be in with a chance of winning a luxury Hotel Chocolat Patisserie Chocolate Ostrich Easter Egg. You can buy your tickets at Reception or via the website: The Brightwell | Luxury Easter Egg Prize Draw  We also have some spaces left for our 100 square draw, where you can enter to win a 1kg Belgian Chocolate Easter Egg, kindly donated to us by the Bradley Stoke Lions. Buy your tickets directly at Reception for your chance to win this chocolatey wonder! Charity Easter Trail We have launched some Easter fun for little ones – our Easter trail maps are now on sale – you can buy these online here: The Brightwell | Easter Egg Trail Map  or from Reception.   It’s a great activity to keep the kids entertained over the school holidays and they can bring their completed trail maps to The Brightwell to claim their prize! Whatever your plans are over the coming weeks, take part in some or all of these  lovely Easter events at the Brightwell!

The Brightwell 100 is a network of businesses and corporate donors, who all have the shared aim of supporting the work carried out at The Brightwell, through fundraising, by donated goods & services, and volunteering. The Brightwell 100 initiative was  launched in February 2022   How does the Brightwell 100 work? There are a number of ways the businesses can be  involved. Make a Donation Please click on the button The Brightwell Wishlist One aspect of joining this unique network is by sponsoring or donating to something specific from our Wishlist. Many of our sponsors really like the fact that they can choose exactly where their money is spent and where it will be used. The items on our Wishlist range from a contribution to one of our major projects, through to paying for Counselling Sessions or purchasing items that will enhance our Service Users experience and therapies. Regular Contributions by Standing Order You can also make a regular donation, as a general donation or for a specific purpose, via a Standing Order. If applicable you can add 25% to your donation via GiftAid. Donate via our JustGiving page Please make a donation via our Brightwell 100 JustGiving page, by clicking on the Logo above.   Here is our latest April 2025 Wishlist What to do next Visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/brightwell-100 For further information please contact Caz Blake-Symes, Trustee and Brightwell 100 coordinator. email caroline.blake-symes@thebrightwell.org.uk Thank you for your interest in The Brightwell 100.