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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. 40k for 40 years of future care In 2025, The Brightwell turns 40, an incredible four decades of supporting people affected by neurological conditions through specialist therapies, community, and care. To celebrate, we’re launching our biggest campaign yet. We’re raising £40,000 in just 6 weeks to fund vital physio, therapy, and exercise classes to ensure we can be here for those who need us most, now and in the future. Why 40 FOR 40 Matters Every pound raised helps someone living with MS, Parkinson’s, ME, Fibromyalgia, or over 600 other neurological conditions. It supports our members and those who haven’t even found us yet with access to life-changing care and connection. How you can help Donate Now More information... For further inforation about other therapies at The Brightwell, please click on the following links Become a Member Oxygen Therapy Physiotherapy Support Us Donate Events Corporate Donations Leave a Gift in Your Will Volunteer Newsletters Click on the logo to sign up to our blog.

The Brightwell

The Brightwell

We want everyone to use our site and are commited to doing so. Accessibility Statement Accessibility statement for www.thebrightwell.org.uk The Brightwell website is run by The West of England MS Therapy Centre Ltd. We are committed to ensuring our website is accessible to as many people as possible, regardless of ability or technology. We want everyone who visits our website to have a positive experience. This means you should be able to: change colours, contrast levels and fonts increase the font size zoom in up to 300% without text spilling off the screen navigate most of the website using a keyboard navigate most of the website using speech recognition software listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the latest versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver) We have also aimed to make the content on our website as clear and simple as possible to understand. Customising your device My Computer My Wa y provides free online resources that can help you customise your device and make it easier to use. These include: how to adjust your computers visual settings how to navigate a site using a keyboard how to make a device talk to you How accessible this website is This website is built using valid HTML5, CSS and JavaScript and, where possible, follows the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, levels A and AA. The site is responsive and designed to work across desktop, tablet and mobile devices. It has been tested across a range of modern browsers. Known accessibility issues Feedback and contact information While we aim to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, we are aware that some parts of the website are not fully accessible. These include: some videos do not yet have captions, subtitles or transcripts some PDFs and downloadable documents are not fully accessible some images do not have appropriate alternative text some parts of the website are not fully accessible using a keyboard some online forms can be difficult to navigate using only a keyboard some colour combinations do not meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA contrast requirements We are actively working to address these issues. If you need information on this website in a different format, please contact us via: email: community@thebrightwell.org.uk call us on: 01454 201 686 We will consider your request and get back to you in five working days Reporting accessibility problems with this website If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we are not meeting accessibility requirements, please let us know. Your feedback helps us improve the website for all users. You can contact us using the details above. Please include as much information as possible about the issue you experienced. Complaints Accessibility regulations are enforced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). If you are not satisfied with how we respond to your accessibility complaint, you can contact the Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS) for independent advice and support. Non-accessible content Video and audio content We aim for all our video/audio content to have at least one of the following: subtitles captioning a transcript Some older video and audio content does not currently meet this standard. We are working to improve this over time. Downloadable documents Some downloadable resources, particularly older PDFs and Word documents, may not be fully accessible. We are working towards improving the accessibility of these documents and are exploring alternatives to PDFs where possible. Colour contrast Most of the website meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA colour contrast requirements. We are reviewing and updating colour combinations that do not yet meet these standards. Third party content Our website includes some third-party content and functionality. While we aim to work with accessible providers, we cannot always guarantee the accessibility of third-party services. What we're doing to improve accessibility We regularly review the accessibility of our website through: manual checks by our content team automated accessibility testing tools Accessibility improvements are prioritised as part of our ongoing website develop ment. Preparation of this accessibility statement This statement was prepared in August 2022. It will be reviewed on a six monthly basis. This statement was reviewed in February 2026 and will be on a six - monthly basis.

The Brightwell is a charity supporting people to live well with their neurological condition. We receive no government, or NHS, funding and rely upon volunteers and fundraisers so that we can continue to offer our help and support. How to Support Us Fundraise Volunteer Donate Shop Brightwell 100 Gift In Will How Your Fundraising Will Help Every donation made to The Brightwell goes directly to helping people who rely on our therapies. We use donations to help cover the cost of face-to-face therapies, clinics, and social events for people living with neurological conditions. These therapies can be expensive, so your support helps make them more affordable in the long term. The Brightwell is a small charity, not part of a larger group, we don’t get any direct funding from the Government, NHS, or big national charities. That means we rely entirely on fundraising and voluntary donations to keep going. You can choose how your donation is used: Support someone you know with their therapy costs Choose an item or project from our Brightwell Wishlist Below are just a few ideas of how you can get involved. Join a Brightwell Event Check out our Events Section and Blog for more information. You can join in one of our Major Events like the Abseil, come to our Christmas Market or Summer Fair, buy some draw tickets or have fun at a Quiz or Bingo Night. Sponsored Events If you are taking part in a Half-Marathon, a Skydive, a Tough Mudder, Swim or a Fun Run, we would be exceptionally grateful if you could support us in your challenge. Please contact community@thebrightwell.org.uk where our fundraising team will be happy to help. Other ways to Support Us… Have a Coffee Morning at home Come for Lunch or Afternoon Tea at The Brightwell Café Donate items to our in-house Shop Buy rrom our Online Shop Have one of our Collection Tins Buy Tickets for one of draws Meet our Fundraising Team Our fantastic Fundraising Team are here to help you at every step of your fundraising journey. Whether you are planning a coffee morning at home or organising a team for a sporting event, we will support you. We can help by Suggesting ideas Helping with planning Supplying promotional materials Supplying display boards Giving your event publicity through our social media and website. Contact the team: community@thebrightwell.org.uk Victoria Head of Fundraising (Grants and Trusts) Lara Events, Marketing and Communications Officer Corporate Fundraising Please click here to visit our Brightwell 100 page to find out how to join our supporters' network and become a Corporate Supporter. Gift in Will Make a Difference That Lives On Give the gift of therapy, support and friendship by remembering The Brightwell in your Will. Leaving a financial gift to The Brightwell will have a direct and positive impact on those living with chronic neurological conditions. Your gift will enable individuals to be supported by our wonderful Centre. Please visit our Gift in Will page. Thank you.

Back for 2023 it's the Brightwell Easter Egg Hunt. Explore Bradley Stoke with the little ones, enjoy some fresh air and collect all the letters to win an Easter treat Bradley Stoke Easter Egg Hunt 2024! Egg-citing times! The hunt is back for 2024! Last year’s Easter Egg Hunt was a great success raising a brilliant £2,200 for the Centre & we had some excellent feedback from participants; “My children and I have really enjoyed the Ea ster egg hunt tha t The Brightwell Centre organised. We found paths we never know existed and walked/scooted much further than we would have. The displays were brilliant and picking up our prizes at the end made it even better. Hope you do it again next year!” – participant, Claire Similar to last year, families will follow trails around the Bradley Stoke area to search for hidden letters displayed on decorated Easter eggs, that are being hosted by the community. “Really enjoyed our experience of decorating our front g arden for the Easter trail was lovely to watch all the families come into the street looking for the letter! We loved doing the trails as a family ourselves as well” – Host and particip ant, Bea Once all the letters have been found along each trail, children can try to spell out the Easter word or phrase. On completion of all four trails, families can bring their completed answer sheets to The Brightwell to receive an Easter *surprise for their children and enjoy a fun photo opportunity to remember this event *(one Easter surprise per child per completed trail pack). There will also be the option to enter the Brightwell Easter raffle with some brilliant family-friendly prizes up for grabs - so don’t miss out! We hope this year’s hunt will be just as popular as last year and that the Centre will benefit from raising further vital funds, whilst delivering a fun, family even t for our local community. Get your Easter Trail Maps here The Egg Hunt will be available to complete during the Easter School Holidays from Thurs 28 until Sunday 14 April For more information please contact community@thebrightwell.org.uk EGGs-tra prize draw tickets here Thank you to this years very kind trail sponsors!

Throughout the year The Brightwell organises a wide range of social and fundraising events. These events range from social evenings held at the Centre such as Quiz and Bingo Nights, through to large community events such as our Colour Run and Abseil. Come and join in soon! Project01 Project02 Project03 Project04 Project05 Upcoming Events Valentines Quiz Wed 25 Feb Bradley Stoke More info Tickets Bath Half Marathon Sun 15 Mar Bath More info Tickets Charity Easter Egg Trail Fri 03 Apr Bradley Stoke More info Register here London Landmarks Half Marathon Sun 12 Apr London More info Tickets Events Gallery Frozen Princess Show 6 December 2025 Christmas Market 29 November 2025 Members' 40-Year Celebration 19 June 2025 Corporate Abseil 16 May 2025 Halloween Party 26 October 2024 Colour Run 9 June 2024 Corporate Abseil 10 May 2024 Pink Moon Swim 19 April 2024 Winter Solstice Sunrise Swim 22 December 2023 Christmas Market 3 December 2023 Abseil 13 September 2023 Colour Run 11 June 2023

The Brightwell offers expert Functional Electrical Stimultion (FES) assessments and advice for foot drop and gait issues at our Clinic in Bradley Stoke, Bristol. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a treatment that applies small electrical charges to a muscle that has become paralysed or weakened, due to damage in your brain or spinal cord. The electrical charge stimulates the muscle to make its usual movement. In MS and other neurological conditions, it is mostly used as a treatment for foot drop, where disruptions in the nerve pathways between the legs and brain mean the front of your foot cannot be lifted to the correct angle when walking. Histor y FES was first developed in the United States in the 1960s, where it was initially tested in stroke patients. Although early results were promising, it wasn't used regularly in clinical practice until much later, as it was very much seen as an experimental treatment. Research on its use in stroke for both foot drop and to assist finger movements, was first published in the late 1970s. In the mid-1980s, a group based in Salisbury in the UK started to look at using FES. Originally their work was in people with spinal cord injuries; from this initial work they went on to develop devices for people with MS in the early 1990s and it continues to be used today. FES is currently being investigated to see if the technique can help with swallowing, hand and arm function, and even breathing problems for pulmonary disease patients and for stroke patients. It has several potential future uses in MS. How does FES work? A FES device consists of a control box, about the size of a pack of cards, with a battery and electrodes. For foot drop, the device is usually worn in a cuff below the knee. This is where the electrodes can stimulate the nerve that goes to the muscle that would normally lift the front of your foot. At the right moment in your gait, when your foot is about to lift up to be swung forwards, the FES device stimulates the nerve and lifts the foot. The stimulation stops when the foot hits the ground again. It may take some time to adjust the timing specifically for you and your gait. Some FES devices have a sensor that is worn in the heel area, to help with the timing, but in modern devices that is optional. This means that the FES device can be worn with bare feet or sandals. What are the benefits of FES? Research and experience has shown that treatment with FES produces a more normal walking pattern, enabling people to walk faster, further and with less effort. It can also help build confidence in walking and increase independence as well as reducing the risk of trips and falls. As well as being a treatment for foot drop FES can also be used in rehabilitation, complementing physiotherapy techniques, often to assist with movements in muscles that have become weak. This allows you to build up strength and range of movement. This may also help with reducing spasticity and sometimes in reducing swelling, depending on the cause. What side effects could I get with FES? The electrical stimulation causes a tingling 'pins and needles' or buzzing sensation on the skin, much like a TENS machine. Ensuring that wires and pads are in the correct position can help minimise some of these sensations. For most people this is not a problem. FES may take a little bit of getting used to. Your physiotherapist may need to help you relearn a comfortable gait, as old habits that helped you manage your foot drop are no longer needed. You may have some soreness in your legs, hips or torso as you learn to use different muscles to walk. Very occasionally people find that the stimulation or the electrodes causes irritation of their skin. Using hypoallergenic electrode patches or asking your Brightwell physiotherapist about changing the type of stimulation that is used can often solve these problems. You will be provided with your personal set of pads and electrodes at your first consultation. Who can use FES? If you have difficulty with walking due to foot drop, you may benefit from FES. However, as FES stimulates the existing nerves in the legs, it is important that your nerve fibres between the spinal cord and the muscles are not damaged. To be suitable for the treatment, you need to be able to walk, even if only for a few metres with a stick or other walking aid. Typically, you will have an initial assessment that lasts for about an hour to see if you are suitable for treatment and if you respond to the FES stimulation. If you do respond, then you can start the treatment process. One of our physiotherapists will set up the device with you and teach you how to use it. At first you may find it difficult and time consuming to put the device on and position the pads correctly, but this becomes easier with practice. Once one of our trained physiotherapists and you have agreed that a FES device is beneficial and suitable, we will give you a clinical referral to a recommended supplier. That supplier, will discuss cost and options with you, as well as delivery timescales. Follow up sessions at The Brightwell will be necessary to adjust the electrode position and the strength of the electrical stimulation. This can change as your muscles strengthen and your nerves get used to the level of stimulation. How do I get an appointment at The Brightwell FES Clinic? If you are an existing member and/or come to The Brightwell for therapy, your physiotherapist will be able to recommend your suitability to be booked into an assessment session. If you are not an existing service user, please call 01454 201686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk to be booked in. The assessments work as follows: Initial assessment with a fully trained FES physiotherapist Approximately one hour, cost £60 plus a one-off fee of £18 for personal pads and electrodes. Follow up sessions. You will usually only require one or two follow up sessions. Cost £60 each. Annual reassessment We recommend an annual review to look at continued correct use, gait, posture, and any physical changes. Equipment Please note that we will refer you to a reliable and approved supplier, The Brightwell does not offer any warranty for the equipment or recommend any funding options. The supplier will discuss costs with you. We will gladly supply a letter of clinical support if required. We would like to thank Woodstock Homes for their ongoing support and for funding to set up The Brightwell FES Clinic.

The Brightwell team includes a expert physiotherapists, volunteer Oxygen Chamber operators, through to our support and fundraising teams and our Board of Trustees. Meet The Brightwell Team We have a truly exceptional team of people working, volunteering and supporting us here at The Brightwell. If you think that you might like to join our team please read more information by clicking he links below Volunteer Support Us Administration and Support Team Doro CEO Caroline Finance Officer Dawn Lead Receptionist Paula Cafe Coordinator Helen Centre Administrator Monique Receptionist Fundraising Team Victoria Head of Fundraising (Grants and Trust) Lara Events, Marketing and Communications Officer Physiotherapy Team Amrik Lead Physiotherapist Millie Rehabilitation Therapist Audrey Physiotherapist Lauren Physio Assistant Aaron Physiotherapist Oxygen Team Angela Oxygen Coordinator Keith Senior Operator Jane S Volunteer Operator Howard Volunteer Operator Hazel Volunteer Operator Andy Volunteer Operator Mike Volunteer Operator Carol Volunteer Operator Stevyn Volunteer Operator Anju Volunteer Operator Guy Volunteer Operator Sandra Volunteer Operator Roger Volunteer Operator Brian Volunteer Operator Peter Volunteer Operator Ted Volunteer Operator Caroline Volunteer Operator Board of Trustees Geoff Chair of Trustees Paul Trustee Charles Trustee Steve Trustee David B Trustee Caz Trustee Roger Trustee David G Trustee Tina Trustee

The Brightwell