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After much anticipation, we are delighted to announce that The Brightwell Café is now fully open and offering some delicious tasty items on the menu. The Café is open to all members, carers, staff volunteers and members of our wider Brightwell community. We are open from 10am with prepared food served until 2.30pm. Other snacks and drinks are available until the Centre closes. As well as great tea, coffee and soft drinks, the following items are here to tempt you and tickle your taste buds: ·a selection of freshly-made sandwiches (with gluten-free options available); ·an assortment of cakes; ·cream teas; ·snacks; and sweet treats. Everything we offer represents great value for money, with freshly-made sandwiches available from £2.50 and we will be developing the menu further over the coming weeks to serve hot food and daily specials. We’re also pleased to launch our great value Brightwell Cream Tea – a lovely treat at any time – bring your friends and family too! There is a choice of seating areas, including our outdoor terrace when the weather improves. The whole Centre is fully accessible and there is free parking too. Paula, our café coordinator, and our team of café volunteers look forward to serving you! And finally, if you or someone you know would like to volunteer to help us run the café in the afternoons then we would love to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Many people living with chronic neurological conditions find symptom relief and increased pain management through having regular acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture works for both chronic long terms symptoms as well as any acute flare-ups . We are very fortunate to have Sam May, a fully qualified and very experienced Acupuncturist with us at The Brightwell, every Friday. Sam uses a number of techniques including Traditional Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture works on an holistic approach benefitting, body, mind and spirit. Acupuncture, which is one form of traditional Chinese medicine, is based on a theory of body functioning that involves the flow of energy — known as qi (pronounced chee) — through 14 pathways (called "meridians") in the body. According to the theories of Chinese medicine, disease results from an imbalance or disruption in the flow of energy and in the optimal balance between the opposite forces of "yin" and "yang." Acupuncture involves stimulating specific locations on the skin, usually by inserting thin, disposable metallic needles into points along the body's meridians to alter the flow of energy. Other methods of stimulating the skin may also be used, including finger pressure (also known as acupressure or shiatsu in Japan), cupping with small heated cups, electroacupuncture with electrically-stimulated needles, and moxibustion with smoldering fibers of an herb called "Asian mugwort." Acupuncture may improve, general well-being, mood, pain levels plus blood circulation digestion immune function ·blood pressure sleep quality ·bladder function ·inflammation Caz Blake-Symes, Brightwell member and Trustee is a great advocate of Acupuncture and comments “I have been having acupuncture for many years and although my MS has progressed, my general well-being is good and I do not take any strong painkillers. I feel that acupuncture gives me increased levels of energy, overall I keep well and focused. On several occasions when I have had specific issues such as shoulder and hip pain, this treatment has really helped.” Sam begins a course of treatments with a full initial consultation and is offering Brightwell members carers, volunteers and staff a 50% discount on their initial consultation between now and the end of April making the initial consultation just £22.50. The follow up sessions are £30 each. Further information ·Visit our Specialist Clinics section of our website to find out more about Sam, the treatment he offers and how to book a consultation. ·Visit Sam’s website lucentacupuncture.com Follow Sam on Facebook www.facebook.com/lucentacupuncture

Jenna Cox will be presenting a talk about nutritional therapy at 1.30pm on 22 February 2024, please come along to find out more.

The Brightwell is always looking for ways in which to support their community of Members as well as the local community. As a registered charity that has supported people affected by neurological conditions for over 30 years The Brightwell understands first hand that there are many invisible barriers to inclusion that can affect so many in society. A hugely important part of the work that the Brightwell does is enabling independence and fostering confidence. Particularly so that people affected by neurological conditions can continue to live a fulfilling and enjoyable life. A large part of this is helping people remain in paid or voluntary employment, for as long as possible. A career can be a huge part of person’s identity, and is something that many able bodied, or neurotypical people can take for granted. Being able to remain in work, is of huge benefit, economically, socially, and of course financially. Being able to achieve success in a profession can really help people affected by illness, or disability feel in control of their lives. With this in mind The Brightwell is excited to welcome an amazing organisation to their Centre in Bradley Stoke! Inclusive Change works with organisations to promote awareness and a better understanding of neurodiversity (ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and more), alongside supporting individuals to achieve greater success in the workplace. Inclusive Change have a range of free resources available on their website and offer courses, coaching and access to work services for individuals, businesses, leaders and families. They also champion digital safety for young people. They are at The Centre Monday-Friday and can be contacted via their website inclusivechange.co.uk. Inclusive Change are also digital safety champions and will be hosting The Castle Conference: Digital Safety and Wellbeing for Young People on 24th April at leigh Court Bristol for further details click here: digital wellbeing for young people 25 April 2024 (icaw-cic.com) .

It's back for 2024! So many missed out on our #corporate packages in 2023 so don't delay in signing your team up today, drop me a message or email at: libby.jordan@thebrightwell.org.uk Dress up is not mandatory but strongly encouraged - who's you're favourite super hero?? Friday 10 May 2024 Slots allocated between 10am - 5pm Village Hotels, Filton, Bristol Raise vital funds to ensure therapy at The Brightwell is available to support people affected by #neurological conditions such as #multiplesclerosis #parkinsons #strokerecovery #oxygentherapy #neurophysio #teambuilding #charityday #bristol #charityabseil

We are delighted to welcome Helen Green to the Brightwell! Helen joins us in a new role as Centre Administrator. Helen will primarily be working with Doro Pasantes, our CEO, and across all departments ensuring the smooth running of the Charity’s administrative and operational requirements. Helen has a varied background in psychology, research and project management and she is also a qualified Solution Focused Clinical Hypnotherapist & Psychotherapist. Helen is delighted to be joining the charity sector and thinks this new role will be both challenging and exciting. She's passionate about helping others and likes to keep busy! Welcome to the Brightwell team Helen!

We would very much like to thank Mark Colfer, Managing Director of Alteriors Design & Build Ltd for his recent donation of some designer carpet tiles for one of our treatment rooms. Treatment Room 3 was in need of a refurbishment, which was carried out by our Premises and Facilities Manager, Steve Fitt. We had not originally planned on doing the flooring. The carpet tiles provided by Mark have given the room a new lease of life as can be seen in the photos below. This room is available to be  used by our Specialist Clinics providers or by our own Physio  team for consultations and assessments or is used by visiting Health Care Providers. Mark was introduced to The Brightwell via Bristol Breakfast Rotary Club, as our Chair Geoff Mayell and Paul Spaven  Chair of the Neuro Therapy Network, are also Rotarians. If you would like to find out more about Alteriors Design & Build Ltd please visit www.alteriors.co.uk Click on the links below to find out more about our Conference and Room Hire Facilities  or join The Brightwell 100

Here is our Oxygen Therapy Timetable with effect from January 2024. If you would like to find out more information please visit our Oxygen Therapy page. For more specific details regarding your personal condition or requirements, please call Angela Ball on 01454 201686. We look forward to seeing you at The Brightwell.

It is always positive to be able to welcome new members of staff to join The Brightwell Team. Two of the roles are in the Fundraising Department and one is a completely new role – Brightwell Café Coordinator. Paula Gregory -Café Coordinator Paula’s focus will be to run and develop the Brightwell Café.  Paula joins us with a wealth of hospitality experience and is full of ideas to increase the offer to members and visitors. Everyone is very excited about making the most of our wonderful new Café and Lounge. Paula became interested in the work we do after meeting Libby Jordan at the West Country Water Park for a cold-water swim. Welcome Paula! Lara Carnell – Events & Communications Support Officer Lara joins the Fundraising Team and will be supporting Victoria and Libby to ensure that we maximize on all our events in terms of fundraising and participant enjoyment for all our stakeholders. Lara has a Master’s Degree in Marketing and has a great deal of knowledge in the effective use of Social Media. Lara has been aware of The Brightwell since childhood as her aunt has been coming to the Centre for Hyperbaric Oxygen for many years. Lara has taken part in several fundraising events herself, so it is great to now welcome her to the team. Clare Marshall - Member Engagement & Community Fundraising Officer We have known Clare for a while as she has been a valued member of our Volunteering Team helping at events and supporting staff in the office with administration, so many of you will recognize her at the Centre. She will be working closely with our members to ensure that thay can participate and fully enjoy all the amazing events we run. Welcome Clare! When you are next in the Centre, please say hello to these new staff members and we hope they are happy and successful in their new roles. Click here to visit our Meet the Team page.

Many members will know Jill Brown and we remember, with great fondness, her late husband Gareth who was an active member and supporter of The Brightwell for many years. Jill owns a beautiful cottage in the Forest of Dean, which has been completely adapted. As most of you know it’s so difficult to have a break but still feel safe and be able to relax. The cottage is just a short journey from Bristol. Has wheelchair access through the ground floor. Has a fully equipped accessible wet room. Has a ceiling hoist. All these wonderful features, plus chance to stay in a delightful cottage in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Jill is also offering a 10% discount for a minimum 3-night stay to all Brightwell members. For further information, lots more photos and a full description please visit www.danbycottages.co.uk Check out the location 2 Danby Cottage Yorkley Forest of Dean Gloucestershire GL15 4SL Contact Jill to book! jill.brown6@talktalk.net Phone: 0117 942 2301   Mobile: 07766 450422 Enjoy your break!!

Adapted from a BBC News article by Philippa Roxby, Health reporter 10 January 2024 Why are diseases more common in some parts of Europe than others, and why are northern Europeans taller than their southern counterparts? An international team of scientists say they have unearthed the answer in the DNA of ancient teeth and bones. The genes which protected our ancestors from animal diseases now raise the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). The researchers call their discovery "a quantum leap" in understanding the evolution of the disease. And they say it could change opinions on what causes MS, and have an impact on the way it is treated. Why look at MS? There are about twice as many cases of multiple sclerosis per 100,000 people in north-western Europe, including the UK and Scandinavia, compared with southern Europe. Researchers from the universities of Cambridge, Copenhagen and Oxford spent more than 10 years delving into archaeology to investigate why. MS is a disease where the body's own immune cells attack the brain and spinal cord, leading to symptoms like muscle stiffness and problems walking and talking. They discovered that genes which increase the risk of MS entered north-western Europe about 5,000 years ago via a massive migration of cattle herders called Yamnaya. The Yamnaya came from western Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, and moved west into Europe, says one of four Nature journal papers published on the topic. The findings "astounded us all", said Dr William Barrie, paper author and expert in computational analysis of ancient DNA at University of Cambridge. At the time, the gene variants carried by the herding people were an advantage, helping to protect them against diseases in their sheep and cattle. Nowadays, however, with modern lifestyles, diets and better hygiene, these gene variants have taken on a different role. In the present day, these same traits mean a higher risk of developing certain diseases, such as MS. Map tracing the disease MS back in time to movement of cattle herders west into Europe. The research project was a huge undertaking - genetic information was extracted from ancient human remains found in Europe and Western Asia, and compared with the genes of hundreds of thousands of people living in the UK today. In the process, a bank of DNA from 5,000 ancient humans, kept in museum collections across many countries, has now been set up to help future research. Prof Lars Fugger, paper author and MS doctor at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, says the discovery helps "demystify" the disease. "MS is not caused by mutations - it's driven by normal genes to protect us against pathogens," he explains. Vaccinations, antibiotics and higher standards of hygiene have changed the disease landscape completely - many diseases have disappeared, and people are living decades longer. The researchers say modern immune systems may now be more susceptible to autoimmune diseases, like MS, where the immune system attacks the body rather than protecting it. Drugs currently used to treat MS target the body's immune system, but the downside is the risk of suppressing it so much that patients struggle to fight off infections. When treating it, we are up against evolutionary forces, Prof Fugger says. "We need to find the sweet spot where there is a balance with the immune system, rather than wiping it out." The team now plans to look for other diseases and conditions in ancient DNA and follow them back in time. Their research could reveal more about the origins of autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder and depression. Another Nature paper uncovered even more clues about our genetic past - that the Yamnaya herders could also be responsible for north-western Europeans being taller than southern Europeans. And while northern Europeans carry more genetic risk for MS, southern Europeans are more likely to develop bipolar disorder, and eastern Europeans more likely to have Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes. DNA from pre-historic hunter-gatherer people raises the risk of Alzheimer's, but ancient farmers' genes are linked to mood disorders, the research explains. It also discovered that humans' ability to digest milk and other dairy products and survive on a vegetable-heavy diet only emerged about 6,000 years ago. Before that, they were meat-eaters. The research compared DNA from thousands of ancient skeletons found in Eurasia to genetic samples from current-day Europeans. The Brightwell is posting this article as it may be of interest to its followers and has received recent coverage in newspapers and on TV. It will be interesting to see if any new ideas or drugs develop from these findings.