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We are delighted that Mark and James Mikkelson have decided to join The Brightwell100. Mark and James are brothers and own and run an innovative tech company based here in Bristol called Shiptheory. Shiptheory has developed state-of-the-art software that enables users to print shipping labels from users’ offices or homes. The software integrates with all the major shipping platforms such as EBay, Magneto, Etsy and is approved by Royal Mail and FedEx. Shiptheory directly connects to popular carriers and e-commerce platforms to automate shipping. As a Royal Mail Approved Integrator and FedEx Compatible Provider, their web-based app connects to trusted carriers to create a seamless shipping process. The business is doing so well that the brothers are looking at expanding their business interests to set up in the United States. They are keen to support our charity as their Godmother has MS and they would like their donation to be used towards the Oxygen Generation project. For more details about Shiptheory please visit shiptheory.com Thank you both so much- we look forward to welcoming you to The Brightwell very soon.

As a Trustee of The Brightwell and Coordinator of The Brightwell 100, Caz Blake-Symes has set up a specific JustGiving fundraising page to raise funds for the planned new outdoor terrace area , accessible via the new café. The Brightwell 100 is our biggest corporate fundraising project that we have ever undertaken and one of the projects under that umbrella is a café lounge and terrace. The next stage of this exciting project is to have an accessible outdoor space leading from the café lounge for members to have an enjoyable place to relax and meet with others. The project includes: · To create a hard standing patio area adjacent to the new electric door for external access. The space will be a square of 8 metres x 8 metres with non-slip paviours. · The existing two wooden planters will be moved to the south side of the patio and 4 new planters will be built on the north side of the area. · We will also need to purchase some additional garden seating and shading Prices are inclusive of materials, labour and VAT. Patio including levelling base and non-slip paviours £5160 4 wooden planters- made from sleepers tbc £600 3 x wooden table sets £900 2 x shades £400 Project total £7,060 We have a commitment of £1,000 already but urgently need the balance, please support us if you can. www.justgiving.com/brightwellcafeterrace

We are delighted that Phil Clark, MD of Bristol Mortgages Online, has decided to become a supporter of The Brightwell 100. Phil is keen to support us as he is very aware of the issues of those living with neurological conditions, as his eldest daughter lives with a rare form of Ataxia, type AOA2. Phil was prompted to support us after seeing one of our recent LinkedIn posts talking about the new outdoor terrace area, and feels this new space will be a tremendous benefit to all members. Bristol Mortgages Online, based in Henleaze, is an independent, whole of market, mortgage broker. providing expert independent mortgage advice for everyone from first time buyers and for those looking to remortgage, through to experienced buy to let landlords. They offer expert independent mortgage advice with a personal touch, with over 30 years’ experience. As an independent mortgage broker, they can research the best possible mortgage to meet your specific needs and ensure you receive the very best deal, best rate, and terms. For further details, please visit www.bristolmortgagesonline.com

As many of you are aware either from visiting the Centre or following developments via our social media, the new members area is making real progress. At the end of last week, the new electric doors were installed. Funds to pay for these were donated last December and we will be able to share more information about that donor very soon. These new doors will lead out onto our new terrace area. The Brightwell 100 is our biggest corporate fundraising project that we have ever undertaken and one of the projects under that umbrella is a cafe lounge and terrace. The next stage of this exciting project is to have an accessible outdoor space leading from the cafe lounge for members to have an enjoyable place to relax and meet with others We are now looking to raise funds for the following items: To create a hard standing patio area adjacent to the new door for external access. The space will be a square of 8 metres x 8 metres with non-slip paviours. The existing two wooden planters will be moved to the south side of the patio and 4 new planters will be built on the north side of the area. We will also need to purchase some additional garden seating and shading The Brightwell will be happy to install small brass “thank you” signs on the timber elements to show the sponsor names if appropriate. Likewise, for larger donation the Centre will be delighted for individual items to be sponsored and businesses will be able to publicise their donations and support of this partnership. Prices are inclusive of materials, labour and VAT. Support can be made by funding or donated labour. Patio including levelling base and non-slip paviours £5160 4 wooden planters- made from sleepers tbc £600 3 x wooden table sets £900 2 x shades £400 Project total £7,060 Please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/brightwell-100 to find out how you can help and become one of The Brightwell 100. If you would like to discuss your involvement in more detail, please email Caz Blake-Symes on caroline.blake-symes@thebrightwell.org.uk Thank you so much.

We are delighted to welcome MBS Land & New Home Ltd to join us as a Brightwell 100 supporter. Managing Director, Martin Blake-Symes, has been a long-term supporter of The West of England MS Therapy Centre. Martin’s wife, Caz, lives with Secondary Progressive MS and benefits from weekly physiotherapy sessions with our specialist Physiotherapy team, here at The Brightwell. MBS Land & New Homes works closely with new home developers ON a Consultancy business, as well as dealing with the acquisition and disposal of land. For further information please visit www.mbslandandnewhomes.co.uk

The Brightwell is very fortunate to offer Oxygen Therapy as its USP. More than 500 sessions on average, are offered each month to members living with neurological conditions as well as to those battling cancer and other chronic ailments. We have also been able to support professional athletes in speeding up their recovery from injury including well-known local cricket, football, and rugby players. The Oxygen Therapy takes place in a Barochamber; this is an airtight vessel just like a commercial aircraft and like an aircraft the air pressure inside it is controlled. Depending on what you find comfortable you will breathe pure oxygen at between one and a half to two times normal atmospheric pressure. The benefit of breathing oxygen in a pressurised environment is that your body can absorb more oxygen. Although the damage caused by neurological conditions cannot be prevented or cured by oxygen therapy, many people throughout the world find that it reduces some of their symptoms. For more details about our Oxygen Generation project please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/brightwell-100

What is oxygen therapy? Oxygen therapy is often referred to as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) or High Dose Oxygen Therapy (HDOT). This means that during your therapy session, you will be breathing in a higher concentration of oxygen whilst under increased atmospheric pressure (hyperbaric). With effect from August 2022, we have been generating our own Oxygen, with guaranteed supply and quality. What conditions can be treated? The majority of our members and Centre users live with chronic neurological conditions, predominantly Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Other conditions include: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Motor Neuron Disease (MND), Parkinson’s, Stroke and Fibromyalgia. More recently those suffering from Long Covid have also been benefiting from oxygen therapy. Therapy for Sports Injuries We frequently assist those with a variety of sports injuries. In the past, we have treated players from both amateur and professional football and rugby clubs as well as professional cricketers and ice hockey players. Due to an increased level of fitness in sportspeople, the number of sessions they require in the Chamber is reduced. Oxygen therapy is particularly beneficial for speeding up the repair of strains, breaks and soft tissue damage. For more details please visit our website www.thebrightwell.org.uk/oxygen-therapy

We have a great team of individuals taking on the Bristol Triathlon this morning all to raise funds and awareness for The Brightwell We wish you all the best of luck! If you’re in the area pop down to say hello and support them. The sun is shining for you all you’ve got this. Thank you so much! #Bristoltri #msawareness #thankful #bristol

Living with a neurological condition can be complex and challenging whether it’s caused by a long-term illness like Multiple Sclerosis or the sudden effects of something like long Covid. The Brightwell in Bradley Stoke provides a range of therapies – oxygen therapy, physiotherapy and specialist clinics – to help anyone suffering from a neurological problem, whether it’s permanent or temporary. Raising funds to provide these vital services is a constant struggle which is why Wards Solicitor’s Katherine Roe, who works in the Bradley Stoke office, is so delighted to have formed a very special partnership with The Brightwell. Make a Will – help The Brightwell Every month, Katherine – an Associate Solicitor in the Wills, Probate and Mental Capacity team – visits The Brightwell to help people who want to make or update a standard Will. She gives her time and expertise for nothing in return for a donation to the charity. Katherine says: “Our scheme with The Brightwell has been running for six months now and is proving very popular. “It is hugely rewarding to be able to provide properly drafted Wills whilst at the same time raising money for such a worthwhile and important cause. “Many of those who have decided to make a Will attend the centre on a regular basis. It is lovely to hear from them in person about how much they benefit from the therapies offered there and the difference it makes to them.” Why is it important to make and regularly review your Will? It puts you in control of the final destination of your estate and brings you peace of mind knowing that your family, friends and the charities of your choice will be provided for as you wish. ·It’s an inexpensive way of avoiding difficulties for your family and friends when you die because it sets out exactly what you want. You can appoint people you know and trust as executors so everything is handled how you want for your beneficiaries. ·Regularly updating your Will means you won’t miss out on fast changing tax laws like Inheritance Tax. You can be clear about what kind of funeral you want. How to make a Will with Wards at The Brightwell Katherine usually visits the centre on the first Friday of the month but please book ahead by contacting The Brightwell on 01454 201 686 or email community@thebrightwell.org.uk

We were delighted to receive a call a few weeks ago from Britt Hatton, who is an Civil Service Operational Delivery Graduate. Britt was looking to propose that a team of Volunteer Graduates could come out to The Brightwell to help and give up their time for the charity. We, of course, said yes please, and Doro Pasantes agreed a date for Thursday 11 May. We were so fortunate that the sun shone all day on the date of the visit. Steve Fitt, our Facilities Manager, had prepared a list of outdoor tasks for them to tackle. The team worked so hard and achieved far more than anyone could have anticipated, including a major de-weeding of the garden paths and blockwork around the Centre. They also started the setting out of the new vegetable-patch, which will be a fantastic addition to the garden once completed. Britt commented “We have all really enjoyed working outside today and everyone has been so kind and friendly.” Steve Fitt was more than impressed with the standard of help commenting: “I’m over the moon with what has been achieved, and very much hope they will return in the near future to help us again.” Thank you all so much, we are exceptionally grateful.

Thank you to everyone who came along to support our stall at the Stoke Gifford Village Fete today. The weather was glorious and we all had lots of fun, whilst increasing awareness of our charity and raising valuable funds too! If anyone would like to volunteer to help out at future events please do let the fundraising team know

This is the first post in a newly introduced category to our blog called Health & Well-being. In this part of the blog, we plan to bring you details of all the therapies available at The Brightwell, plus news and interesting articles and news about MS and other neurological conditions. The Brightwell offers a range of therapies including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, in our Oxygen Chamber, Physiotherapy with one of our expert team, plus a host of other clinics and complementary therapies. Whether you are newly diagnosed and not yet a member, or whether you have benefited from our therapies for over 30 years we always have something to help and support you. If you would like to discuss your personal needs and requirements, please call us on 01454 201 686. #thebrightwell #msthetapy #physiotherapy #neurophusiotherapy #helpandsupport #neurologicalcondition