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We were delighted that Keith Taylor, BEM, was invited to be interviewed by Radio Bristol. Keith was invited to discuss his recently awarded honour and to find out more about his work at the Brightwell. The interview was with Joe Lemer from BBC Bristol Radio (standing in for John Darvall). Here is the link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002dytd Slide the marker along to 2hours 8 minutes into the programme to hear the full interview. Well done Keith!

Adapted from an MS-UK blog, published: 27 June 2025 A look at how this complementary therapy may help with the symptoms of a long-term chronic condition like MS. Reflexology works around the theory that all the systems and organs of the body and mapped in smaller areas – specifically in the hands and feet. Reflexologists use gentle pressure to stimulate these areas, and believe this encourages natural healing in the corresponding body areas. Reflexology may help individuals with neurological conditions by providing gentle symptom relief and enhancing overall well-being. Despite there not being much research around the use of reflexology for neurological conditions, it is a popular and safe treatment that many enjoy. Some benefits of reflexology: 1. Relieves stress and promotes relaxation. Symptoms can be worsened by stress. Reflexology encourages deep relaxation, which may help calm the nervous system and improve how someone feels day-to-day. 2. May reduce pain and muscle tension. Some people report less pain, fewer muscle spasms, and reduced tension after reflexology sessions. The therapy involves pressure points believed to correspond to areas like the spine, legs, and nerves. 3. May improve circulation. While not medically proven, reflexologists believe the practice can stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which might help with circulation problems. 4. Supports better sleep. By promoting relaxation and easing discomfort, reflexology might help improve sleep quality, which can make a big difference for people living with fatigue from a chronic condition. 5. Encourages body awareness and emotional support Taking time for self-care and having someone focus on your well-being can help build a better mind-body connection. Reflexology sessions may also offer emotional comfort and a sense of support. Reflexology at The Brightwell. We have two therapists who offer Reflexology. Claire and Andrew are fully qualified therapists. Both have years of experience in working with those living with neurological conditions. To find out more about Reflexology and all the other Specialist Clinics we offer, please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/therapies/specialist-clinics To book, please call 01454 201686

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new brochure. This new brochure provides all the information you need to learn more about our wonderful Centre. To view or download your copy, please download below. Each page is packed full of information, photos and links to the different web pages for more detailed information. The QR code on the back cover takes you directly to our website www.thebrightwell.org.uk . What is included? About The Brightwell What Our Members Say. About Oxygen Therapy About Neuro Physiotherapy Our Specialist Clinics The Brightwell Café How to Support Us Volunteering at The Brightwell How to Contact Us Hard copy brochures are available from the Centre to take and share Please pass a copy to a friend who might benefit from the therapies we offer, a medical or health care professional, a family member or anyone who might like to  join or be part of our fantastic Brightwell Community Thank you.

Adapted from a MS-UK blog, published: 18 June 2025, by Ian Cook Is it time to look again at HBO? When I was diagnosed, some 30 years ago, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) was the go-to therapy for those open to radical new approaches to treating multiple sclerosis (MS). HBO had a dedicated group of followers and I once wrote a story about a man with MS who had a personal HBO chamber or ‘tank’ built in his back garden at a cost of many thousands of pounds. There was also a certain amount of evidence suggesting that HBO could work wonders in MS. And there was a network of more than 50 HBO centres dotted around the country. Twenty years ago, I visited my local centre in Coventry to meet some people using HBO. I discovered they were mainly older and more disabled MSers there. They all seemed to get something from it, I wasn’t quite sure what, although clearly HBO wasn’t a cure. Oxygen therapy So what exactly is HBO, and why am I talking about it today? Well, HBO is basically the medical use of pure oxygen (usually greater than 99 per cent) administered in a sealed chamber with a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure. And I’m talking about it today because a recent academic paper has shown HBO brings dramatic improvements in a model of MS. There are plans for more research. HBO was developed decades ago as a treatment for ‘the bends’ or ‘decompression sickness’. This happens when divers come up from the deep too quickly. A quickly ascending diver has nitrogen bubbles released into their blood (air is 80 per cent nitrogen and just 20 per cent oxygen). An HBO chamber with pure oxygen at an increased pressure helps a diver with ‘the bends’ to ‘re-compress’ and then ‘de-compress’ safely, reducing the volume and number of nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream. HBO has saved countless divers’ lives. About 40 years ago it was proposed as a treatment for MS. After this, and very quickly, a network of around 50 MS therapy centres was set up around the UK to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy. These centres were independent charitable organisations, each with quite a large local following. Many people still attend these centres for oxygen therapy and report noticeable improvements in their symptoms, particularly fatigue. There is strong anecdotal evidence for HBO as an MS treatment. The science In terms of scientific evidence, the case is less clear cut. A review of HBO in 2004 – the Cochrane report – looked at nine clinical trials into HBO. Two trials produced generally positive results, while the remaining seven reported generally no evidence of a positive effect. The conclusion of the Cochrane report was that HBO was not a recommended treatment for MS. However, despite the Cochrane report, there have been one or two interesting recent studies about how HBO might, after all, benefit MS patients. There have been some recent pathology studies showing a lack of oxygen in the tissues of MS lesions. Another interesting discovery is that animal models have shown oxygen reduces demyelination and loss of oligodendrocytes – the cells that produce myelin. HBO has also been suggested as a stem cell stimulator by increasing the mobilisation of bone marrow-derived stem cells in animal models of MS. Perhaps the most interesting new research is a recently published paper which showed a reversal of quite profound neurological deficits in animals with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) a model of the type of acute inflammation that causes MS relapses. This paper – Oxygen treatment reduces neurological deficits and demyelination in two animal models of multiple sclerosis – was written by researchers at the Department of Neuroinflammation, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London University. It concludes, “Severe neurological deficits in both active and passive EAE can be caused by hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and be reduced by oxygen treatment. Oxygen treatment also reduces demyelination in active EAE, despite the autoimmune origin of the disease.” Exactly what one should make of this paper is unclear. First, while EAE is an animal model of MS, it is not MS, and hundreds of papers have shown a ‘cure’ for EAE only to fail when trialled in humans. That said, there is clearly something worth looking at, a point made by Prof. Gavin Giovannoni in his MS-Selfie post on Medium. He says: “I am a big supporter of the need for more research in this area. . . I was helping write a grant to test HBO in acute optic neuritis when COVID-19 came along, and, like many other projects, it was abandoned. Maybe we should revisit it.” Given that most of the research into HBO is decades old perhaps Prof. Giovannoni is right – this subject should be re-visited. So, could the UK’s 50 or so HBO centres that are still operating get together and start the process of getting a new trial into HBO and MS? This suggestion comes not from me but from Prof. Giovannoni. Evidence needed   Responding to the new research he says, “My response to this issue has been to suggest all of the MS Centres get together to do a properly designed and powered randomised controlled trial. NICE’s position is meant to be evidence-based, but the evidence base, in my opinion, is not robust enough. Hence the need for further research.” When I put Prof. Giovannoni’s suggestion to the Neuro Therapy Network, the umbrella group for 42 of these HBO centres, a spokesperson said, “Funding a clinical trial is likely to be beyond the reach of most of our members as they vary in size and finances differ greatly.” So, will other funders come forward to fund this research, or will the efficacy of HBO in MS remain one of those many unanswered questions surrounding the condition? If anyone has a spare £2.5M stuffed down the back of the sofa, that’s Prof. Giovannoni’s estimate of the cost of the study using the existing infrastructure of the MS Centres, please get in touch with him – his email is g.giovannoni@qmul.ac.uk . Comment from The Brightwell We offer thousands of sessions per year in our Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber, with hundreds of users benefiting from this therapy We agree that research is desperately needed, and the funding for it, in these economically challenging times, is difficult to access. To find out more about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at The Brightwell, please visit https://www.thebrightwell.org.uk/oxygen-therapy

We are very excited to offer a FREE TASTER DANCE CLASS! Meet Your Instructor: Audrey Lam Audrey Lam, one of our expert Physiotherapists, is also an accomplished Street Dancer. Audrey and the Physio team have put together an exciting new Exercise Class to include some Street Dance! and cardio fitness. What to Expect:  This class promises to be lively, fun, as well as a great chance to exercise at the same time! This class is suitable for all our Brightwell Community. So whether you are a wheelchair user, use a walking aid or can stand, this class is for you No dance experience needed, Audrey will help you through the whole class! Taster session details:  This taster session will take place in the Physio Department, here at  The Brightwell on Monday 21 July and will start at 3.30 pm. We hope that lots of people will be interested in taking this class. Future Classes:  We will therefore be offering these sessions at £9 per person or a discounted rate of £60 for a block booking of 10 sessions paid in advance. Places are limited to 15 people, so please book at Reception as soon as possible. Call 01454 201686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk

A Month of Identity, Awareness, and Action July marks Disability Pride Month, a significant time in the UK and across the globe where we celebrate the diverse identities, rich culture, and invaluable contributions of disabled people. It's a month dedicated to shifting narratives, challenging stereotypes, and fostering a society where disability is embraced as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity. What is Disability Pride Month? Originating in the US in 1990, coinciding with the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Disability Pride Month has been celebrated in the UK since 2015. It's a movement born from the Disability Rights movement, rooted in the social model of disability, which asserts that people are disabled by societal barriers, not by their impairments. Unlike the traditional medical model that views disability as something to be "fixed," Disability Pride promotes self-acceptance, empowerment, and rejects the notion of disability as a deficit or tragedy. It’s a powerful counteraction against ableism – the discrimination and social prejudice against disabled people. The Disability Pride Flag, redesigned in 2021 for greater accessibility, features diagonal stripes representing different types of disabilities: Red:  Physical impairments and conditions. Gold:  Neurodiversity. White:  Non-visible and undiagnosed impairments and conditions. Blue:  Emotional and psychiatric conditions, including mental health, anxiety, and depression. Green:  Hearing impaired, vision impaired, audio processing, and all other sensory impairments and conditions. The Charcoal background  represents those in the community who have experienced ableism and serves as a protest against it. Why is Disability Pride Month Important in the UK? With approximately 16 million disabled people in the UK, Disability Pride Month provides a crucial platform to: Celebrate Identity:  It's a time for disabled individuals to come together, embrace who they are, and celebrate their resilience, creativity, and achievements. Raise Awareness:  The month encourages positive conversations about disability, highlighting the ongoing fight for accessibility, equality, and the dismantling of ableism. It educates non-disabled individuals on the lived experiences of disabled people. Challenge Stigma:  Despite progress, many disabled people still face negative attitudes and discrimination. Disability Pride Month actively works to combat these stereotypes and change the conversation. Promote Inclusion:  It encourages organisations, communities, and individuals to reflect on how they can become more inclusive and develop a deeper understanding of how everyone experiences the world differently. Amplify Voices:  For too long, discussions about disability have excluded disabled voices. This month is about centring those with lived experience, recognising that disabled voices are a vibrant chorus of diverse perspectives. How Can You Get Involved? Disability Pride Month is a call to action for everyone. Here are some ways you can participate and show your allyship: Educate Yourself: Be more aware of disability and the challenges faced by disabled individuals. Learn about the organisations and support available and explore resources from organisations like Scope AccessAble and the Neurological Alliance,     Amplify Disabled Voices:  Seek out and share content created by disabled individuals. Listen to their experiences and perspectives without speaking over them. Challenge Ableism:  Be aware of ableist language and assumptions. Challenge discriminatory attitudes and practices when you encounter them. Support Disabled-Led Organisations: Donate to or volunteer with charities and groups that support disabled individuals. Review Accessibility:  If you're a business or organisation, take this month to review your accessibility practices – from physical spaces to digital content and employment policies. Celebrate!  Attend local Disability Pride events, parades (like those held in Brighton and Belfast), or simply gather with friends and loved ones to celebrate disabled identity and culture. Share Your Story:  If you are disabled and feel comfortable, sharing your story can be a powerful act of empowerment and education Disability Pride Month is more than just a celebration; it's a vital reminder of the ongoing journey towards a truly inclusive and equitable society. Let's use this July to learn, reflect, and act, ensuring that every disabled person in the UK can live with pride, dignity, and full participation. The Brightwell supports and recognises all forms of disability and is a safe, inclusive space and community.

Last year, MS People's Help gave us a significant donation to purchase items from our Brightwell Wishlist. MSPH have a Charity Shop in Thornbury and they aim to help people with MS as much as possible, so they have a more accessible, brighter, nicer and safer place to live. Roger and Shaun, founders of the Charity, both have MS  and started this amazing project 12 years ago. To find out more, please visit www.mspeopleshelp.co.uk This donation has had a significant impact on The Brightwell. Using this donation, back in February, all the lighting in the Oxygen Suite was changed to LED. This lighting upgrade was then moved on to the Physio, Gym and Treatment Room 1 in May. Not only does this provide a brighter and more modern space, but it will save an incredible 86% in terms of energy usage compared to the old lighting! Staying in the Oxygen Suite, new comfortable seating has been purchased for those having Isobaric Oxygen Therapy (on the outside of the tank). This is not only much more comfortable for the users but also looks great! However, the biggest project has been a major upgrade of our computers, laptops, screens and other hardware accessories, plus the transition across the board to Windows 11. The MSPH donation not only paid for all the physical equipment but also for Alchemy, our external It support company, to set up all the software and networking. This means that all our staff and Centre-based volunteers are now using the most up-to-date software on new equipment. We are incredibly grateful to everyone at MSPH. In return, on a small scale, we donate anything that we cannot sell in our Brightwell Shop to them, as they have a fantastic shop in Thornbury, with lots of space. Thank you so much once again from everyone at The Brightwell. If you would like to find out more about the Brightwell Wishlist, please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/brightwell-100

The photo shows Martyn Olds, Caz Blake-Symes, Sue Olds and Doro Pasantes The team at Kendleshire Golf Club, located in Coalpit Heath, Bristol, has been a long-term supporter of The Brightwell. This year’s Captain, Martyn Olds, has chosen The Brightwell as his Charity of the Year for 2025. Martyn has already held one golf day, which raised over £2,000. Martyn has other fundraising events planned too! We were delighted to welcome Martyn and his wife, Sue, to our Supporters 40-Year Celebration last Thursday, 26 June. Martyn and Sue had a tour of the Centre and were very impressed with all the support and therapies we offer. All of Martyn’s fundraising will be added to our £40k for 40 Years Campaign A massive thank you to Martyn from everyone in The Brightwell Community

Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign so far your generosity has been incredible! We are thrilled to share that the totaliser at the Centre is hovering close to   £25,000,  which is fantastic, and it’s all thanks to you! We have been overwhelmed by the support from Members, staff (past and present), new supporters, and so many members of the public. Your contributions, in every form, are making a real difference. Thank you! Many of you will have followed Caz’s 40-day vlog challenge on social media. She set out to raise £2,000 towards the campaign and has smashed her goal! Huge thanks to Caz, Martin, and Rebecca for their daily dedication and energy. The videos are well worth a watch: insightful, informative, and sometimes just plain funny! They highlight life with a neurological condition, include coping tips and strategies, and are helpful for anyone diagnosed, their families/carers. A special thank you also goes to Woodstock Homes for their outstanding contribution and ongoing support, we’re truly grateful. You may have noticed that the total shown on our Crowd Funder page is slightly lower than the total displayed at the Centre. This is because we have also received a large number of offline donations, made in person at reception, via bank transfer, cheque, and cash,  which have been added to our in-house total. There are many more events and donations to come throughout the year! The online Crowd Funder campaign will close on 11th August, but the 40k for 40 Years campaign will continue throughout this very special Anniversary year.So please keep helping us spread the word: like, comment on, and share our posts on Facebook,   Instagram, and LinkedIn. Your engagement with our posts really does make a difference and leads to donations! And don’t forget, our “40 Prizes for 40 Years” raffle is still going strong! All ticket sales from the raffle will go towards our overall total. So, with fantastic prizes including a weekend break, spa days, dining experiences, Goodwood Festival of Speed tickets, Social Darts vouchers, champagne, hampers, and more, why not try your luck and help us towards our total! Donate directly to our campaign The Brightwell | £40Kfor40Years Buy Raffle Tickets from Reception or at The Brightwell | 40 Birthday Raffle Thank you!

When and where 30 Jul 2025, 19:00 – 22:00 Bradley Stoke, Bradbury House, Wheatfield Dr, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 9DB, UK About Join us for our next Quiz Night! Wednesday 30 July Doors open 6:30pm, Quiz starts at 7pm Bring your own drinks and nibbles. Exclusive raffle available on the night. Click here to buy tickets or from Reception

Please note that from 1 July 2025, there will be a slight increase in the suggested contributions for therapies and membership.   As we highlighted at the AGM, we have worked hard to keep contributions at the same level for as long as possible, the last increase was back in 2017. However, like many charities, we are now facing significant rises across all our running costs: salaries, national insurance, utilities, service costs, insurances, and more.   We want to reassure you that no one will ever be turned away from The Brightwell because of financial difficulty. If you are worried about the contribution increases, please speak with the Reception team directly so that we can agree on what works for you and review it together as needed.   Please see below our Recommended Contributions document with the new suggested increases, which we hope you will find helpful. Setting up a Standing Order is the most cost-effective way to make your contribution as the level is based on only 44 weeks of therapy a year if you have weekly sessions, which is an extra subsidy on top of the initial one. The Centre is open 51 weeks a year for therapies. Please see below the standing order form. Again, one of our Reception Team with work out the monthly amount for you. Alternatively, there is the option to contribute towards a block of treatments in advance. We would also draw your attention to the terms of our Cancellation Policy. If you are a current member, over the coming week or so, you will receive an email/letter from us with your current contribution level and what your new suggested contribution should be.  We ask that you update your contribution from the 1 July. If you do not already have a Standing Order in place,  we request that you set one up as it makes a huge difference to the Charity’s financial planning.   For further information about any of our therapies, please visit the following pages: Therapies Oxygen Therapy Physiotherapy FES Clinic Specialist Clinic