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Hello, My name is Wendy and I’m really looking forward to volunteering to help add ‘Support for Carers’ to the Brightwell Centre’s wide range of services. I have had a long-standing interest and commitment to the importance of supporting carers in the vital role they play - a role which can be very rewarding but sometimes demanding and exhausting. I have had experience of working with carers in a variety of ways throughout my career as a Medical Social Worker, NHS Disability Services Manager, Counsellor and within several different voluntary sector services.  More personally, I have had first-hand experience, over the years, of being a carer  to four different family members, most recently, and for many years, for my husband who had MS. He was a regular user of various services at the Brightwell Centre for many years and we both very much appreciated the warm welcoming atmosphere, kindness and treatments he received, as well as all the wonderful support and friendships he gained….. and I am very much looking forward to being able to offer back some time and experience in the hope that it may be of some help and support to other carers. Research powerfully demonstrates the enormous contribution that carers make in economic savings to the State, but it has also highlighted a range of worrying concerns – including, for instance, that carers’ own health and well-being can suffer and often be neglected, that they may become socially isolated, frequently lack information about sources of help and support and may experience financial difficulties. Ensuring that carers are recognised, valued and supported in their role is, therefore, vitally important in every possible way- personally, emotionally, physically, practically and economically…And our aim is that this project will help in whatever ways we can towards achieving this.   We’re not sure at this point exactly how the project will develop but we will be starting by developing a Carers’ Corner which will include a display of information to signpost carers to various support services that may be of assistance. We will also be holding the first session of what could become regular meetings at 2pm on Thursday 16 January   at the Centre , to which any carers of people who use services at the Brightwell are warmly invited. This will enable us to begin to explore carers’ needs and views and work out how the Centre might be able to help. I am really looking forward to meeting any carers who are interested and able to attend this meeting. It would be helpful, for planning purposes, if you could let Reception know in advance if you will be attending. And if you are not able to attend but have any views or suggestions about the project I would also be very pleased to hear from you- please let Reception know your contact details and I will get back to you.   Best Wishes Wendy

On Thursday 14 November we held a “Thank You “party here at the Centre for our staff and volunteers. The evening was really well attended with a good cross section of volunteers who support Reception, Admin, Fundraising, Oxygen and the Café. Over 70 people from the Brightwell teams joined us to celebrate the great work that everyone does supporting all our service users and their families. A buffet was laid on with the majority of the food being supplied by Charlotte and the team at The Block Bakehouse inPortishead,  www.facebook.com/theblockbakehouse The food was  delicious and everyone really enjoyed it. Callum, one of our Trustee’s son, was our barman for the night and did a cracking job behind the café counter. Live music was provided for the third consecutive year by the ever popular Ben Hutcheson. Ben has just released an album, and played one of his new songs at the party which the volunteers absolutely loved.  Check Ben out on Instagram www.instagram.com/ben_hutchesonmusic It was an extremely enjoyable evening, and a fabulous opportunity for all the volunteers to meet, chat and share stories, as they do a variety of roles  on different days at the Brightwell, which make such a difference to the services and support we  are able to offer.   Thanks go to the Brightwell team for all their hard work putting this lovely evening together. Volunteers are the very lifeblood of the Centre to find out more and join our fantastic Brightwell Community, please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/volunteer

The Brightwell was delighted to welcome Claire Hazelgrove MP to the Centre on Friday 15 November. Claire was elected as MP for  Filton and Bradley Stoke in July 2024. The Brightwell is located within that constituency. Claire commented how welcoming and friendly the Centre felt as soon as she walked in. Ms Hazelgrove spent time meeting staff, members and Trustees and was genuinely interested in the support we offer to those living with neurological conditions. She was  very impressed by the Physiotherapy Department and our fantastic outdoor space as well as by our  Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and wanted to find out more about it. Doro Pasantes, CEO at The Brightwell discussed many of the challenges that smaller charities like ours are facing and will be following up the conversation with Claire in more detail. It was such a pleasure to have our new MP visit us so soon after being elected. After meeting The Brightwell team, Claire then visited Inclusive Change, who are also based at the Centre, to discuss the support they offer to those with both physical and neurodivergent challenges. We very much look forward to welcoming Claire back to visit us again soon! Photo shows from Left to right, Monique from the Reception Team, Lara  from the Fundraising team, Doro Passantes, CEO, Claire Hazelgrove MP, Caz, Trustee, Surabhi from the Fundraising team.

The Brightwell was invited to have a stand at the “Living Well with MS” event hosted by the MS Society at the Somerdale Pavillion in Keynsham last month. The event was very well attended and received by those living with MS and bought several other organisations that support people living with the condition together including the Brightwell.   There were talks by Emily Wilford, the MS Physiotherapy at the Brain Centre on Exercise and Moving More. View or download Emily’s presentation below. Sasha Leigh, Counsellor at the Brightwell talked about “Emotional Health” and the emotional impact of MS as well as coping strategies and where to find support. View or download Sasha’s presentation below Doro Pasantes, CEO at The Brightwell,  also did a presentation on the Brightwell and the Social Connections that we nurture and encourage at the Centre.  We were able to touch base again with some lapsed Centre members who attended and reach out to many new people who would benefit from our support.   View or download Doro’s presentation below There were representatives present from most of the MS Society Groups in the Greater Bristol and Bath area and from other organisations such as the Bristol and South Gloucestershire Carers Support Centre, WECIL and Overcoming MS.    Watch this space, as over 2025 we will be working more closely with these organisations with a view to delivering in Centre support to Carers, information, advice, and peer support to those newly diagnosed and who want to find out how to live well with long-term neurological conditions as well as some therapy outreach South of Bristol.   Participants on the day were asked to highlight the services which already exist in their area and which they value and use as well as those that don’t, and they would like to have. As soon as this information is made available, we will share it with you.     The event was rounded off by an extremely interesting talk by Beth Grimsey, Research Programme Manager for the MS Society who presented some new insights into how far we have come in the last 30 years with research in and treatments for MS.  As well as setting out the MS Society’s research priorities for the future which include research into preventing immune attacks,  promoting myelin repair, and protecting the nerves from damage with particular emphasis on therapies and treatments for those living with Primary and Secondary Progressive MS. View or download Beth’s presentation below All in all, it was an extremely positive day for the Brightwell to build on existing relationships and to make new connections. We hope to be able to raise awareness of the advances and support available and deliver on these benefits through the coming year.

Our October Newsletter is packed full of the latest news, events and updates from The Brightwell,

Come and join us for a fabulous festive market on Saturday 30th November from 11am - 2pm as we countdown to Christmas. Showcasing a wide variety of gifts and crafts, this will be the perfect opportunity to start (or finish) your Christmas shopping. With the variety of wonderful local stall holders, you are sure to find the perfect Christmas gifts for family and friends. Mini Massive Sax Flextet  will be bringing the festive tunes to life - all donations are greatly received for the charity. There will be a number of fun games to take part in and scrumptious refreshments on sale throughout the event to purchase too. Accessible parking only is available at the Centre, with limited street parking nearby. The Willow Brook Centre offer free parking for up to 4 hours, and is only a short walk away. Christmas starts here! There is no need to book just come along on the day and enjoy, entry is FREE. So, come along and kick off the festive season whilst supporting The Brightwell and our mission to support people affected by MS and other neurological conditions. We can't wait to see you there!

My name is Giselle and I live in Bradley Stoke with my husband and my eldest son and our dog Heidi, just 7 months old!  My daughter currently lives in Manchester.  I grew up in Buckinghamshire where I started my career in the health service as an admin clerk in Windsor, then joined the civil service until 1993. I married a year later and relocated to Bristol to start a family.   I am half German, being brought up bilingual, by my late German mother. My hobbies include travelling, in particular Germany visiting family. I also enjoy reading and writing to relax. I  started writing in the first lockdown of 2019 and have never looked back, I have since published my second  book this October.   I joined the centre in January 2013, after being diagnosed with primary progressive MS in November 2012. Since then the centre changed its name to The Brightwell, offering treatments for many more people with other neurological disorders such as fibromyalgia, ME, Parkinson’s, to name a few.   My initial symptoms were muscular leg cramps, causing me balance and walking issues. I started with one to one physiotherapy and joined the group classes which I highly benefited from. During this time I did my own research, discovering many pain coping mechanisms, after realising that prescribed medication caused me too many side effects. Hence, I take alternative natural products, which agree far better with me, with less harmful toxins in them.  These include Vitamin D3, turmeric capsules and more recently lion’s mane supplement  for better focus and less brain fog. I must stress, however that everyone is unique, one size does not fit all.  I also enjoy yoga for mindfulness and other exercises for improved strength and wellbeing.   In 2014 I started weekly hyperbaric oxygen therapy at the Brightwell which keeps me reasonably mobile and I would recommend to anyone to try it out for themselves. I find it helps me with both fatigue and balance issues.    One reason I love attending the Centre is for the social aspect it provides. I have made many good friends there and look forward to enjoying  a cuppa and something yummy from the Brightwell Café, Paula and her team of Café Volunteers are absolutely fabulous.

Bradley Stoke Town Council held their annual Fireworks Night last night at the Jubilee Centre in Bradley Stoke. This community event is held yearly to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night and to raise money for the Mayors Charities. This year the Mayors Charities are The Brightwell, Mamas Bristol and Diabetes UK. As one of the mayors chosen charities, some of our incredible volunteers along with staff attended the event to volunteer and fundraise. The evening was full of fireworks, music and sweet treats. The Jubilee Fields were packed with attendees whom hopefully all donated towards the charities. A massive thank you to Bradley Stoke Town Council for hosting an incredible event, the fireworks were the best yet! Also to our amazing volunteers Paula, Sophie, Janet, Mike, Roger, Maggie and Trevor for volunteering and representing The Brightwell at this event.

Mojo Active, based in Almondsbury, offer a range of fun and challenging activities for children and adults, such as assault course, high ropes, zorbs, archery and more. They host an annual festive fun run in support of a charity of their choice, and this year they have kindly chosen The Brightwell. This years run takes place on Sunday 1st December. There are two courses that you can embark on. 5K course  (for adults and children 7 years+) which features mud pits, tunnels, ditches mud slides, leopard crawls, water pits, tyre obstacles and straw bale climbs. 2K course  (for adults and children 5 years +) which includes a short section through an optional shallow stream and some muddy ditches. All children under 13 years will need to be accompanied on the course by an adult with a maximum of 2 children per adult. There will be marshals along each course cheering and encouraging you on. Spectators are very welcome and there will be additional activities on site, including a Brightwell stand! Ticket prices: Adult £15 Child £12.50 (16yrs & under) Family ticket £50 (2 adults/2 children or 1 adult/3 children) Take part and fundraise for The Brightwell on this muddy run by collecting a sponsorship form from the centre and getting sponsors in the lead up to the big day. Tickets are available at: https://bookings.mojoactive.co.uk/event/muddy-madness Thank you to Mark from Mojo Active for involving us in this wonderful event.

Can you help with some important research for the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority? They are conducting focus groups looking at accessibility products and bus information for those with physical, hidden and mental health disabilities. Would you like to take part in one of the focus groups? To be eligible to take part you will need to: • be a regular user of public transport • have a physical, hidden or mental health disability You will be paid £25 cash for your time to cover for any out of pocket expenses. We have two groups: • Wednesday, 23 October, 2pm – 3.30pm Turnberries Community Centre, Bath Road, Thornbury, CS352BB • Tuesday, 29 October, 5.30pm – 7pm Somerdale Pavillion, Tiberius Road, Keynsham, BS312FW They have limited spaces for these groups so it is essential that you book your place by emailing kelly.jones@futurefocusresearch.co.uk. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis Please see poster below for further information...

Over the past few weeks there has been a great deal of information on TV, in the papers and online discussing Pension Credit. This has been triggered by the Government now means-testing eligibility for the Winter Fuel Allowance, which is now limited to those in receipt of Pension Credit. However, the very worrying statistic is how many people are eligible for this support, but do not claim it. We hope this article will help anyone who has not checked their eligibility for Pension Credit and may be eligible. Overview Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charge Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension. You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home. If you get Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as: Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in Winter Fuel Payment Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in a Council Tax discount a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments, if you get a certain type of Pension Credit help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house Eligibility You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit. If you have a partner, you must include your partner on your application. You’ll be eligible if either: you and your partner have both reached State Pension age one of you is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age A partner is either: your husband, wife or civil partner - if you live with them someone you live with as a couple, without being married or in a civil partnership Your income When you apply for Pension Credit your income is calculated. If you have a partner, your income is calculated together. Pension Credit tops up: your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs. What counts as income State Pension other pensions earnings from employment and self-employment most social security benefits, for example Carer’s Allowance What does not count as income Not all benefits are counted as income. For example, the following are not counted: Adult Disability Payment Attendance Allowance Christmas Bonus Child Benefit Disability Living Allowance Personal Independence Payment social fund payments like Winter Fuel Allowance Housing Benefit Council Tax Reduction If you’re entitled to a personal or workplace pension and you have not claimed it yet, the amount you’d expect to get still counts as income. If you’ve deferred your State Pension, the amount of State Pension you would get is counted as income. You cannot build up extra amounts for deferring your State Pension if you or your partner are getting Pension Credit. Your savings and investments If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments this will not affect your Pension Credit. If you have more than £10,000, every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week. What you'll get Pension Credit tops up: your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner You may get extra amounts if you have other responsibilities and costs.   What to do next T o find out more  and apply, please visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit You can also call Pension Credit claim lineTelephone: 0800 99 1234 If you have any Additional queries please call Citizens Advice Bureau on 0808 278 7957 or AgeUK 0800 0556112. Don’t forget we also hold CAB Sessions here at The Brightwell, please call 01454 201686 to book an appointment.

Our Halloween Party took place on Saturday at the Centre and welcomed 28 children who were ready to dance the afternoon away with Barbie and Wednesday Addams. The children had the opportunity to dance with the stars as well as play games and take pictures with them. With sweet cones and bags of popcorn available, they were fuelled and excited for an afternoon of musical fun. A huge thank you to the entertainment company, Magical Moon Entertainment, who put on a great performance. Also to Explore Learning and The Valet Club, who kindly sponsored this event. Without your support this event wouldn't have been possible. We raised an amazing £280! Thank you to our generous donors and amazing community who continue to attend our events, your support helps us raise vital funds to ensure therapy is available to support those affected by neurological conditions.