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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

As a charity, we depend on our fantastic and dedicated Volunteers who work with us regularly to keep us going.   However, at The Brightwell, we are very fortunate to also be supported by groups of volunteers that come to us from the corporate sector.   Huge thanks to a lovely team from Lloyds Banking Group who volunteered at the Centre on Friday, 20 June. It was a very hot day, and they did a fabulous job in the grounds.   They helped re-varnish our wooden outdoor tables and chairs as well as our garden benches, did plenty of weeding and tidying up and planted some lovely ground cover plants that they had kindly donated to us.   Most of the group had not been to The Brightwell before but were amazed and delighted to hear about the work that we do here.   The team enjoyed lunch in our café and were also kind enough to contribute to our 40K for 40 years crowdfunder as well as purchasing some tickets for our Birthday Prize Draw. Many thanks to all of them for their hard work!   To find out more about volunteering at The Brightwell, please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/volunteer

As everyone is no doubt aware, we are proudly celebrating four decades of supporting those living with MS and other neurological conditions. Last Thursday, 19 June, we celebrated with Members, Staff and Volunteers both past and present, here at the Centre. The weather was perfect and the Centre and Garden looked fabulous. There were some lovely displays, showing photos from the past, including some excellent ones of the old Nailsea Centre and the Brightwell Centre’s official opening presided over by HRH Princess Ann. We had a delicious buffet and a special Brightwell birthday cake to help us celebrate the occasion. Doro, supported by Keith Taylor, one of the founder members, gave a speech on the importance of the Brightwell’s people; Members, Carers, Volunteers, Trustees, Therapists,  Staff and Supporters all are valued and appreciated and all have left their mark on the Centre is some way.  After Keith blew out the candles, everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to The Brightwell. It was a really lovely afternoon, with lots of chatter and laughter. It was great to see so many faces from the past who all contributed to making the fantastic Brightwell Community we have today. Thank you to everyone who made this such a memorable afternoon!

On 12 June, we hosted a talk by the Sirona NHS Specialist Falls Service. This talk was arranged by Wendy Patterson as part of our Carers Support Group Programme. The talk was well attended by over 20 members and carers whose lives are affected by the risk and consequences of falls. The talk was presented by Luise and Donna from the Sirona Specialist Falls Service. It was a lively, interactive talk with a lot of great advice and tips. We thought it would be very beneficial to share this information. They have their own YouTube channel. Please check out the video below. 3-Step videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKUdUuPyBB5kEiNutBe6pfK6B7fS_FWYb&si=Xd5kv1lPFsAYqyfn Below are links to some very helpful leaflets and guides in PDF format. Backwards Chaining: https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/uploads/llt-backward-chaining-v2-2018.pdf Get Up & Go – a Guide to Staying Steady (CSP): https://www.csp.org.uk/system/files/get_up_and_go_0.pdf Staying Steady (Age UK): https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/information-guides/ageukig14_staying_steady_inf.pdf The Brightwell looks forward to developing the relationship with the Sirona Falls Team and may even to able to support them with input into some of the resources that they are developing regarding information for Carers. Please keep an eye out for our Blogs and Newsletters for future dates for Carers Group meetings and talks.

Optimising nutrition for MS – Focus on perimenopause, menopause and bone health Thursday 26 June at 4pm All information can be found at https://ms-uk.org/optimising-nutrition-for-ms-focus-on-perimenopause-menopause-and-bone-health/   Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can significantly impact women living with multiple sclerosis (MS), but it’s possible to support both your health and quality of life during this transition with the right nutritional strategies.   In this informative and practical session, nutrition expert Jenna will explore how MS symptoms can be affected during perimenopause and menopause, and how targeted nutrition can play a powerful role in managing these changes. With a strong focus on evidence-based approaches, Jenna will help you to understand what your body needs during this life stage and how to adapt your diet to feel your best, now and in the years to come.   We’ll also explore bone health, a crucial consideration for people living with MS and for women entering post-menopause. Jenna will explain the connection between MS and bone density and provide practical guidance on how to strengthen and protect your bones through food, supplements, and lifestyle choices.   What will be covered? MS symptoms during perimenopause and menopause Optimising nutrition during the perimenopause and post menopause Eating for longevity and long-term wellbeing MS and bone health Nutrition to optimise bone health Whether you’re currently navigating menopause, preparing for it, or simply want to strengthen your foundation for long-term health, this session is packed with actionable tips and empowering insights. Join us to gain a better understanding of your body, your nutrition, and how to thrive at every stage of life with MS.   If you missed Jenna’s other sessions on diet and nutrition, don’t worry, you can catch-up anytime. Simply use the past activities filter in the ‘Activities’ section of the portal to access previous sessions covering weight management, MS diets, meal planning, and how to optimise nutrition for MS.   For even more insights, check out our Diet and Supplements and Menopause and MS Choices booklet, packed with practical tips and information.   About Jenna Jenna Cox is a registered nutritional therapist, dedicated to supporting people living with MS as they navigate their journey to optimal health. Diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 2016, Jenna has a personal understanding of the challenges that come with the condition. Download her free resources from www.jennacox.co.uk , and follow her on Instagram @jennacoxnutrition for more tips and inspiration.   How to book To join this session, please log in or register in our Portal area. The session is free to join if you have a monthly or yearly subscription. https://ms-uk.org/login/   You do not need a subscription to join, as you can register and provide a donation for the class. The suggested amount for the class is £7. If you are unable to donate, please follow the instructions within the portal listing to join us for free.   A recording will be made available on the portal after the session and can be viewed if you have booked a ticket either before or after the session has taken place.

We are incredibly proud to announce that Keith Taylor has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to People with Multiple Sclerosis and Other Neurological Conditions. Keith Taylor. 84, is one of the founders of The West of England MS Therapy Centre and still volunteers as a  Senior Oxygen Operator and supports Angela Palmer, our Oxygen Coordinator. The BEM, or British Empire Medal, is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service. It recognises "hands-on" service to the local community, often through long-term charitable or voluntary work, or innovative work that has made a significant difference. The 2025 King’s Birthday Honours list rewards the incredible accomplishments of 1,215 people from across the UK, recognising their contributions and achievements in their various fields. Keith’s involvement with the Charity goes back over 40 years to the early 1980s. Keith’s beloved wife Pat was diagnosed with MS in 1973, and at that time, there was no provision or treatment on the NHS for MS. When looking for treatments for Pat, Keith was investigating the benefits of Oxygen Therapy. At the time, Oxygen Therapy was the only positive response to helping with MS that they could find. Keith was introduced to a lady called Jackie Brightwell, who was looking to set up a chamber for those living with MS, including her husband. They found the venue and raised the necessary funds for the original Centre in Nailsea, near Bristol. Over the years that followed, Keith’s passion to help those living with MS continued, and he was for a long time a member of the Charity’s Management Committee when It became apparent that the Centre had outgrown the Nailsea site. A team of like-minded people, including Keith, Jackie Brightwell, and our Chair at that time, Peter Miller, set up The Moonstone Trust with investors to raise over £1 million to build our current facility here in Bradley Stoke, which opened in 2012. Sadly, Pat passed away in 2010, so she was not able to see the new Centre open, but Keith continued his involvement with the Centre and the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Department. Keith was so delighted that the Centre was renamed The Brightwell, in Jackie’s memory, in 2016. Over the years, Keith has helped train numerous Volunteers to become Oxygen Operators, and has been Regional Training Advisor, now called Oxygen National Advisor, working with other Therapy Centres. Recently, he has been involved with others in the setting up of the standards and training programmes for the Neuro Therapy Network.  These programmes offer standards, operational guidelines, and new training modules for about 50 Centres across the UK, Gibraltar and Jersey. Doro Pasantes, CEO of The Brightwell, enthuses,  “ I have known Keith for the majority of my adult life, and he has always been a tremendous support, role model and mentor to me. The timing of this award to be given to Keith is perfect as we celebrate our 40th Birthday this week. Keith has been with us throughout all four decades. His impact both here at The Brightwell and through spreading his knowledge and passion for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy across all the Centres has positively impacted the well-being of tens of thousands of people, who benefit from this Therapy every week. I am proud to call Keith a dear friend. This honour means so much to everyone in our Brightwell Community and across the Neuro Therapy Network” Keith lives in Yatton and is also an active member of his community and his church. Keith has two sons and is the proud Grandad to four wonderful grandchildren. Congratulations, Keith, a well-deserved honour indeed!

We are delighted to offer a new time for a P4 session on a Monday at 4.30 pm. This means we now offer two sessions as part of our extended hours offer, as there is now one immediately after at 6 pm. These sessions are ideal for those who have to fit in their therapy around work and childcare or who are using the chamber for Sports Injuries. We aim to be able to build on our extended hours offer, and we will keep you updated. If you have any queries about the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy that we offer, please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/oxygen-therapy

The Brightwell 100 is the Charity’s own corporate supporters network. Founded in February 2022, this network has donated tens of thousands of pounds worth of support in terms of financial donations, goods and donated services since it was launched. Many of these donations have been based on items chosen from our “Wishlist.” These Wishlist items can range from major projects, oxygen or physio department items, through to equipment for the garden or café. More details can be found at www.thebrightwell.org.uk/brightwell-100 Please see below our new June Wishlist. This is the most comprehensive Wishlist that we have ever produced. We hope that there is something to attract all our existing Brightwell 100 members and to entice new members to join! What to do next We would very much like to invite you and your team for a visit, and you can find out more about us and the services we provide, plus you can decide which areas of The Brightwell 100 you wish to be involved with, that fits in with your Company’s values and philosophies. For further information about becoming a Brightwell 100 member or to discuss any items on this Wishlist in more detail, please contact Caz Blake-Symes, Trustee and Brightwell 100 coordinator, caroline.blake-symes@thebrightwell.org.uk Please also visit the Brightwell100 section of our blog www.thebrightwell.org.uk/blog/categories/brightwell-100 Thank you for your interest in supporting The Brightwell.

This is the first time that we have produced an Impact Report in this format and we are delighted with how it gives a great representation of everything that goes on here at The Brightwell. The report is packed full of great images, facts, statistics and information. The report includes sections on Our Story So Far Who We Support Our Therapies A Letter From Our Chair A  Letter From Our CEO 2024 In Numbers Fundraising Stories from Our Members Meet Our Volunteers Acknowledgements. Whether you are a Member,Volunteer,Member of Staff or a Supporter this is an excellent document, offering so much information regarding the Charity, its work and people, operational insights and community. You can view or download a copy of this report by clicking on the link below. A hardcopy version can be available on request, please call 01454 201686. Thank you to everyone who was involved in compiling all the data and information, photos and design for this report.

Today, Monday 9 June, sees the start of Carers Week here in the UK. What is Carers Week? Carers Week is a yearly campaign that aims to highlight the challenges faced by carers, and recognise the outstanding contribution that unpaid carers make to their families, friends and communities up and down the UK. Anyone who looks after a family member or friend who has a mental or physical illness, a disability, an addiction, or requires additional support as they age, is a carer. Caring responsibilities can have a huge impact on the carer’s life, both day-to-day and long term, affecting relationships, health, finances, school and work. In some cases, the individuals involved might be unaware they’ve become a carer as the transition from short-term help to long-term care can sometimes be subtle. Therefore, another aim of Carers Week is to help people recognise if they’ve become an unpaid carer, signpost what help might be available, and encourage them to reach out for help when they need it. For more information, please visit www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/ Carers at The Brightwell Here at The Brightwell, we recognise that a large proportion of our members rely on their partners, children, siblings and friends to be their Primary Carer. We appreciate the amount of hard work and dedication this requires, often on a 24/7 basis. We have recently set up a Carers Support Group, coordinated by Wendy Patterson. This group has held several talks, and we have set up an information point for carers to the right of the Café. Our next talk takes place this Thursday, 12 June, at 2 pm. Please come along and join us to hear an informative talk by team members from the Sirona NHS Specialist Falls Service, who will be presenting a session about the Prevention and Management of Falls. We also invite Carers to become a “Centre Friend”  for an annual subscription of just £35. This entitles the individual to enjoy any therapies, including the Specialist Clinic sessions at the subsidised suggested contribution rate. We know a number of carers find having a massage, acupuncture or reflexology very beneficial, and these sessions offer the opportunity to have a break and relax. On behalf of each and every member of our extended Brightwell Community, we would like to thank all carers, both paid and unpaid, for the amazing work they do. We could not manage without you!

We’re turning 40 - and we want YOU to help us celebrate in the biggest, most exciting way ever! To mark this incredible milestone, we’re launching our BIGGEST and BEST raffle yet - with 40 amazing prizes up for grabs!  Want a shot at winning? Here’s just a taste of what you could take home: 🏡 A weekend getaway in a fully accessible cottage for up to 6 people 🚀 A brand-new whizzy rollator to keep you moving in style 🎶 A one-of-a-kind signed programme from Irish chart-toppers The Script 🏎️ Tickets to the Goodwood Festival of Speed (courtesy of Alpine) 🏏Family tickets to any home game at Gloucestershire Cricket Club ⛳ 4 Ball Voucher for 18 holes at The Bristol Golf Club - Almondsbury (courtesy of Kellaway Building Supplies) 🎯 A night of social darts + meal vouchers at The Village Hotel … and SO much more! 🎟 Get your raffle tickets now at reception or click here! Don’t miss out - These prizes are too good to pass up! Good luck - and thank you for celebrating 40 fantastic years with us!

Adapted from a BBC article by Alastair Fee, Health correspondent 5 June 2025 A Parkinson's disease patient has been able to play sports he thought he had "given up for good" after wearable technology helped improve his balance and movement. David Muskett, from Bournemouth, is taking part in a trial run by the University of Southampton that uses Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to improve mobility and reduce falls. Electrical pads attached to the leg create a nerve impulse which causes the muscles to move. "It's feeling like I'm walking before I had Parkinson's," Mr Musket said. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with the neurological condition 10 years ago. He was fitted with the FES device at Salisbury Hospital as part of the trial aimed at finding out if it can get movement in paralysed or weak muscles. A pad stuck to Mr Muskett's leg transfers a small stimulation current, which is triggered by a switch in his shoe. It creates a nerve impulse that causes the leg muscles to move. More that 200 people with Parkinson's at eight sites around the UK are testing the device, which is already used by people with Multiple Sclerosis and stroke patients to improve their walking ability. Mr Muskett, who was first diagnosed with the neurological condition 10 years ago, has been to take part in badminton and golf, sports he thought he would never be able to play again. He has also joined a local walking football team made of people with Parkinson's - the Dorset Parky Striders. "Normally I fall over a few times when I'm playing, but this is just amazing. Balance, everything I just feel more confident moving around the pitch. "I feel I'm walking normally, I've good balance, I can feel the acceleration when I'm walking which I never had before" A small square patch with cable attached is stuck on a leg, with rolled-up black tracksuit bottoms. The trial follows an earlier feasibility study in which participants reported increased walking speed and fewer falls. Prof Maggie Donovan-Hall, from the University of Southampton, said the earlier study showed participants "walked faster, took larger strides, and had fewer falls". "Interestingly, these benefits persisted even after some participants stopped using the device, indicating that it had a 'training effect'," she said. "Participants also reported important wider benefits to their overall wellbeing, independence and family life." Patients are already taking part at hospitals in Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds, Salisbury, Swansea, Derby and Ipswich, as well as the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in North Wales. Researchers are calling for more people to come forward to take part in the study, which it is hoped could see devices made available as a low-cost treatment on the NHS to those with Parkinson's Disease. What is Parkinson's disease? Parkinson's Disease affects about 148,000 people in the UK It is caused by a loss of nerve cells in part of the brain called the substantia nigra A loss of the chemical dopamine, which plays a vital role in regulating movement, leads to involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body Although there's currently no cure, treatments such as physiotherapy occupational therapy and medication are available to help reduce the main symptoms and maintain quality of life for as long as possible Parkinson's Disease is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative condition in the UK, after Alzheimer's disease. It is also growing faster than any other neurological condition, with about 18,000 new diagnoses each year Source: NHS Brightwell’s FES Clinic The Brightwell has been running a FES Clinic for a number of years For more information please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/therapies/fes-clinic Whether you have MS, Parkinson’s or any other condition, please book an appointment to book a FES Consultation with us here at The Brightwell. Please call 01454 201686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk .