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We are very pleased to be able to offer our members and non-members living with MS the opportunity to receive support from Caroline Langdon. Caroline has expert knowledge in helping people with all aspects of benefit queries. Caroline can assist you with: Eligibility Queries Helping with the completion of forms Availability of benefits ·And much more… For general enquiries, an appointment will last one hour. For help completing forms, a two-hour appointment will be needed. All appointments are completely confidential. The next date will be on Tuesday, 5 May. Appointments need to be booked in advance. Please call Reception on 01454 201 686 For more information about the Specialist Clinics we offer, please visit https://www.thebrightwell.org.uk/therapies/specialist-clinics

We are looking for a new Trustee to join our Board, and this time we're hoping to find someone with a background in IT and digital systems. As a Trustee, you would be helping to make sure the Brightwell is secure, modern and making the most of technology, so that we can keep growing and reaching even more people who need our support. It is a voluntary role, with quarterly Board meetings and around six hours of your time per month. You don't need experience of charity trusteeship, full training and induction is provided. What matters most is a passion for what we do and some expertise in areas like cyber security, digital strategy, website management or data systems. Is this you? or maybe a family member, a colleague or a friend? if anyone springs to mind, we'd love to hear from them. For a full copy of the Trustee Role Description click below. If you're interested or want to find out more, please drop me an email at doro.pasantes@thebrightwell.org.uk

The Brightwell is delighted to be hosting a monthly Coffee Morning here at the Centre. This event is organised by the MS Society and is aimed at all parents affected by MS living in the Bristol area. WHEN: The first Thursday of every month from 10.00 – 11.30am WHERE: Brightwell Centre, Bradbury House, Wheatfield Dr, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 9DB Kids welcome Free parking Refreshments available from on-site cafe Please  click here to check out a video of parents who are already benefitting from being part of this new community group We look forward to seeing you on Thursday 7 May for our next get together. Contact Maria for more information: bristol@mssociety.org.uk

image courtesy of Freepix At The Brightwell, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is offered as a specialised service to help athletes and fitness enthusiasts accelerate recovery from sports injuries. While the charity primarily supports individuals with neurological conditions, their oxygen therapy suite is open to the public for "non-neurological" needs, including sports rehabilitation. ​ Benefits for Sports Injuries HBOT involves breathing almost 100% pure oxygen in a pressurised chamber. At The Brightwell, this is used to: Accelerate Healing : By increasing the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood plasma, it reaches damaged tissues, ligaments, and tendons more effectively than normal breathing. Reduce Inflammation : It helps decrease swelling and oedema in injured areas. Stimulate Repair:  The therapy promotes the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and collagen production, essential for recovering from fractures or soft tissue tears. Faster "Return to Play":  Many users see noticeable benefits after approximately 5 sessions, significantly shortening recovery time compared to rest alone. ​ Pricing & Membership Because The Brightwell is a charity, their sports injury services are not subsidised like their neurological treatments, but they are priced competitively: Registration/Membership Fee: £50 (for non-neurological/sports users). Session Cost: Approximately £30 per 1-hour session. Availability: Sessions are available 50 weeks a year (closed briefly over Christmas). ​ How to Get Started Enquiry : Contact the "Member Journey Officer" at 01454 201686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk . Registration : You will need to complete a Sports Injury Registration Form, which can be downloaded from our  Join Us page. Assessment : You may be required to have a brief clinical assessment or chat to ensure HBOT is safe for you (e.g., checking for ear/sinus issues or certain heart conditions). The Chamber:  The Brightwell uses a "multi-place" chamber with 7 seats, meaning you sit comfortably in a shared room-like environment while breathing oxygen through a mask. All staff and volunteers are fully trained and experienced in dealing with sports injuries. For further information, please visit Website : www.thebrightwell.org.uk/oxygen-therapy

At The Brightwell, we are absolutely delighted to announce the completion of a long-term project that has been over five years in the making: the total conversion of our Centre’s lighting to LED. This milestone is a massive achievement in our ongoing Sustainability Pledge , and it marks a significant step toward our ultimate goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2035. A Journey of Five Years Great things take time, and for a charity like ours, they also require careful financial planning. This project began half a decade ago, and because of the costs involved, we approached it in stages as funds were raised. We began with the exterior, converting our car park and building lights to ensure a safe and bright welcome for our service users. From there, we moved inside, upgrading the Oxygen Suite and then our Physiotherapy areas. When our lounge and new offices were constructed, LED lighting was built-in from the start, setting the standard for the rest of the building. Today, we have finally crossed the finish line. The final stage covering the corridors, the original offices, our smaller treatment rooms, and all toilet facilities, is now complete. Powered by Community Support We could not have reached this goal without the incredible generosity of our corporate partners and supporters. A special mention must go to Howards Motor Group , the founding members of our Brightwell 100 Corporate Network . Howards Motor Group kindly sponsored our very first outdoor LED project years ago, and they have once again stepped up with a significant contribution to fund this final stage. Their long-term commitment to our centre has been instrumental in making this vision a reality. We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Solarsense , MS People’s Help , and the many other donors and supporters who have contributed to our sustainability fund over the years. A Greener (and More Cost-Effective) Future Completing the LED conversion is about more than just new bulbs; it’s about environmental responsibility and financial resilience. By switching to LED, our lighting bills are now a staggering 78% cheaper. These savings are vital, as they allow us to redirect more of our precious funds directly into the care and support of our service users. This project sits alongside our other major green initiatives, including: A vast array of Solar Panels Three 14kw Tesla Batteries for energy storage Our very own Oxygen Generation Plant, reducing the need for deliveries and heavy transport. The Road to 2035 While we have "ticked a massive box" with this project, our work isn't finished. We have several smaller projects currently underway as we continue to refine our operations and reduce our environmental footprint. A massive shout out and thank you to Paul Williams and his excellent team from Kubix who carried out the work with the minimum amount of disruption to everything going on here at our busy Centre. Every light we switch on today is a reminder of what we can achieve when our community comes together. Thank you for helping us shine a light on a more sustainable future!

On Monday, 13 April, many of our staff and Oxygen volunteers took part in an important safety and knowledge training session. This session was taken by one of our senior oxygen operators, Howard Cheatham. Howard is also a Trustee for The Neuro Therapy Network. The training focused on some vital technical and emergency procedures. Although many of the attendees were experienced operators, we also welcomed some newer volunteers. This session was well attended, and there was a lot of interaction and interesting observations from the participants. It was a particularly busy day at The Brightwell, as we also had our annual fire inspection, so not only did we have lots of additional people in our Oxygen Suite, we also had firemen throughout the centre! It was all very exciting with fire engines on-site and lots of alarm testing! Thank you to everybody who had to change their sessions due to this training. If you would like to find out more about the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy that we offer, please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/oxygen-therapy

If there is one thing we’ve learned at The Brightwell, it’s that our community loves a challenge—especially when it involves trivia, music rounds, and a bit of healthy competition. Our "Fantastic Quiz Nights" have become a staple of our calendar, and for good reason! They are more than just a test of knowledge; they are a celebration of the incredible support system that keeps our Centre running. A Tradition of Trivia and Togetherness As we’ve shared in our recent blog posts, these evenings are all about the atmosphere. Whether it’s the legendary questions set by Gus McVeigh and his sister Mary-Jo—who have been the masterminds behind our brain-teasers for years—or the collective groan when a particularly tricky music round starts, the energy in the room is always electric. These nights are a chance for members, volunteers, and the local Bradley Stoke community to come together, share a laugh, and raise vital funds for the neurological support services we provide. What to Expect: Our Next Quiz # is Just Around the Corner! Are you ready to claim the title of The Brightwell’s brightest? Our next event is officially open for booking, and we want to see you there! When: Wednesday, 22nd April 2026 Time: Doors open at 6:30 PM | Quiz starts at 7:00 PM Where: The Brightwell, Bradbury House, Wheatfield Drive, Bradley Stoke Tickets: Just £5 per person (Teams of up to 6) Why Join Us? The Ultimate Brain Workout: Expect a variety of rounds, including our fan-favourite picture and music rounds. Whether you’re a history buff or a pop-culture pro, there’s something for everyone. Bring Your Own Banquet: We keep things relaxed! You are more than welcome to bring your own selection of drinks (alcoholic or soft) and your favourite nibbles to keep those brain cells fueled. The Raffle: It wouldn’t be a Brightwell event without our exclusive Quiz Night Raffle. We have some fantastic prizes lined up, so don't forget to grab your tickets on the night! Inclusive Fun: You don’t need a full team of six to join. Come solo and we’ll find you a friendly team to join, or bring a bunch of friends or a "cosy couple" duo. Everyone aged 10 and up is welcome. Support a Great Cause Every pound raised from our quiz nights goes directly toward supporting people living with MS and other neurological conditions. It’s a way to have a "fantastic" night out while making a real difference in the lives of our service users.   Spaces fill up fast (our last few nights have been total sell-outs!), so don’t wait. Book Your Tickets Here Polish up those trivia skills, gather your smartest friends, and let’s get quizzical! We can’t wait to see you there.

We are delighted to have appointed two new part-time physiotherapists.  Nathi will be working on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Khoula on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They have both already settled in well, and in fact, Nathi was already familiar with the Centre, having previously volunteered in the department. If you would like to find out more about Physiotherapy at The Brightwell, please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/physio To find out more about The Brightwell team, please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/meet-the-brightwell-team

Looking for the perfect way to spend your Spring Bank Holiday? Mark your calendars for Monday, 25 May, because The Maytree in Bristol is hosting a Charity Fun Day that you won't want to miss! From 12:00 PM onwards, the Maytree at Headley Park will be transformed into a hub of music, games, and community spirit, all in support of The Brightwell Centre in Bradley Stoke. What’s Happening? Whether you're there for the vibes or the prizes, there is something for everyone: Live Music: Get into the holiday spirit with sets from DJ Haigh & DJ Dom. The Massive Raffle: This isn’t just any raffle; the prize pool is incredible! Top prizes include: A brand-new Bike V.I.P. Paint Balling experience An M.O.T. Service Tattoo vouchers Plus lots more… Family Fun: Try your luck at the "Name the Teddy" stall and enjoy the festive, fun-filled atmosphere in the garden. Join the Community Events like these are a fantastic way to enjoy the long weekend while contributing to a vital local cause. The Brightwell Centre provides essential therapy and support for those living with Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological conditions, and your participation helps keep those services running. Event Details: When: 25 May, starting at 12  noon until late Where: The Maytree, St Peter's Rise, Headley Park, Bristol BS13 7QT Contact: Maytreeheadleypark.bristol@stonegategroup.co.uk The Brightwell would like to thank Kelly and all the team at The Maytrree for organising this event and supporting our charity.. Disclaimer: This is a third-party event, and proceeds after costs will benefit The Brightwell. More information about the charity can be found at www.thebrightwell.org.uk .

The London Landmarks Half Marathon takes place this weekend, bringing runners through some of the capital’s most recognisable streets and historic sights. It’s a brilliant event that blends challenge, atmosphere and community spirit, and we’re proud to have four runners taking it on in support of The Brightwell. Fundraising plays a huge part in helping us continue our work, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who chooses to run on our behalf. This year, Sarah, Jess, Oisín and Niamh are stepping up to the start line for us. Their commitment and effort, both in training and in fundraising, make a real difference.   Support Their Challenge If you’d like to back their efforts, you can visit their JustGiving pages below: Niamh: https://www.justgiving.com/page/niamh-mc-daid-1 Sarah: https://www.justgiving.com/page/sarah-hastings-4 Oisín: https://www.justgiving.com/page/oisin-diamond-1 Jess: https://www.justgiving.com/page/jessica-shakhli-1   A Big Thank You To all four runners, thank you for representing The Brightwell and for putting so much into this challenge. We’ll be cheering you on and wishing you a strong, enjoyable race. And to everyone following along, your support means a lot. If you’re able to donate or share their pages, it goes a long way.

We are delighted to have been asked to support Bristol University with some interesting research that they are looking at. They are looking for women aged between 18 and 40, and they are researching the impact on MS symptoms across any given monthly menstrual cycle. Please see the poster and download the participant information sheet below There is a £40 gift voucher for those participating. Thank you.