About The Brightwell
At The Brightwell, we are dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals living with chronic neurological conditions. With 40 years of unwavering commitment, we strive to empower our members by providing access to a warm and friendly, non-clinical environment that fosters independence, symptom management, and overall well-being.
Our Mission
To build a dedicated and compassionate community, committed to the care and wellbeing of individuals living with neurological conditions, their families and carers.
Our Goal
Is to provide a range of therapies and services to support and enrich the lives of those living with neurological conditions.
The Brightwell is...
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A relaxed, happy and caring space, where people can share their experiences, build friendships and access support when it is needed.
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An accessible building providing therapies and support services by qualified professionals.
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A place where the members, volunteers and staff are the cornerstones of a thriving and vibrant community.
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A hub for self-help and positivity.
What we do ...
Our therapies are provided in a warm, friendly non-clinical environment all with the aim to help reduce the physical, emotional and psychological effects of life with a neurological condition.
We have a state of the art physiotherapy gym, oxygen therapy suite and a variety of individual treatment rooms, housing the wide range of therapies and clinics on offer. We are delighted to have recently opened our Brightwell Café, offering a selection of drinks, hot beverages, and snacks, members can relax and catch up with friends in our comfortable lounge In the summer we have a beautiful terrace, large gazebo and garden area for all our visitors to enjoy.
Under 1% of the Centre's funding is statutory, we therefore rely on donations from the public, organisations and community groups to continue our vital work.
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What our members,volunteers and supporters have to say....
Click on the logos to see what others are saying about us on Google and Facebook
Our History
Following the introduction of Centres elsewhere in the country, a local group of people living with Multiple Sclerosis, their families and friends were brought together by Jackie and Ray Brightwell. With the support of ARMS (Action for Research into Multiple Sclerosis) a national organisation, they set up the first MS Therapy Centre to support people in the Bristol area.
The Centre was opened in Nailsea in 1985 and at that time only offered oxygen therapy. Over time physiotherapy, exercise and yoga were introduced. We soon realised how important access to on-going physiotherapy was for people living with long-term conditions and the nucleus of our now well-equipped and well-staffed physiotherapy unit was established.
As the Centre continued to grow counselling, reflexology and acupuncture were added to the therapies available. We also started to host various NHS clinics at the Nailsea Centre, these included an MS specialist nurse, a continence clinic and a speech therapist.
The Centre in Nailsea had been expanded to take in three industrial units but planning restrictions, the nature of the buildings and the cramped car parking facilities made improving our facilities and further expansion impractical.
On the 20th February 2012 we opened the doors at our brand new, purpose built Centre in Bradley Stoke.
The Centre was officially opened by The Princess Royal, Princess Anne on the 31st October 2012.
Research into the benefits of Oxygen therapy has been on-going with many agreeing that it can help many conditions, not just Multiple Sclerosis. From the beginning of 2012 we opened our doors to anyone with a neurological condition, as well as to others through our trading arm with all proceeds going back to the Charity.
In 2016 discussions began with the members to formalise this expansion. At the Cente's AGM in 2017 it was agreed that renaming the Centre in memory of Jackie Brightwell would not only be a fitting tribute to a lady who gave so much to help so many but, was also a way of reaching out to those living with neurological issues.
In 2019, we began the transition to The Brightwell - a Centre for neurological wellbeing and physical recovery. Our aims, strengths and core values remain the same as they were way back in the Nailsea days and we hope to continue to provide timely and effective help for the people who need us, well into the future.
Our Sustainability Pledge
The Brightwell is wholly committed to its Sustainability Pledge to be net Zero by 2050 and to have emmissions reduced by 50% by 50% by 2030.
We try to adopt a “green “approach in whatever we do.
We have been very fortunate that through focused fundraising campaigns, and incredibly generous support from a number of Brightwell 100 members we have achieved so much.
Solar Energy has been a major focus with 114 x 250kw panels being fitted in 2019, upgraded by a further 40 x 400 kw panels in 2023, with the addition of 3 x 14kw storage batteries being installed at the same time. Despite considerable increases in energy costs for commercial properties, the benefit of generating this amount of solar energy has made a significant difference to keeping our fuel bills to a manageable level.
We have also been working on a gradual LED lighting replacement programme. All the outdoor lighting was upgraded to LED in 2022. The internal lighting is an ongoing project. The new offices, meeting room and lounge area are all LED. As of February 2025 the Oxygen Suite has been completed with plans for the Physio department, the Reception and Cafe areas to be completed as soon as funds are available.
In 2022 we started generating our own Oxygen for our Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber, Although this means we are using more power to generate the oxygen, environmentally there is no other impact as we no longer have large tankers making frequent deliveries and there is no waste.
Other improvements have been the upgrade to a more efficient heating boiler and we are always mindful of any equipment purchased or disposed of.
Our green credentials are very important to us here at The Brightwell.
To find out more about the individual projects, how you can help us to fund more, the respective sponsors and the impact, please scroll through to our Blog
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Legal and Regulatory Information
The Brightwell is an umbrella name for two main charities and a trading company.
We are regulated by the Charities Commissions Regulations.
These are The West of England Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre Limited Registered Charity Number 801155.
The Brightwell Neurological Support Centre Limited Registered Charity Number 1109459.
The trading arm is the Bristol Therapy Centre Limited Company Number 0819674.
If you require any further information, please contact our CEO Doro Pasantes on 01454 201686.
Further useful information about The Brightwell....
We very much look forward to welcoming new members to the Brightwell community.
For new members with neurological conditions
Please download our Members Pack.
For new members with non-neurological conditions
Please click here for a registration form
For those with sports injuries
Please click here for a sports registration form.
Ways to keep in touch with The Brightwell
View or download our guide Ways to keep in touch with The Brightwell