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.
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