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We’re delighted to announce that The Brightwell Café has achieved a 5-star Food Hygiene rating from South Gloucestershire Council, following our inspection on Monday 4 March! A food hygiene rating tells consumers about the hygiene standards of a food premises to help them choose where to eat or shop for food. During an inspection, the food safety officer checks how well businesses are meeting the law by looking at: · The handling of food. · How food is stored. · How food is prepared. · Cleanliness of facilities. · How food safety is managed. The scheme gives food premises a rating from 5 to 0, where 5 shows hygiene standards are very good and 0 shows urgent improvements are required. We’re so pleased that The Brightwell Café has been awarded the maximum 5-star rating and that all the care and attention to preparing food taken by the café team has been officially recognised! The café will continue to expand its menu over time – so don’t hesitate to pop in and check out what’s on offer!

This article has been adapted from a feature in the February edition of the MS Society newsletter for professionals. Although this article has been written from an MS perspective, the tips below will often apply for those living with other disabilities and conditions. Please click on the links below for further information. 10 tips to help with everyday costs We know the cost of living crisis is causing challenges for people affected by MS. The MS Society Helpline Benefits Advisers can be contacted on 0808 800 8000 1. Help with your rent if you receive benefits If you get Universal Credit Housing Element or Housing Benefit to help with renting costs, there might be extra support available too.  If these benefits don’t cover your full rent, you might qualify for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). These can help you pay a shortfall in your rent. They’re usually short-term payments. You can apply through your local council. If you apply but you don’t get awarded the DHP payment, you can challenge the decision. To do that, ask for a revision or write a complaint. Here is the link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments 2. Help with your mortgage if you receive benefits If you get Universal Credit or income-related ESA, you might qualify for help with your mortgage payments. This is called Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI). SMI is a loan. You’ll need to repay the money with interest, but not until you sell or transfer ownership of your home. An SMI loan can help pay the interest on up to £200,000 of your loan or mortgage. You may want to get financial advice before applying for SMI. You can get free mortgage and money advice from Money Helper by calling 0800 138 7777. Or you can visit the Money Helper website for more information. https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/contact-us/money-guidance 3. Council Tax Support If you’re on a low income, you may be entitled to Council Tax Support, or help paying your rates if you’re in Northern Ireland. These reduce your local tax bill. Each local council's scheme is different, and you apply through them. You’re unlikely to be entitled if you have savings over £16,000. Click on thIs link to get the ball rolling https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction 4. Council Tax discounts Do you have a second bathroom you use to meet your needs? Or enough space to use your wheelchair indoors? If so, you may be able to get a disability-related reduction in your Council Tax. This is called the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme. If you’re the only adult in your household, you should be entitled to a 25% single person discount on your council tax. Click on the link below to check eligibility https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-council-tax-discount 5. Equipment and practical help Some symptoms of MS can make everyday tasks and self-care more challenging. If you get help on a day-to-day basis, you may be able to get care and support from your local council. To get this support, you’ll need to ask for a care needs assessment. The results of that  assessment could include recommendations for aids or adaptations to your home to help you do daily tasks. It could also include practical help from a paid carer. Once you’ve had a needs assessment, you may qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant – or similar support for equipment or adaptations if you’re in Scotland. A Disabled Facilities Grant comes from your local council and can help you pay for useful adaptations to your home. This could cover things like: widening doors installing ramps installing grab rails A wet room If you live in Wales, you may also qualify for help from the charity Care and Repair. More information is available at the council discount rate above 6. Housing advice If you need advice on housing rights, rent or mortgage arrears, eviction or disrepair, visit the Citizen's Advice website for free advice. You can also visit Shelter’s website for more free guidance.   https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/ Don’t forget we have regular visits from CAB at the Centre. Please see reception for contact details and dates. 7. Everyday budgeting Money Helper’s online budget planner to get you started. You can also use comparison websites like Money Saving Expert and Uswitch to check you’re on the cheapest deal for your gas, electricity, phone, mobile and broadband. These links might be helpful Money Helper Budget Planner https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/budget-planner Money Saving Expert https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ USwitch https://www.uswitch.com/ 8. Debt Owing money can add unwanted stress. If you have debt and you’re struggling with repayments, you can get advice and support from Citizens Advice. And through the National Debtline, you can find out if you can reduce your debt payments. Find your local Citizens Advice https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/nearby/ National Debt Helpline https://nationaldebtline.org/ 9. Grants for utility debts Expensive energy costs are a big concern for many people. But if you’re struggling to pay gas, electricity or water bills, you can ask your energy provider  or utility provider. Contact details will be on your bill. 10. Getting financial support if you have children Looking after children while juggling other outgoings can be hard. But you may be eligible for help covering childcare costs. You can find more information on childcare cost support on the Gov.uk website. You may also be eligible for free school meals through your local council or your child’s school Please also visit Childcare help at gov.uk https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs We hope you have found this blog helpful. The Brightwell plans to run a series of blogs over the coming weeks. These will include looking at eleigibility for PIP, Access to Work and details about more general benefits. However, in the meantime please do not suffer in silence or have sleepless night. You can talk about your issues in confidence with a member of the Brightwell team and we will endeavour to help or signpost you to where that help can be found.

When and where 17 Apr 2024, 18:30 – 22:00 Bradley Stoke, Bradbury House, Wheatfield Dr, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 9DB, UK About The Brightwell Quiz night is back! Doors open at 6.30pm & the quiz starts at 7pm. A fun evening with various rounds including picture and music rounds too! Feel free to come on your own to make new friends, as a couple or with a larger friends/family group. Suitable for all ages from 10+ You are welcome to bring your own drinks (alcoholic or soft drinks) and nibbles to the event. Click here to buy tickets £5 each

A hamper of easter treats! £1 per ticket available online or at Reception. This Easter Hamper includes a variety of treats including items from Lindt, Thorntons and Cadbury. Items include 2 x large Easter Eggs Box of Thorntons Chocolates The famous Lindt bunny Mini Lindt bunnie Cream Eggs Mini Eggs A Scented Candle and much more. All in a beautifully presented basket. Prize draw will be selected on Monday 25th March by 12pm by a random name generator. Click below to buy your tickets! https://www.thebrightwell.org.uk/product-page/easter-hamper-prize-draw

An extensive research study has taken place looking at the impact of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on a man suffering from Dementia over a seven-year period with some incredibly positive results. The work was carried out by a team based at Leicester University, in what was referred to as a multi-place chamber, like the one used here at The Brightwell (please see photo above.) The person involved had two sessions a week at 2 ATA. The report looked extensively at all aspects of HBOT and recognises that it is useful in 27 conditions including many of the conditions we see including Fibromyalgia, Long Covid, Brain fog and sports injuries. The report acknowledges that HBOT is not a recognised treatment for Dementia at present, but the more positive reports we have like this supported by academic facts will only serve to increase the awareness of HBOT in the medical sector. The report is quite a detailed, academic document, you can download it by clicking the link below. For those of you who enjoy finding out more about other related reading, used in this study, there are some useful links in the acknowledgements section at the end of the report. We will, of course, keep you updated on any further developments and research.

Find out all the latest news from The Brightwell, including exciting updates about The Brightwell Cafe

After much anticipation, we are delighted to announce that The Brightwell Café is now fully open and offering some delicious tasty items on the menu. The Café is open to all members, carers, staff volunteers and members of our wider Brightwell community. We are open from 10am with prepared food served until 2.30pm. Other snacks and drinks are available until the Centre closes. As well as great tea, coffee and soft drinks, the following items are here to tempt you and tickle your taste buds: ·a selection of freshly-made sandwiches (with gluten-free options available); ·an assortment of cakes; ·cream teas; ·snacks; and sweet treats. Everything we offer represents great value for money, with freshly-made sandwiches available from £2.50 and we will be developing the menu further over the coming weeks to serve hot food and daily specials. We’re also pleased to launch our great value Brightwell Cream Tea – a lovely treat at any time – bring your friends and family too! There is a choice of seating areas, including our outdoor terrace when the weather improves. The whole Centre is fully accessible and there is free parking too. Paula, our café coordinator, and our team of café volunteers look forward to serving you! And finally, if you or someone you know would like to volunteer to help us run the café in the afternoons then we would love to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Many people living with chronic neurological conditions find symptom relief and increased pain management through having regular acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture works for both chronic long terms symptoms as well as any acute flare-ups . We are very fortunate to have Sam May, a fully qualified and very experienced Acupuncturist with us at The Brightwell, every Friday. Sam uses a number of techniques including Traditional Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture works on an holistic approach benefitting, body, mind and spirit. Acupuncture, which is one form of traditional Chinese medicine, is based on a theory of body functioning that involves the flow of energy — known as qi (pronounced chee) — through 14 pathways (called "meridians") in the body. According to the theories of Chinese medicine, disease results from an imbalance or disruption in the flow of energy and in the optimal balance between the opposite forces of "yin" and "yang." Acupuncture involves stimulating specific locations on the skin, usually by inserting thin, disposable metallic needles into points along the body's meridians to alter the flow of energy. Other methods of stimulating the skin may also be used, including finger pressure (also known as acupressure or shiatsu in Japan), cupping with small heated cups, electroacupuncture with electrically-stimulated needles, and moxibustion with smoldering fibers of an herb called "Asian mugwort." Acupuncture may improve, general well-being, mood, pain levels plus blood circulation digestion immune function ·blood pressure sleep quality ·bladder function ·inflammation Caz Blake-Symes, Brightwell member and Trustee is a great advocate of Acupuncture and comments “I have been having acupuncture for many years and although my MS has progressed, my general well-being is good and I do not take any strong painkillers. I feel that acupuncture gives me increased levels of energy, overall I keep well and focused. On several occasions when I have had specific issues such as shoulder and hip pain, this treatment has really helped.” Sam begins a course of treatments with a full initial consultation and is offering Brightwell members carers, volunteers and staff a 50% discount on their initial consultation between now and the end of April making the initial consultation just £22.50. The follow up sessions are £30 each. Further information ·Visit our Specialist Clinics section of our website to find out more about Sam, the treatment he offers and how to book a consultation. ·Visit Sam’s website lucentacupuncture.com Follow Sam on Facebook www.facebook.com/lucentacupuncture

Jenna Cox will be presenting a talk about nutritional therapy at 1.30pm on 22 February 2024, please come along to find out more.

The Brightwell is always looking for ways in which to support their community of Members as well as the local community. As a registered charity that has supported people affected by neurological conditions for over 30 years The Brightwell understands first hand that there are many invisible barriers to inclusion that can affect so many in society. A hugely important part of the work that the Brightwell does is enabling independence and fostering confidence. Particularly so that people affected by neurological conditions can continue to live a fulfilling and enjoyable life. A large part of this is helping people remain in paid or voluntary employment, for as long as possible. A career can be a huge part of person’s identity, and is something that many able bodied, or neurotypical people can take for granted. Being able to remain in work, is of huge benefit, economically, socially, and of course financially. Being able to achieve success in a profession can really help people affected by illness, or disability feel in control of their lives. With this in mind The Brightwell is excited to welcome an amazing organisation to their Centre in Bradley Stoke! Inclusive Change works with organisations to promote awareness and a better understanding of neurodiversity (ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and more), alongside supporting individuals to achieve greater success in the workplace. Inclusive Change have a range of free resources available on their website and offer courses, coaching and access to work services for individuals, businesses, leaders and families. They also champion digital safety for young people. They are at The Centre Monday-Friday and can be contacted via their website inclusivechange.co.uk. Inclusive Change are also digital safety champions and will be hosting The Castle Conference: Digital Safety and Wellbeing for Young People on 24th April at leigh Court Bristol for further details click here: digital wellbeing for young people 25 April 2024 (icaw-cic.com) .

It's back for 2024! So many missed out on our #corporate packages in 2023 so don't delay in signing your team up today, drop me a message or email at: libby.jordan@thebrightwell.org.uk Dress up is not mandatory but strongly encouraged - who's you're favourite super hero?? Friday 10 May 2024 Slots allocated between 10am - 5pm Village Hotels, Filton, Bristol Raise vital funds to ensure therapy at The Brightwell is available to support people affected by #neurological conditions such as #multiplesclerosis #parkinsons #strokerecovery #oxygentherapy #neurophysio #teambuilding #charityday #bristol #charityabseil

We are delighted to welcome Helen Green to the Brightwell! Helen joins us in a new role as Centre Administrator. Helen will primarily be working with Doro Pasantes, our CEO, and across all departments ensuring the smooth running of the Charity’s administrative and operational requirements. Helen has a varied background in psychology, research and project management and she is also a qualified Solution Focused Clinical Hypnotherapist & Psychotherapist. Helen is delighted to be joining the charity sector and thinks this new role will be both challenging and exciting. She's passionate about helping others and likes to keep busy! Welcome to the Brightwell team Helen!