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Meet our new Counsellor Sasha Leigh Sasha is a qualified Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist and registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (PGDip, MBACP). Therapeutic counselling is a process which involves exploring your unique circumstances and challenges to help you improve how you’re feeling and make beneficial changes in your life. Sasha works to build open and trusting therapeutic relationships and will take time to listen, explore and understand the world from your point of view and at your own pace. You can talk about anything that’s troubling you, confidentially[1] and without judgment, including things you may not have felt able to share with anyone else. Sasha holds a deep interest in people and is continually inspired by the changes people make through counselling. She finds real meaning in helping people find their way to feeling more fulfilled and content in their lives. Sasha has wide experience working with many mental health symptoms including depression, anxiety, stress and burnout. Whilst she works with all the challenges life can bring, she has particular experience and interest in long-term and chronic health conditions, major life transitions and change, grief and loss. She also has specialist training and experience in working with past trauma. Sasha’s experience as a counsellor includes working in NHS primary care general practice in England and in a trauma therapy service in South Wales. She has over fifteen years of experience with the Samaritans providing emotional support over the phone, face-to- face and via email and has also supported individuals longer-term through Bristol-based organisations such as the West of England Centre for Inclusive Living (WECIL), Changes and Womankind. She is currently also a volunteer counsellor with St Peter’s Hospice. Sessions last 50 minutes. Contribution per session £35. If you want more information about the counselling or to book an appointment please speak to reception. [1]There are some exceptions for legal and ethical reasons which will be explained to you.

We were delighted to welcome back two groups of Volunteers from the Civil Service. Despite terrible weather for this time of year, the sun shone on both days that these groups of volunteers were with us. We are so grateful to both groups who have helped before and know the Centre and the outdoor space well. Steve Fitt, our Premises Manager who also coordinates the volunteer days, commented” These two groups achieved so much in the garden and outdoor areas of the Centre, we are so fortunate to have help to keep everything looking so lovely with amazing support from our regular volunteers and our corporate volunteers.” Steve continued” The completed jobs included the garden table was sanded and stained to complete the set of refurbished garden furniture, lots of weeding was carried out on the flower beds and paving, the electrical plant room floor was painted, our new water butt was installed, the grass was mown, just to name a few things, just fantastic!” Thank you from everyone at The Brightwell for all your hard work!

Fri, 01 Sept Mighty MS Blue Moon Swim Be thereWhen and where 01 Sept, 19:00 Trench Lane, West Country Water Park, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS36 1RY, UK About Join our Mighty MS Moonlight Swim this September which we have collaborated with West Country Water Park. Tickets are £10 each & 60% of ticket sales will go to The Brightwell, to continue delivering life-changing therapies & vital support to those affected by neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s & Long Covid. This special fundraising event falls on the Blue Moon which only comes around once every two or three years, hence the saying “once in a Blue Moon”, and it occurs when there are two full moons in the space of one month. In 2018 there were two Blue Moons in one year, a phenomenon that won’t happen again until 2037. 8:00-9:00pm- Live music at dusk & refreshments available to purchase to enjoy whilst you enjoy the tranquil tunes next to the lake. 9:00pm- 11:00pm Guests will enjoy swimming under the stars in groups of 20. (should you wish to swim with friends or family please arrive at the same time to be put into the same swim group on the night). TICKETS ON SALE NOW to purchase now visit: Night Glow Swimming - West Country Water Park Be there! As they say, its only once in a blue moon!! As they say, its only once in a blue moon! Tickets on sale now via West Country Water Park's website only:

For just £1 per entry you could be in for a chance to win this stunning M&S Chocolate and Champagne Hamper worth £100! A luxurious bottle of Louis Vertay Champagne sits beside sweet treats, displayed in a large wicker hamper. Discover single-origin chocolate bars, florentines, and hazelnut creme. Enjoy the Belgian chocolate biscuits with luxury Belgian hot chocolate flakes, a true decedency not to be missed. Kindly donation by one of our members Margaret O'connor in memory of her late mother Monica Thomas. The prize draw will run for 1 month from 7th Aug - 7th Sept and shall be called via electornic random name generator on 7th September at 12pm. Hamper Contents Collection Belgian Hot Chocolate Flakes Tin (240g) Collection Belgian Chocolate Luxury Biscuits (380g) Louis Vertay Champagne (75cl) Collection Belgian Milk Chocolate Florentines (170g) Collection Marc de Champagne Truffles (125g) Collection Signature Batons (130g) Collection Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Crème (360g) Wicker Basket with Liner How to buy tickets Please click on the link to buy your draw tickets www.thebrightwell.org.uk/product-page/luxury-hamper-prize-draw Tickets are also available from Reception at The Brightwell.

Living with a neurological condition can be complex and challenging whether it’s caused by a long-term illness like Multiple Sclerosis or the sudden effects of something like long Covid. The Brightwell in Bradley Stoke provides a range of therapies – oxygen therapy, physiotherapy and specialist clinics – to help anyone suffering from a neurological problem, whether it’s permanent or temporary. Raising funds to provide these vital services is a constant struggle which is why Wards Solicitor’s Katherine Roe, who works in the Bradley Stoke office, is so delighted to have formed a very special partnership with The Brightwell. Make a Will – help The Brightwell Every month, Katherine – an Associate Solicitor in the Wills, Probate and Mental Capacity team – visits The Brightwell to help people who want to make or update a standard Will. She gives her time and expertise for nothing in return for a donation to the charity. Katherine says: “Our scheme with The Brightwell has been running for six months now and is proving very popular. “It is hugely rewarding to be able to provide properly drafted Wills whilst at the same time raising money for such a worthwhile and important cause. “Many of those who have decided to make a Will attend the centre on a regular basis. It is lovely to hear from them in person about how much they benefit from the therapies offered there and the difference it makes to them.” Why is it important to make and regularly review your Will? It puts you in control of the final destination of your estate and brings you peace of mind knowing that your family, friends and the charities of your choice will be provided for as you wish. ·It’s an inexpensive way of avoiding difficulties for your family and friends when you die because it sets out exactly what you want. You can appoint people you know and trust as executors so everything is handled how you want for your beneficiaries. ·Regularly updating your Will means you won’t miss out on fast changing tax laws like Inheritance Tax. You can be clear about what kind of funeral you want. How to make a Will with Wards at The Brightwell Katherine usually visits the centre on the first Friday of the month but please book ahead by contacting The Brightwell on 01454 201 686 or email community@thebrightwell.org.uk

My name is Geoff Mayell, some eighteen months ago, I had the privilege of being asked to become a Trustee of the Brightwell and earlier this year, I became the Chair of Trustees. I’m a proud Bristolian, born and educated in our great city. In 1974 I started work for an Energy Company – I retired in 2014 having worked all that time for the same company. That might sound single tracked to some but in that time, I held a wide range of roles, worked with some wonderful colleagues in a number of different countries and gained a wealth of experience. I worked in direct operations, managing some very large teams of people from very diverse backgrounds, I worked in procurement and contract management and in my last role as project manager, I delivered a number of multi-million-pound projects. I found retirement a challenge and grasped the opportunity to do some consultancy work, also in the energy sector, this time delivering a technology project. This work enabled me to look at other options – a chance to ‘give something back’ I started volunteering within a community and vocational setting, without doubt, this is the most rewarding thing I have ever participated in. Joining the board of Trustees and now chairing the board of Trustees at the Brightwell is an honour and further enriches that opportunity to volunteer. I hope my extensive experience, business acumen and commercial grounding adds value to the Centre. But why is the Brightwell so important to me? What inspired me to join my fellow Trustees? A number of years ago, I lost my best friend. He had type one diabetes, which ultimately resulted in him losing both of his legs due to acute ulcers and then he contracted cancer, and we lost him. My best friend was my dad, there were no options then for relief from the ulcers or the awful pain that resulted from them, if he had had the opportunity of a course of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, as we offer in our Chamber, it might have gone some way towards increasing the ability of his body to repair those ulcers, alleviate the pain and we might just have had the opportunity of having him with us for a little longer. That is what inspired me to become a Trustee, a compelling wish to support this wonderful charity and the work that is done at The Brightwell. If you see me next time that I am at the Centre- please come and say hello, it‘s always great to meet and get to know those in our Brightwell community. Geoff Mayell

In the days and weeks building up to the big day on 29 July, the weather was just awful. However, on the day the sun shone and the event was a massive success. We had made the decision in advance to move most of the stalls indoors. We are so lucky to have lots of different areas and rooms within the Centre as well as a great outdoor space. At the event on the day, there was such a brilliant atmosphere and we were so pleased and thankful that so many people from the community came along to support us. A big thank you to Taylors Estate Agents, based in Bradley Stoke for sponsoring this event and putting up their fab boards promoting the Fete. We would like to thank the work carried out by our Fundraising Team, it takes weeks of planning and hard work to get an event like this together. The day was such a success thanks to our AMAZING volunteers. All of our own stalls were manned by our volunteers, they were even marshaling the car park, as well as all the hours of preparation beforehand, helping on the day and clearing down at the end. The community we have here at the Centre is undeniably amazing and getting everyone together for these events has the most uplifting feeling. Everyone appreciates all that our volunteers give to make therapy at The Brightwell possible. As well as being an enjoyable day we also raised £1470! You can keep up to date with all our upcoming events by visiting the Events section of our blog at www.thebrightwell.org.uk/blog

Bingo Night - September 2023 6 Prize Bingo Games, 2 Cash Bingo Games plus 'Silly Bingo' BYO drinks and nibbles and enjoy a great night out with friends and family! When and where 20 Sept, 19:00 – 21:30 Bradley Stoke, The West of England MS Therapy Centre Bradbury House, Wheatfield Dr, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 9DB, UK About Join our regular fun-tastic bingo night! Join friends, family and make new friends on the night. Everyone welcome! For more detail please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/events/bingo-night-september-2023

Enjoy a fantastic evening of music from the Apollo Wind Band this September, all in support of The Brightwell, a local charity supporting people affected by neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis. When 30 Sept, 19:00 – 21:30 Where Winterbourne Community Centre , Watleys End Rd, Winterbourne, Bristol BS36 1QG, UK A night you won't want to miss! Enjoy a fantastic evening of music from the Apollo Wind Band this September, all in support of The Brightwell, a local charity supporting people affected by neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis. Tickets £10pp Concert begins at 8 pm, pre-bar from 7 pm Raffle on the night with lots of prizes up for grabs! We can't wait to see you there! For further information please visit: www.thebrightwell.org.uk/events/apollo-wind-band-concert

We gladly welcomed back Rolls Royce on the 20 July, for some help with the garden, which turned out to be far more than that. We welcomed 23 volunteers on the day organised by Mark Savage. Each and every one of the team were brilliant, aided by beautiful sunshine. The usual weeding tasks were carried out, along with the willow weaving of our screened seating area and the mowing of our lawn. Lots of garden waste was bagged, and a team helped us lower some of our parking curb stones for a future project. A major transformation took place with 3 of our patio chairs being sanded and oiled bringing them back to their former glory, not to mention the 2 benches within the willow seating area. Take a look at the photos to see the results of all the team’s efforts and enthusiasm. Thank you Mark and the Rolls Royce Team for all your hard work!

We are delighted to welcome Therese Staniland to the Brightwell from Wednesday 2 August 2023. Therese Staniland, originally from South Africa and has been in the beauty and nail industry since 2002, she was a trainer for Star Nails and owned her own training school in South Africa. She will be offering specialist foot care treatments and procedures. She is qualified as a Level 4 foot health practitioner and is passionate about the therapies she offers. Services Include: ·Cut and file nails ·Nail reconstruction ·Care in diabetic Feet ·Corns ·Hard skin removal (Callus) ·Veruca Treatment (Verrutop) ·Ingrowing toenails ·Nail fungus treatment ·Foot or Lower Leg Massage ·Manicures with gel polish. 2 sessions per month from Wednesday 2nd August. 30 minutes or 1hr appointments available. Follow up sessions 6/8 weeks. Cost: 30 mins £25 60 mins £40 Please call reception to make an appointment – Don’t miss out! Call us on 01454 201686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk

The Brightwell 100 initiative was launched in February 2022 and thanks to the generosity of supporters, we have already been able to put funds towards the new oxygen generation project, the new terrace & garden area, physio team uniforms and equipment, plus new IT equipment for staff and volunteers. Our most recently funded projects are training and start-up equipment for the new FES Clinic and a donated commercial dishwasher, for the café. Brightwell 100 members have also donated labour and discounted goods to help with emergency boiler replacement and donated equipment for the new café. We also have ongoing financial support with sponsored merchandising. Other money raised from all the numerous fundraising activities, funding from grants and donations from trusts planned and sourced by the Fundraising Team at The Brightwell, will be used to focus on ensuring that The Brightwell’s overheads and running costs are covered. The overall fundraising ensures that therapies are affordable and no one living with a neurological condition is ever turned away, which in most cases means individuals’ physio and oxygen sessions are subsidised by the charity. Therefore, every pound raised through the Brightwell 100’s corporate fundraising is allocated to specific projects and enhancements from the Wishlist, adding real and immediate value. The Brightwell 100 is looking to support the charity’s “Project Green” fundraising. We have already received £5,000 from a Brightwell 100 supporter, which was used to change all the outdoor lighting to LED. The next step is to replace all the lighting in the physiotherapy department. Due to limited natural light and constant use, the conversion to LED will give immediate energy cost savings. The other items on the list are items to enhance our service users’ experiences We are now looking for businesses to support us with this fundraising for the items on the list below. We want to introduce talking therapies for members and their carers. There is very little, if any, support through the NHS, or other routes, for those living with neurological conditions, in particular MS. We are looking to offer counselling and peer-to-peer sessions, including art and music therapy, for our service users. We would also like to offer support to those who are carers too. Most carers, looking after our members are partners or relatives and this can put a great strain on families. It is important to note that this is not a one-way relationship, and we are keen for all Brightwell 100 members to be involved as much as they would like to be. Full benefits of joining this network of supporters and details of existing members can be found at www.thebrightwell.org.uk/brightwell-100 Please follow us on LinkedIn and sign up to our blog to keep up to date with all our news and events, the links are below. If you would like to discuss any of these items in more detail or to discuss any other queries regarding becoming a Brightwell 100 member, please contact me. Thanking you in anticipation. Caroline Blake-Symes |Trustee & Brightwell 100 Coordinator Mobile:07970 038135 Email: caroline.blake-symes@thebrightwell.org.uk Web: www.thebrightwell.org.uk/brightwell-100 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-brightwell Blog: www.thebrightwell.org.uk/blog