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Therapy Room Hire The Brightwell Centre, based in Bradley Stoke, North Bristol is a great venue for anyone looking to hire rooms on an hourly, half-day or daily basis. The Centre is conveniently located, just a few minutes from the M5, M4 and the M32, with Aztec West and Cribbs Causeway within easy reach. We have a choice of room options available, including a number of smaller Treatment and Therapy Rooms that can be adapted for a variety of uses. The Centre is fully accessible, with free on-site parking available on a first come, first served basis. We also have outdoor space with seating available for use, weather permitting. And whenever you want to take a break, refreshments are also available from our onsite café, with our relaxed seating area offering a comfortable place to enjoy a bite to eat. Please call or email us for room hire prices and availability. For more information please contact us on 01454 201 686 or hello @thebrightwell.org.uk Therapy/Treatment Rooms We have 2 Therapy/Treatment Rooms, each one offering the following features; Washbasin with hands free mixer tap Plinth bed Desk with chair Medical grade lighting Ceiling hoist Automatic hand towel dispenser Access to our Centre WIFI Air Conditioning For further information, to check availability and costs, please call 0 1454 201686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk The Brightwell Cafe The Brightwell is delighted to offer the use of Its catering facilities to those wishing to just use our café as a meeting point for a coffee and cake through to providing lunch facilities for large groups. We can cater for most dietary requirements and Paula, our Café Coordinator will gladly discuss any specific requirements with you and give you a quotation and menu options. If you require catering for groups, please advise when making your room booking. Please visit our Brightwell Café page for more information.

Brightwell Newsletters Enjoy this page to look at our latest newsletter, view some of our previous editions and subscribe, so that you keep up to date with all the latest, news, Events and updates from The Brightwell. First name* Last name* Email* Submit Our latest newsletter Previous newsletters 2024 January July February August March September April October May June November Check out our Blog Click on this blog logo to see lots of posts including Events, Health & Well-being articles plus lots more.....

Specialist Clinics The Brightwell provides access to a variety of specialist clinics, both medical and advice-based. Each therapist is fully qualified in their field and registered with the relevant professional bodies. Below are just some of the Clinics and Sessions available. You can also keep up to date with interesting articles and updates on our Health & Wellbeing section of our blog www.thebrightwell.org.uk/blog/categories/health-wellbeing To check availability and book a session, please call reception on 01454 201 686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk Acupuncture Baldder and Bowel Acupuncture has been used since the 1970's as a complementary treatment for many neurological conditions and it has a good reputation for its ability to stabilise and, in some cases, improve many of the symptoms. In recent years, well documented research and modern acupuncture techniques have been introduced to help improve the efficacy of the treatment. There are different systems of acupuncture which can be used either by themselves or in combination for treatment: Body acupuncture: Can target any area of the body affected in order to help; improve blood circulation, increase relaxation in the muscles and tissues, pain relief, relief from anxiety and insomnia, increase energy levels, improve bladder control and digestive function, among many other benefits. Scalp acupuncture : A system developed in more recent years specifically for neurological conditions. Here, points are treated along lines on the scalp that lie directly over the specific areas of the brain that control different bodily functions such as mobility, sensation, balance, etc. Sam May is an experienced acupuncturist who is well versed in the complexities of neurological conditions. He holds a degree in Acupuncture from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, and has been practicing in Bristol since 2010 Ear acupuncture : This system is based on a theory similar to that of reflexology where specific points of the auricle (external ear) act as reflex points for different parts of the body which can therefore be treated through the ear. This type of acupuncture is particularly effective for stress, anxiety and pain anywhere in the body and it is also used worldwide for the emotional and physical symptoms related to drug and alcohol withdrawal as well as PTSD. Acupuncture If you are unsure that acupuncture is for you, Sam will be more than happy to meet with you to answer any of your questions and to discuss a treatment plan. Sam is at The Brightwell for appointments on Fridays between 9.30am and 2.30pm. Each session lasts between 45 and 60 minutes. Initial Consultation £45 Treatment session £30 Bladder and Bowel Health Clinic We are very pleased to announce that we have a new Clinical Nurse Specialist, called Cath Dixon from Hollister, carrying out appointments here at the Centre. Up to 70% of people with MS will be affected by either bladder or bowel problems at some point, discussing any issues, however small, can really help. Common problems include increased urgency/frequency, retention, constipation, leakage or diarrhoea Many other neurological conditions will also face similar problems with bladder and bowel health. Our Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cath Dixon, has many years’ experience and a wealth of knowledge concerning neurogenic bladder symptoms. Cath would be very pleased to answer any of your bladder and bowel questions or address any concerns you may have around this area. This clinic is freely available for all current members of The Brightwell. Member Review Helen and Mike Murphy had an appointment with Cath when she was with us in August. Here is what they had to say… "As you may already know, MS poses some really difficult and embarrassing effects in the bladder and bowel department! Nurse Cath welcomed us warmly at The Brightwell and immediately made us feel at home in her room, ready to talk about this most intimate and basic human function. She listened to each of the problems being faced and knew exactly what we were going through. Her wealth of knowledge, experience, and simple tips were helpful and easy to understand. We left the appointment feeling very confident and looking forward to being able to cope so much better than before." Further information Please click here see our blog article for more details. One to One Counselling About Counselling Psychotherapeutic counselling provides a secure and confidential[1] space for you to talk to a trained professional about your issues and concerns. Counselling can help with many difficult life problems and challenges. It is also an opportunity to develop new perspectives and deepen existing insights into yourself and your life as a whole. In this way therapy can be an ongoing process of transformation not only for when we are suffering but also for when we need space to navigate life, explore the past and find meaning and hope for the future. The process involves building a trusting relationship between you and your therapist. They will work with you to explore your unique circumstances, challenges, perspectives, thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values and behaviours so you can develop a better understanding of yourself and others. They will help you make beneficial changes to ease distressing feelings and move to a place of thriving rather than just surviving. A counsellor will give little or no direct advice - they will help you find your own solutions and your own path forwards. About Sasha Sasha is a qualified Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist and registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. She 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 and without judgment, including things you may not have felt able to share with anyone else. 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 health conditions and chronic illness, 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 Somerset, with St Peter's Hospice in Bristol and in a trauma therapy service in South Wales where she also currently works. 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. Sasha can offer shorter or longer-term therapy in-person, online or over the phone. Sessions last 50 minutes. Contribution per session £40 [1] There are some exceptions for legal and ethical reasons which will be explained to you. Massage, Aromatherapy & Reflexolgy Foot Health & Care 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 Reflexlogy Since I was a young boy growing up on the family farm, I have been active and loved being outdoors. My passion for sports and outdoor pursuits has continued through the years. I have also had a keen interest in Complementary therapies, which peaked in 2013 when I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. I explored alternative options that may be able to help with my condition, improve my overall wellbeing and allow me to keep active. Experiencing the benefits of Reflexology first hand changed my interest into a motivating new career. Now, as a qualified Reflexologist, and member of the Association of Reflexologists and the Complimentary Natural Healthcare Council, I provide treatments to people around North Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire.. Alongside, I enjoy being a supportive Dad to my lovely daughter. In recent years, I have volunteered at St. Peter’s Hospice and for McMillan at Southmead Hospital. I believe in supporting others without expectation and volunteering to offer support to others is incredibly rewarding to me, and for my family. At The Brightwell I am at The Brightwell every other Tuesday with appointments starting from 10am until 1pm. Each session lasts 45 minutes. A contribution to the charity of £15 per session for your treatment is politely suggested. Please book at reception. Nutritional Therapy Jenna Cox is a registered nutritional therapist, passionate about helping individuals navigate their journey to optimal health through transformational diet and lifestyle changes. To her nutritional therapy practice, Jenna brings empathy, insight and a personal understanding of living with a health condition, having been diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in 2016. On a mission to support others, Jenna graduated with distinction as a nutritional therapist from the College of Naturopathic Medicine, and is affiliated with the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners. Nutritional therapy is an evidence-informed, whole-body approach to nutrition and lifestyle which works alongside conventional medicine. Jenna will work with you to create plans that integrate into your lifestyle, making transformation, not only attainable but sustainable, while keeping you accountable so that you can reach your dietary goals. Your time with Jenna doesn’t end after your consultation. Between appointments you will receive: A personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan with recipe ideas, a meal planner, and product recommendations Food diary analysis Medication, nutrient and supplement interaction evaluation with supplement recommendations Laboratory test recommendations (optional) Test result interpretation GP referral letters where applicable Email support between appointments You may be facing a number of health concerns. Jenna’s holistic approach supports a range of areas such as: MS depression & anxiety cardiovascular diseases autoimmune diseases inflammatory bowel disease sleep disorders migraines weight management thyroid diseases menopause and perimenopause PMS/PMDD osteoporosis healthy aging 6 x 50-minute sessions over 12 weeks are recommended to help make sustainable and long-lasting lifestyle and dietary changes. Contribution per session: £89 Block of six sessions: £480 (6 x £80) Mollie Suits The experts from the Company that provides Mollie Suits often hold sessions here at The Brightwel. These appointments are for those who are intetrested in finding out more and to check the suitability of the product for each individual's needs. For further information and to book an appointment, please visit www.remotion.co.uk Benefits and Advocacy Service with Bristol Citizens Advice Bureau Dates to be advised Therapy/Treatment Rooms for Hire We have 2 Therapy/Treatment Rooms, each one offering the following features; Washbasin with hands free mixer tap Plinth bed Desk with chair Medical grade lighting Ceiling hoist Automatic hand towel dispenser Access to our Centre WIFI Air Conditioning For further information, please visit our Cafe and Room Hire page. More information... For further inforation about other therapies at The Brightwell, please click on the following links Therapies Information Oxygen Therapy Physiotherapy FES Clinic Click on the logo to sign up to our blog including the Health & Wellbeing Section

Volunteering Volunteers are the lifeblood of our success here at The Brightwell. If you are looking for a new interest or challenge, becoming a volunteer at The Brightwell might give you the opportunity you are looking for. You will be made very welcome and your input with make a positive and meaningful difference to our service users, staff and other volunteers. 5 6 3 5 1/7 If you wanted to train to become an Oxygen Chamber Operator, this is an important role and you will receive full training, supported by the Neuro Therapy Network. Some of our volunteers prefer to work a set number of hours per week on certain days and this works well when working closely with staff members of The Brightwell team. Such roles might include administration and reception cover duties, assisting the fundraising team at events or maybe helping with maintenance and gardening tasks. If you are interested in volunteering please fill in the submissions form at the bottom of this page. Please note that Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Meet some of our amazing volunteers Janet Fundraising Volunteer Colette Fundraising and Events Howard Oxygen Chamber Operator Keith Volunteer Driver Gus and Mike fundraisers Keith Lead Oxygen Operator Corporate Volunteers Many businesses, whether they are a SME, Limited Company, a Plc., or apart of a National or even an International Group, give their employees time off to support good causes and local charities like us. By volunteering, not only are the individuals involved helping their chosen cause, but often taking part in such activities promotes communication, team building and self-awareness. We are very fortunate to have been supported by such teams in the past including groups from TSB, Lloyds Bank, Rolls Royce and different sectors of the Civil Service. The Brightwell has benefitted from tasks such as working on the grounds, gardening, building maintenance, building projects and much more. We would very much like to welcome you to come and spend time with us here at The Brightwell for a volunteering event. Please contact us at hello@thebrightwell.org.uk 1/2 Volunteer with Us First Name Opportunities you are interested in? Last name Email Submit Application Thanks for applying to volunteer with us! We'll get back to you soon. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Therapies at The Brightwell The Brightwell offers a unique environment for those looking to receive an extensive range of therapies for people with chronic neurological and other conditions. We are proud to confirm that our facilities are second to none in the Greater Bristol area and we offer a. friendly yet professional approach in a non- clinical environment. The Brightwell offers fully accessible premises, with extensive free disabled parking. In the physiotherapy department there is a full hoisting system and a vast array of equipment. Each therapist is fully qualified in their field and registered with the relevant professional body. All our volunteers are also trained to the highest standard. What sort of therapies are available? The Brightwell offers fully accessible premises, with extensive free disabled parking. In the physiotherapy department there is a full hoisting system. Our main therapies include Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment in our Chamber and Neurophysiotherapy. Each therapist is fully qualified in their field and registered with the relevant professional body. All our volunteers are also trained to the highest standard as set out through the Neurological Therapy Network Guidelines. We also have an extensive range of Specialist clinics including: Bladder and Bowel support for members with MS. FES Assessment. One to One Counselling Massage Acupuncture Aromatherapy Reflexology Foot Health Citizen’s Advice sessions Mollie Suit assessments Please visit our Specialist Clinics page for full details. Non neurological conditions We also offer non-subsidised sessions for those wanting to benefit from our therapies who may not have a chronic condition. This can include acute illness or injury, including sports and trauma. These users will still have use of our facilities in the same way but pay through Bristol Therapy Centre Ltd. Click here for an application form for non neurological service users. What conditions do our members have? How much do the therapies cost? All the sessions for those members living with neurological conditions are subsidised through our fundraising efforts and supporter donations. However, as a charity we do ask for a contribution towards each session, the details of which are below. It is the Charity’s policy to never deny someone support due to financial reasons and we welcome the opportunity to confidentially discuss any payment issues with anyone struggling to contribute towards for their therapy sessions. Please click here to see our Cancellation Policy Click here to download our therapy price list. Specialist Clinics Please see our Specialist Clinics page for details about session chaeges where applicable. Volunteer Drivers We have a volunteer driver who can bring people to the Centre if transport is required. Clients must be able to transfer with minimal assistance. Costs based on distance provided by the driver. Contributing by Standing Order Where possible we request that members contribute by standing order. The benefits are as follows: It helps us with planning for staffing/volunteer levels. Members know they have a definite booking. You only pay for 44 weeks a year, to take into account holidays. We are only usually closed for 1 week over Christmas and New Year. You know you have made your contribution, so there are no concerns about forgetting. It is easier to budget. Adjustments can be made for long term absence e.g. hospitalisation or prolonged illness. Standing orders are worked out on an average of 44 weeks per year if someone attends weekly. This takes into account 8 weeks of non-attendance for any reason. 1-2-1 Physio @ £25 per session X 44 weeks / 12 months = £91.66 per month Oxygen @ £15 per session X 44 weeks / 12 months = £55.00 per month Exercise class @ £ 8 per session X 44 weeks / 12 months = £29.33 per month For fortnightly sessions the following applies: 1-2-1 Physio @ £30 per session X 22 weeks / 12 months = £55.00 per month Please click here to download a Standing Order Form. A member of staff or a member of our Reception Team will be pleased to work out your monthly payment with you based on your individual treatment plan. We can also print off any forms and complete them with you. We are proud to be part of the Neuro Therapy Network Please visit www.neurotherapynetwork.org.uk for further information. More information... For further inforation about other therapies at The Brightwell, please click on the following links Oxygen Therapy Physiotherapy FES Clinic Specialist Clinics Click on the logo to sign up to our blog including the Health & Wellbeing Section

Bradley Stoke Easter Egg Hunt 2024! Egg-citing times! The hunt is back for 2024! Last year’s Easter Egg Hunt was a great success raising a brilliant £2,200 for the Centre & we had some excellent feedback from participants; “My children and I have really enjoyed the Ea ster egg hunt tha t The Brightwell Centre organised. We found paths we never know existed and walked/scooted much further than we would have. The displays were brilliant and picking up our prizes at the end made it even better. Hope you do it again next year!” – participant, Claire Similar to last year, families will follow trails around the Bradley Stoke area to search for hidden letters displayed on decorated Easter eggs, that are being hosted by the community. “Really enjoyed our experience of decorating our front g arden for the Easter trail was lovely to watch all the families come into the street looking for the letter! We loved doing the trails as a family ourselves as well” – Host and particip ant, Bea Once all the letters have been found along each trail, children can try to spell out the Easter word or phrase. On completion of all four trails, families can bring their completed answer sheets to The Brightwell to receive an Easter *surprise for their children and enjoy a fun photo opportunity to remember this event *(one Easter surprise per child per completed trail pack). There will also be the option to enter the Brightwell Easter raffle with some brilliant family-friendly prizes up for grabs - so don’t miss out! We hope this year’s hunt will be just as popular as last year and that the Centre will benefit from raising further vital funds, whilst delivering a fun, family even t for our local community. Get your Easter Trail Maps here The Egg Hunt will be available to complete during the Easter School Holidays from Thurs 28 until Sunday 14 April For more information please contact community@thebrightwell.org.uk EGGs-tra prize draw tickets here Thank you to this years very kind trail sponsors!

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2024 Sunday 7th April 2024 About the Event The event is not your average half marathon! From cultural landmarks and heritage to the city's quirky and hidden secrets, runner get to explore the capital on a route like no other! We were thrilled to share our brand-new route for LLHM 2023. Each year we run a cheer station so you can rest assured we will be there to give you that all important encouragement (and jelly babies) at the 11th mile! The event started on the iconic Pall Mall, before runners took in the sights and sounds of London’s awe-inspiring landmarks, event ually finishing outside Downing Street. If you'd like to know more click here: About The London Landmark Half Marathon | LLHM The Route Run the iconic London Landmarks route acro ss central Lon don . Fundraising When fundraising for The Brightwell we are with you every step of the way. We will send you a fundraising pack and your very own Brightwell vest ready for those all important training pictures for your socials! As a local, independent charity we are so grateful to those who fundraise for us and are always available to give you the support you need to help you reach & exceed your target! Sign up fee £30 Fundraising target: £500 Our team of 5 runners last year raised over £3,500 to ensure our doors are kept firmly open to provide subsidised therapy for life for anyone affected by a neurological condition. Limited spaces available We have managed to secure 5 charity places for this incredible event. If you're up for the challenge click the button below and pop us an email to register your interest in running this event for us, we will then respond with the next steps. We can't wait to hear from you. Sign up NOW! Check out LLHM 2023 Photos

Ways that you can donate to The Brightwell Thank you so much for donating to The Brightwell. We very much appreciate your generosity. If your donation is specifically to be used as a contribution towards a named member’s therapy, please let us know by emailing hello@thebrightwell.org.uk We would very much like to invite you to become an active part of our Brightwell community. If you would like to find out more about how to support us, please click on the links below. Support Us Events Volunteer The Brightwell 100 Corporate Network Thank you once again. First name Last name Email Donate in the name of Enter the amount £ Gift Aid my donation View terms of use Subscribe to our Newsletters/Updates Donate Option 1 Use the box below to donate using a debit/credit card, Google Pay or PayPal Option 2 Donate via JustGiving. Click on the image below Option 3 Making a Regular Donation by Standing Order Standing order If you would like to make a regular donation, please download and complete a Standing Order form. Please click on the link below to download. Option 4 Paying by Cash If you wish to make a cash donation, please call into Reception If you are a UK taxpayer, donating through Gift Aid means that we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give. It will not cost you any extra. For example if you donate £10 that means that if you are eligible and select to add Gift Aid, The Brightrwell will receive £12.50.This makes a huge difference to us . Thank you. If you have any queries or issues with making your donation please call 01454 201686 Corporate Donations We are delighted to be supported by so many businesses and companies and such donations can be made via our Brightwell 100 Just Giving page Please visit our Brightwell 100 page to see our latest projects and Wishlist.

Contact The Brightwell We are always delighted to hear from you, whether you would like to find out more about the therapies we offer, becoming a member, joining our team as a volunteer or helping with fundraising. Please email us hello@thebrightwell.org.uk or call on 01454 201 686 Please come to see us or call in for a coffee at The Brightwell Cafe. The Brightwell Bradbury House Wheatfield Drive Bradley Stoke Bristol, BS32 9DB Opening hours Monday 9.00 am - 17.30 pm Tuesday 9.00 am - 17.30 pm Wednesday 9.00 am - 17.30 pm Thursday 9.00 am - 17.00 pm Friday 9.00 am - 16.30 pm How to find us Subscribe to our newsletter • Don’t miss out! First name Last name Email Join Thanks for subscribing!

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 for now. Other snacks and drinks are available until the Centre closes. As well as good quality 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) jacket potatoes with a choice of delicious fillings an assortment of cakes (with gluten-free options available) cream teas fruit and a range of other snacks Everything we offer represents great value for money, with freshly made sandwiches available from £2.50. We will be developing the menu further over the coming weeks to serve hot food, healthy options 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! Here is just a small sample of some of the tasty treats on offer..... We’re delighted to announce that The Brightwell Café has achieved a 5-star Food Hygiene rating from South Gloucestershire Council, following our first inspection on Monday 4 March 2024! 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 0 to 5, 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! Brightwell Buffets Are you thinking of having a work meeting, a family gathering for a special lunch or a friends get together and want a super buffet? We can help! The Brightwell Café is delighted to offer sandwich platter buffets with the option of a selection of cakes, fruit, canned drinks, bottled water etc. at a very competitive price. We can cater for special dietary requirements such as providing Gluten free bread, with Vegetarian and Vegan options available too – just contact us with your requirements and we’ll be happy to help. Buffet orders will need to be pre-ordered at least 48 hours in advance and are available for collection on weekdays between 10am and 3pm. For further information or to book a buffet please call 01454 201686 and ask for Paula or Helen to discuss your requirements or email us at hello@thebrightwell.org.uk . Alternatively, just pop into the café at The Brightwell to discuss your needs and we’d be happy to help! Coffee Lounge and Outdoor Terrace The whole Centre is fully accessible and there is free parking too. There is a choice of seating available and on warmer days, café users are welcome to enjoy our outdoor Terrace and Garden areas.

Accessibility Statement Accessibility statement for www.thebrightwell.org.uk This accessibility statement applies to www.thebrightwell.org.uk This website is run by The West of England MS Therapy Centre Ltd. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website so we aim to make it as usable as possible for all our visitors, regardless of ability. For example, that means that you should be able to; change colours, contrast levels and fonts increase the font size zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen navigate most of the website with just a keyboard navigate most of the website using speech recognition software listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver) We've also made the website text as simple as possible to understand. My Computer My Wa y provides free online resources that can help you customise your device and make it easier to use. These include: how to adjust your computers visual settings how to navigate a site using a keyboard how to make a device talk to you How accessible this website is Our website is developed using valid HTML5, CSS and JavaScript and where possible to the standards laid out in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines ( WCAG 2.1 ). Our site is responsive to mobile devices and has been tested across a range of browsers. Whilst we strive for our website to achieve WCAG 2.1, level A and AA compliance, there are some known limitations. Here are some potential problems that we are working hard to improve: we aim to provide captions and/or transcripts for all our videos but these may not be available for all videos PDFs and documents across our site are not always accessible some images do not contain text alternatives some parts of the website may not, yet, be accessible using a keyboard some of our online forms are difficult to navigate using just a keyboard some colours used on the website do not conform with WCAG 2.1 level AA Feedback and contact information If you need information on this website in a different format, please contact us via: email: community@thebrightwell.org.uk call us on: 01454 201 686 We will consider your request and get back to you in five working days Reporting accessibility problems with this website If you encounter any issues that prevent you from using our site, please let us know. Your information will help us improve the website for all our visitors. Please provide as much detail as possible in your feedback. You can contact us via: email: community@thebrightwell.org.uk call us on: 01454 201 686 Complaints Accessibility regulations are enforced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) . If you've made a complaint to us and you're not happy wit how we responded, please contact the Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS) . Non-accessible content Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations Video and audio content We aim for all our video/audio content to have at least one of the following: subtitles captioning a transcript We know that some of our video, or audio, content - particularly older videos - does not consistently have subtitles. We are working on this. Downloadable content Our website features downloadable resources, mainly Word documents and PDFs. We will work toward making sure that all downloadable resources are accessible and will investigate moving away from the PDF documents in the future. Colour contrast We have tested the accessibility of the website's colour palette. The majority of the website conforms with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. We are in the process of changing the colours that do not. Third party content Our site includes Third Party Content and functionality. Whilst we strive to make sure any Third party is accessible, we cannot always guarantee it. What we're doing to improve accesibility Our site will be regularly reviewed with manual audits by our content team and by scans with automated testing tools. Preparation of this accessibility statement This statement was prepared in August 2022. It will be reviewed on a six monthly basis. This statement was reviewed in February 2023 and will be again in August 2023

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 Mis sion 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 Brightw e ll is... A relaxed, happy and caring space, where people can share their experiences, build friendships and access support when it is needed. An accessible building providing therapies and support services by qualified professionals. A place where the members, volunteers and staff are the cornerstones of a thriving and vibrant community. 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. 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 For many years The Brightwell has been committed to its Sustainability Pledge, as well as fostering and encouraging a “green approach” to all it does. Over the years a number of sustainable projects were undertaken with a major step forward in 2019 when a corporate supporter Solarsense generously installed 114, 250 kWh solar panels, that had been donated to them for Charitable purposes and we were fortunate to be one of the recipients. Thanks to the power generated by these panels, this has saved the Charity thousands of pounds, which has been vital during the period of rapidly increasing energy bills. It has been a long term aim to raise funds to install our own batteries to store any excess power generated. Other green projects have included the conversion of the outside lighting to LED, again paid for by a corporate donor, and the gradual replacement of internal lighting to low energy use, although this is still work in progress. In the summer of 2023, Woodstock Homes, who are a major donor to The Brightwell, offered us a large amount of solar panels which were on buildings they had purchased for redevelopment. After much investigation, led by Steve Cocks, one of The Brightwell’s Trustees, with an in-depth knowledge of the Charity’s sustainability aims and plans, it was realised that due to the age of the panels being offered, plus cost of removing and then installing them, it was not a viable proposition. Steve was supported all the way through his investigations by the expert team at Solarsense who came up with a proposal to supply us with brand new panels, and it made sense to look at the battery situation at the same time. However, The Brightwell did not have allocated funds to pay for this major capital expense. Incredibly, Solarsense supported by Total Access Scaffolding and CEF Electrical offered to provide their services at cost and supplied the equipment at a heavily discounted price. This generous subsidy represents a substantial contribution to The Brightwell, as part of Solarsence’s Charitable targets. enabling us to have an additional 40 x 400 kWh panels and a new inverter, this now brings the Centre’s potential generation 46kWh. As well as this incredible support, Solarsense were also able to offer the 3 x 14kWh Tesla batteries as part of this project. Doro Pasantes, CEO of The Brightwell, explains the benefits and impact of all this new equipment “With energy costs rising for commercial properties such as Bradbury House, the costs would have been extremely high without these steps having been taken. This means when the sun is out and even just on a bright day, we will generate enough power to run the centre, even the oxygen generation plant. On days when the sunlight is particularly bright nothing will go to waste as we have such good storage capacity. We are exceptionally grateful to all the businesses involved for their generosity and commitment to The Brightwell.” 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