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It’s that magical time of year again… and so is our 12 Hampers of Christmas Raffle! With 12 fabulous hampers up for grabs and 12 chances to win, this is your perfect opportunity to add some extra festive sparkle to the season. 🎟️ Tickets: £5 a strip Whether you’re hoping to treat yourself or surprise someone special, our hamper lineup is better than ever. Take a look at the delights you could win this year:   ✨ This Year’s Hampers 🌟 Star Hamper! M&S Delights of Christmas Hamper ( Worth £100! ) A festive feast of sweet and savoury indulgence. Enjoy elegant Pinot Grigio and classic Claret, paired with gourmet treats like Luxury Belgian Biscuits, Perfectly Matured Rich Fruit Cake, Christmas Pudding, and Goat’s Cheese & Rosemary Shortbread Biscuits. With artisan crackers, Marcona Almonds, and Festive Chutney, every detail invites warmth, flavour, and true Christmas magic. The other 11 hampers up for grabs: Afternoon Tea Hamper – everything you need for a cosy afternoon ASDA Hamper – packed with seasonal favourites Port Hamper – perfect for a winter warmer Morrisons Hamper – full of tasty treats Gin Hamper – a must-have for gin lovers Aldi Hamper – affordable delights with a festive twist Cocktail Hamper – mixology magic for the holidays Slow Cooker Hamper – hearty meals made easy Apothecary M&S Hamper – soothing scents and self-care goodies Treats Hamper –snacks and indulgence galore Mulled Wine Hamper – the ultimate festive classic   🎟️ How to Enter You can buy your strips online here:   https://www.thebrightwell.org.uk/product-page/12-hampers-raffle Winners will be selected on Wednesday 17th December. Get yours now for your chance to win these fantastic hampers!   A huge thank you to everyone who supported and donated to make this raffle possible🎄💛

image courtesy of wirestock via Freepix Please note when we are closed over the festive period. We encourage all members to ensure that they have their therapies booked in advance for January. If you have any queries, please call Reception on 01454 201686

Have you renewed your Brightwell Subscription for 2026  If not, Dawn or Monique will be delighted to help you with this next time you are in. Alternatively, you can call us on 01454 201686. You are probably already thinking about booking your sessions for January and February, so you will need to renew your subscription in order to do this. The annual subscription for a Member or a Centre Friend is £40. We are also asking everyone to please consider making their therapy contributions by Standing Order. The benefits are as follows: •         It helps us with planning for staffing/volunteer levels. •         You know they have a definite and regular booking. •         Contributions are based on 44 weeks of therapy to take into account holidays and centre closures. •         We are usually only closed for 1 week over Christmas and New Year, and up to 3  days of servicing and training. •         Your contributions will be correct and timely,  giving you the added peace of mind that you haven’t forgotten to make the contribution.  •         It is easier to budget for both you and us. •         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. Examples: 1-2-1 Physio at £28 per session X 44 weeks / 12 months = £102.66 per month Oxygen  at £18 per session X 44 weeks / 12 months = £66 per month A member of staff or a member of our Reception Team will be pleased to work out your monthly contributions with you based on your individual treatment plan. We can also print off any forms and complete them with you. If you are a lapsed member and would like to rejoin the Brightwell Community, please come and have a chat. We would really love to see you again. Any queries whatsoever, please get in touch. Call us 01454 201686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk

The Brightwell team were absolutely thrilled to welcome Martyn and Sue Olds on Monday, 24 November. Martyn, the Men’s Club Captain at Kendleshire Golf Club, arrived with an extraordinary gift: a cheque for an incredible £10,000! Doro, Lara, and Brightwell member Liz proudly and gratefully accepted the kind donation. Martyn chose The Brightwell as his Charity of the Year for 2025, and he and his golfers have been hard at work raising this phenomenal sum. One of the most inspiring highlights was on 3 September, when a group of Kendleshire Members left their golf clubs behind, jumped on their bikes, and took on an epic 100-mile ride to Machynys Golf and Monk Island Resort in Llanelli. But Martyn didn’t stop there. He and the team kept the momentum going throughout the year with a whole range of fundraising ideas, including the creation of a special Brightwell Beer! The Kendleshire has supported The Brightwell whenever they can for many years, even sponsoring a therapy room when the Centre first opened. To Martyn and Sue, to the incredible cyclists, and to every single member of Kendleshire Golf Club who donated or cheered the efforts on: thank you. Your support helps ensure we can continue offering essential therapies and care to people living with neurological conditions. This generous donation will go directly towards funding therapies, equipment, and support services that make a real difference to the lives of our community; our members, their families and carers.

image courtesy of gpointstudio via Freepix Sleep is fundamental to brain health and is inextricably linked to neurological conditions, acting as both a vital restorative process and a potential early indicator or risk factor for disease. Adequate, quality sleep (typically 7-9 hours for adults) is crucial for managing existing conditions, improving treatment outcomes, and potentially preventing or slowing neurodegenerative decline. Key Functions of Sleep for Neurological Health During sleep, the brain performs several critical functions that are essential for optimal neurological function: Waste Clearance: The glymphatic system, the brain's waste removal pathway, is most active during deep (slow-wave) sleep. It flushes out toxic proteins and waste products that accumulate during the day, such as amyloid-beta and alpha-synuclein, which are associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Memory Consolidation and Learning: Sleep plays a crucial role in consolidating new information and experiences into long-term memory. Different sleep stages, particularly slow-wave and REM sleep, are associated with strengthening various types of memories and enhancing synaptic plasticity (the ability of brain connections to change and adapt). Neuronal Restoration and Repair: Sleep provides an opportunity for neurons to repair themselves, regulate neurotransmitter levels, and restore energy metabolism. This helps maintain the integrity of neural circuits and signalling pathways. Emotional Regulation: Sufficient sleep is vital for regulating emotions and managing stress responses. Sleep deprivation can lead to increased emotional reactivity, mood swings, irritability, and a higher risk of developing mood disorders like depression and anxiety. The Link Between Sleep and Neurological Conditions Sleep disturbances and neurological disorders share a complex, bidirectional relationship: Risk Factors: Chronic poor sleep is considered a potential modifiable risk factor for developing neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Sleep disorders like untreated obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) have been linked to an increased risk of stroke and cognitive decline. Symptoms/Early Warning Signs: Sleep problems are a common symptom and can even be an early marker of underlying neurological issues. For example, REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD), where individuals act out their dreams, often precedes the clinical onset of Parkinson's disease or dementia with Lewy bodies by years. Disease Exacerbation: Inadequate sleep can worsen symptoms of existing neurological conditions. For people with epilepsy, sleep deprivation is a known seizure trigger. In those with multiple sclerosis (MS), poor sleep exacerbates fatigue, pain, and cognitive fog. Impact on Recovery: Good quality sleep is linked to improved outcomes after a neurological event, such as a stroke, by supporting brain plasticity and recovery processes. Importance of Addressing Sleep Issues Given this profound connection, addressing sleep problems is a critical part of comprehensive neurological care. Interventions aimed at improving sleep quality - ranging from better sleep hygiene and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to medical treatments for disorders like sleep apnoea - can significantly improve a patient's quality of life and potentially slow the progression of their condition. If you are experiencing persistent sleep problems, it is important to consult a healthcare provider for a proper evaluation and diagnosis. 10 Tips for Better Sleep 1.      Stick to a Sleep Schedule : Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including on weekends. This consistency reinforces your body's natural sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm).   2.      Create a Relaxing Bedtime Ritual:  Spend the last 30 to 60 minutes before bed doing calming activities. This could be reading a physical book, taking a warm bath, listening to soothing music, or gentle stretching.   3.      Optimise Your Bedroom Environment:  Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. 4.      Limit Blue Light Before Bed:  Turn off phones, tablets, computers, and TVs at least one hour before your target bedtime. The blue light suppresses the production of the sleep-promoting hormone, melatonin.   5.      Use Your Bed Only for Sleep:  Avoid using your bed for work, eating, or watching TV. This helps your brain associate your bed with rest.     6.      Watch Your Diet and Drink Intake:  Avoid consuming caffeine (coffee, tea, soda, chocolate) and nicotine for several hours before bed. Limit alcohol, especially in the late evening, as it disrupts sleep quality. Try to avoid large, heavy meals close to bedtime.   7.      Manage Worries and Stress:  Try to resolve your concerns before you get into bed. You can set aside a "worry time" earlier in the evening or write down a to-do list for the next day to clear your mind.     8.      Exercise Regularly (But Not Too Late ): Regular physical activity improves sleep quality but avoid vigorous exercise within 3 to 4 hours of bedtime, as it can be stimulating. Gentle yoga or stretching is fine.   9.      Limit Daytime Naps:  If you must nap, keep it short (under 30 minutes) and take it earlier in the afternoon (before 3pm). Long or late naps can make it harder to fall asleep at night.     10.  Don't Force Sleep:  If you find yourself lying awake in bed for more than about 20 minutes, get up and go to another room to do something quiet and relaxing (like reading) until you feel sleepy again. Then, return to bed.   We hope you have found this article of interest, and you will get some benefits from it.

Image courtesy of Freepix Adapted from an MS-UK Guide This guide was written specifically for those living with MS but applies to anyone living with other chronic or neurological conditions. Winter can be a challenging time when you’re living with a chronic condition. The cold weather can affect symptoms, darker days can impact mood, and fatigue often feels harder to manage. Preparing for Winter Get your vitamin D Our bodies make vitamin D from sunlight, but in the UK, there isn’t enough sun for most people to meet their targets. Low vitamin D is implicated in both disease activity and as a possible environmental risk factor for the development of MS, but more research is needed. Public Health England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advise everyone to take a supplement of vitamin D, and especially in the winter months. They don’t make any recommendations specifically for people with MS, but for bone health in people in the general population, they recommend 10 micrograms daily, which is 400 IU. Most neurologists like their MS patients to have a daily dose of between 2,000 and 5,000 IU of vitamin D. The flu vaccine The flu jab helps to protect you from the worst effects of the most common strain of flu that’s circulating in a particular year. As a person with MS, you qualify for a free flu jab on the NHS, and so does your partner or carer.   You may also be offered shingles and COVID-19 vaccinations. It is generally recommended that you get the flu vaccine. It’s possible that an infection such as flu could make your symptoms worse. The flu itself can also be very serious. You should ask your doctor which other vaccinations you should have. Colds and flu are more common in winter because people are indoors in close proximity more frequently, which allows viruses to spread. Avoid catching germs by washing your hands thoroughly and regularly when you have touched surfaces or handles in public. Continuing to social distance from people not within your household can also help you avoid catching germs. The cold weather While it’s well known that the heat can exacerbate symptoms, the cold can trigger problems too. Muscle stiffness and spasms can worsen, as can pain and mobility. Nerve pain in particular can be affected by the cold, including trigeminal neuralgia, altered sensations, the MS hug, and altered sensations such as numbness and tingling. Most problems pass once you have warmed back to a normal temperature, but it’s wise to try and stay warm. Wearing several thin layers helps with temperature regulation, especially if you are passing through different environments. If you feel the cold more than others in your household, you can create your own personal heating system with an electric blanket and/or a hot water bottle. Extreme weather in the winter can also pose potential hazards when you are out and about. Keeping active and exercising before winter’s arrival are very important. Practising balance routines and strengthening muscles will help keep you active and improve your stability. Winter fuel payment scams The UK government has warned of a sharp rise in scam text messages about Winter Fuel Payments, with reports jumping by 153 per cent at the end of September 2025. Fraudsters are posing as officials and asking people to “apply” or share bank details. You do not need to apply, if you are eligible, your Winter Fuel Payment is made automatically. Most people will receive a letter in October or November confirming the amount, with payments due between mid-November and December 2025. If you get a text about Winter Fuel Payments, do not reply, do not click any links, and do not share personal information. Forward suspicious texts to 7726 for free so your network can block the sender, then delete the message. If you receive a scam email claiming to be from HMRC, forward it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk . Being Part of The Brightwell Community This Winter The Brightwell offers a warm, friendly atmosphere to everyone in our community. Now that we have our own Café, we can offer warm drinks and food until 2:30pm every day. However, you are welcome to spend time here with us for the whole time that the Centre is open. If you feel that your physical or mental health is suffering at any time, please pick up the phone or come along to the Centre, there will always be someone to talk to and who will be pleased to listen. Click here to view the full MS-UK article.

Image and information from Carers UK Carers Rights Day 2025 will take place on Thursday, 20 November, spotlighting the critical need for the UK's millions of unpaid carers to “Know Your Rights, Use Your Rights”.  This annual national campaign, organised by Carers UK, is a crucial opportunity to raise awareness of the legal rights, entitlements, and support available to those who dedicate their lives to caring for a family member, partner, or friend. The Vital Role of Unpaid Carers Unpaid carers are the backbone of the UK's health and social care system, providing essential support to those who are older, disabled, or have a long-term illness. While the role is often rewarding, it can also lead to significant challenges impacting a carer's own health, finances, employment, and wellbeing. Many people don't even identify as a 'carer,' meaning they miss out on vital support and statutory rights. The 2025 theme is a direct call to action, urging both new and experienced carers to understand their entitlements and feel confident in asserting them, whether in the workplace, when engaging with healthcare professionals, or in accessing local services.   Key Legal Rights for Carers in the UK Understanding your legal rights is the first step toward accessing the support you need. While specific provisions can vary across the UK nations (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland), here are some of the most important rights for unpaid carers: 1. The Right to a Carer’s Assessment Any adult (over 18) who provides or intends to provide regular, substantial care to another adult is legally entitled to a “Carer's Assessment” from their local council's Adult Social Services. This is a chance to discuss how your caring role affects you and to identify your own needs for support. What it covers: It looks at whether you need things like replacement care (respite breaks), help with travel or utility costs, emotional support, or information on local groups. Crucially, you are entitled to this regardless of the amount of care you provide, your financial situation, or the needs of the person you care for. 2. Workplace Rights For those juggling care responsibilities with paid employment, recent legislation offers increased protection and flexibility: Carer's Leave Act 2023: Employees who are carers have a statutory right to take one week (five days) of unpaid leave per year to provide or arrange care for a dependant with a long-term care need. This right applies from day one of employment. Flexible Working: All employees have the legal right to request flexible working from the first day of their employment. An employer must deal with the request reasonably and within a two-month period. Protection from Discrimination: The Equality Act 2010 protects against direct discrimination or harassment in the workplace due to your caring responsibilities ("discrimination by association"). 3. Health and Financial Rights Financial Support: You may be eligible to claim Carer's Allowance. If you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and meet the eligibility criteria. Even if you cannot receive the payment, you may be awarded an underlying entitlement, which helps protect your State Pension contributions. Free Flu Vaccination: As a carer, you have a right to request a free annual flu vaccination to help protect both yourself and the person you care for. Identification as a Carer: You can ask your GP practice to record you as an unpaid carer on your patient record. This ensures you are recognised and may allow you priority access to things like health checks and public health campaigns. 4. Involvement in Care Planning You have the right to be consulted and involved in decision-making when the local authority or health services are making decisions about the care and support of the person you look after, including their discharge from the hospital. Getting Involved on Carers Rights Day Carers' Rights Day is not just a day for charities and professionals; it is an opportunity for everyone to play a part. Carers:  Use the day to contact your local Carers Centre or a national charity like Carers UK or Carers Trust. Book a benefits check, request a Carer's Assessment, or attend a local event to get informed. Employers:   Review your policies to ensure they are 'Carer Friendly.' Promote the right to Carers' Leave and Flexible Working to all staff. General Public:  Help spread the word! Share information about carers' rights on social media or in your local community to help someone recognise their role and access support. Knowing your rights is essential for sustaining your health, well-being, and ability to care. Carers Rights Day 2025 is the perfect time to commit to making sure that every carer is seen, heard, and supported. For further information please visit www.carersuk.org/ The Brightwell Carers Support Group.   We have an active and supportive group here at the Centre. The group led by Wendy Patterson is keen to hear your views and suggestions about how the Centre can best support Carers. So, whether or not you can come along to one of our sessions, or would like to talk, we would love to hear from you. You can contact Wendy by leaving a message at Reception.   Don’t forget to take a look at the leaflets and information available at the Carers Information Point. This can be found in the area beyond the Café.   Our next meeting Thursday 20 January 2 - 4 pm  Hints and Tips for Carers. This is a free event. Places are available face-to-face at The Brightwell or via Zoom For further information, please see our blog, newsletter and social media. Please call Reception on 01454 201 686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk

Yesterday evening, 13 November, we hosted our Annual Volunteers Thank You Party and what a fantastic night it was! Over 70 guests joined us for an evening filled with laughter, great company, and heartfelt appreciation. Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet, complimentary drinks, and fabulous live entertainment from Ben Hutcheson, the talented Bristol-based singer-songwriter. A big thank you to Ben for making the night extra special! At The Brightwell, we are incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated team of staff, however, our charity simply could not function without our amazing community of Volunteers. Our volunteers support every aspect of The Brightwell’s work; from our oxygen therapy operators and fundraising team helpers, to our café and gardening volunteers, support drivers, receptionists, and those who share their specialist skills in areas such as accounting, IT, databases, and health & safety. Even our Carers Support Group is coordinated and run by one of our fantastic volunteers. Our brilliant Board of Trustees are all volunteers too, they generously share their time, knowledge, and expertise to help the charity grow and thrive. To everyone who joined us last night: a huge thank you. It was a truly enjoyable evening, and a wonderful reminder of the community spirit that drives The Brightwell. If you’d like to become part of our volunteer family, we would love to hear from you. To find out more, visit: www.thebrightwell.org.uk/volunteer

The festive season is almost here - and that means it’s nearly time for our Annual Brightwell Christmas Market! Join us on Saturday 29th November for one of our biggest and most exciting fundraising events of the year. Our Christmas Market is a key event in our fundraising calendar, helping us continue our vital work supporting our community. Think of it as an extension of our Brightwell Charity Shop - but bigger, brighter, and even more festive!   You’ll find a fantastic selection of Brightwell stalls selling everything from: 🛍️ Christmas gifts 👗 Clothing & accessories 📚 Books & homeware 🎁 And much more!   Alongside our own stalls, there will also be independent stallholders offering a wonderful variety of items - perfect for some early Christmas shopping.   To add to the fun, we’ll have classic festive games like: 🍾 The Bottle Tombola 🧸 Teddy Tombola 🎁 Lucky Dip To make our Christmas Market a success, we’re asking for donations of items we can sell or use as prizes. We’re especially in need of: ✨ Bottles (wine, soft drinks, etc.) 🎁 Gift sets 🕯️ Homeware 🧣 Accessories 📚 Books …or any other good-quality, resalable items!   If you’re able to contribute, please drop off your donations at: 📍 Bradbury House, Wheatfield Drive, BS32 9DB 🕓 Before Thursday 27th November   Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference and helps us raise vital funds to support our work.   Thank you so much for your generosity and continued support - we can’t wait to see you at the market!

Whether you are coming on your own or with a group of friends, a warm welcome awaits you. Suitable for all ages from 10+. So bring the whole family! You are welcome to bring your own drink and nibbles, great for sharing and getting to meet new friends. Doors open at 6.30 pm. Eyes down at 7 pm. Only £8 per person for the whole evening! A fun evening with 6 prize bingo games, 2 cash bingo games and 2 silly bingo games. A Bingo exclusive raffle will take place on the night. As well as having a great time, you will also be supporting our charity. Click here to book tickets or call Reception on 01454 201686 See you there!

Image courtesy of Freepix Acupuncture Awareness Week (AAW) is an annual campaign dedicated to educating the public about traditional acupuncture, a healthcare practice with roots in ancient China. This initiative is championed primarily by organisations like the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) in the UK, aiming to dispel common myths and highlight the efficacy of acupuncture as a valid and widely accepted healthcare choice. What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been practised for thousands of years. It involves the insertion of extremely fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body. ·       Traditional Theory: It is based on the belief that a life force or energy, known as Qi (pronounced "chee"), flows through channels in the body called meridians.. Illness or pain is thought to occur when the flow of Qi is blocked or imbalanced. Acupuncture aims to restore this balance by stimulating the points along the meridians. ·       Modern Understanding: From a Western perspective, acupuncture is believed to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue. This stimulation increases the body's release of natural painkillers and other chemicals like endorphins and serotonin, which modify how pain signals are received and promote healing.   ·       Key Fact: Acupuncture needles are not like the needles used for injections or drawing blood; they are often as thin as a human hair, making the treatment generally painless and often reported as deeply relaxing. The Goals of Acupuncture Awareness Week The campaign focuses on several key areas to inform and encourage the public: ·       Raising the Profile: Promoting acupuncture as a viable and evidence-based option for managing a range of conditions, rather than a "last resort."   ·       Addressing Misconceptions: Dispelling popular myths, particularly the fear of needles, by highlighting the fine size and sterile nature of acupuncture tools.   ·       Promoting Professional Standards: Highlighting the role of professional bodies, such as the BAcC, in upholding high standards of training, safety, and professional practice for traditional acupuncturists.   ·       Encouraging Access: Guiding prospective patients to use resources to find a qualified and registered practitioner near them. Who Can Benefit? Traditional acupuncture is a holistic treatment that focuses on the whole person rather than just isolated symptoms. While people often seek treatment for specific issues, others use it for preventative health and general well-being. Current scientific evidence supports the use of acupuncture for conditions including: ·       Chronic Pain: Relief from low back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis of the knee. ·       Headaches: Short-term relief of tension headaches and migraine-type headaches. ·       Nausea and Vomiting: Relief in certain situations, such as post-operative or chemotherapy-induced nausea. It is also commonly used to assist with issues like fertility support, emotional well-being, digestive problems, and sleep disturbances. As a complementary therapy, it can often be safely integrated with conventional medical treatments. Acupuncture Awareness Week serves as a crucial time to learn more about this ancient, yet increasingly recognised, form of healthcare and discover how it could potentially benefit your own health journey Acupuncture at The Brightwell We have been offering acupuncture at The Brightwell for many years, with hundreds of members finding it extremely beneficial. To find out about all the specialist clinics we offer, please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/therapies/specialist-clinics To book an appointment, please call 01454 201686 or email hello@thebrightwel.org.uk