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On Monday, 21 July, the Physio Team planned and ran a Taster Session for a new Dance Class. This idea was led by Audrey, one of our Physios, supported by Amrik, our Lead Physio. Audrey dances and competes in both Street and Hip Hop competitions and also teaches dance. The class was attended by 9 participants, some standing, some seated and some wheelchair users. Audrey started with a warm-up, taught the class a number of different moves and by the end of the hour-long session, everyone was doing a synchronised routine! Audrey had planned a great playlist, which gave the session lots of energy and had everyone moving to the beat and singing along to the tracks! One participant commented, “ It was such good fun, I used to do a lot of dancing and miss it. I can’t believe how quickly the hour went, and I loved it when we all got the routine right!” We are hoping to run this class as a regular feature part of the classes we offer at the Brightwell. More information will follow soon!

Doro, Helen, and Victoria were delighted to welcome Centre Squares Winterbourne  to The Brightwell on Wednesday, 23 July. It was an absolute joy to gain insight into the world of square dancing! We learned all about its fascinating roots, the unique dance calls, vibrant outfits, and toe-tapping music. A special thank you to Margaret Nash, who, through her involvement with the Bradley Stoke Lions, has done so much for The Brightwell. We’re honoured that she chose us as Centre Squares’ charity of the year! We had such fun meeting members of the club, who were not only lovely, warm people, but were fabulously dressed for the occasion! They also shared a heartwarming story about an upcoming wedding celebration, safe to say, love (and dancing!) is in the air. On behalf of our members, volunteers, and staff, we want to give a huge thank you to Centre Squares for raising an incredible £500 . That’s no small achievement for a group of just over 30 members. We are beyond impressed and truly grateful. Curious to know more? Centre Squares  meet every Tuesday at the Winterbourne Community Centre. You can reach out to Margaret at 01454 773370  for more details. And as for us—we’ll be doing a little happy dance of our own to celebrate this amazing gift. Thank you, Centre Squares!

We’re thrilled to announce that we have raised over £32,000 so far, thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, fundraisers, and raffle participants. That means we’re just under £8,000 away from our goal, with time running until August 11th. We’re so close! A huge thank you to everyone who has supported this campaign - whether you’ve donated, shared on social media, or told your neighbours about it. We couldn’t have made it this far without your ongoing support and dedication. But we’re not stopping now! Please help us maintain the momentum in these final weeks by: -          Donating whatever you can to help us reach our target -          Sharing the campaign link with friends, family, and your social networks -          Telling your neighbours and community about our cause -          Hosting or joining fundraising events or raffles -          Spreading the word wherever possible to keep awareness high   Together, let’s reach our £40,000 target! Support us here: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/40k-for-40-years Thank you so much!

On Thursday, 17 July, Doro, our CEO, was delighted to welcome Anna Smith, CEO of the Quartet Community Foundation, to the Centre. Quartet Community Foundation is one of 55 Community Foundations across the UK, that give millions to worthy causes every year.  Quartet is the local community foundation for the region, covering the old Avon boundary – Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. They connect people and companies with causes they care about and run grant programmes to give to those organisations. Last year, Quartet gave over £5 million to good causes across the region. Quartet has a long history with The Brightwell, donating over £12,000 since 2018, but this is the first time that a representative has been able to see the centre first hand. Doro was delighted to show Anna the Oxygen Chamber and introduce her to our wonderful oxygen operator, Keith Taylor BEM! Anna was also able to see an exercise class and one-to-one physiotherapy in action, as well as to take in the community atmosphere in the Café, which makes The Brightwell so special. It is difficult to get across in writing just how incredible our community is, the range of people that we see and the breadth of therapies that we provide. There is no substitute for seeing the centre at work and we are so grateful to Anna for taking the time to come and see us. We wish Anna and all at Quartet well and look forward to future partnerships!

We’ve got some amazing prizes in this Summer Draw. Not long to wait either, the draw is on 11 August! Don’t miss out! Prizes Include 🎉 Summer Prize Draw! 🌞 Just £2 per entry for your chance to WIN: 🏡 2-night accessible cottage stay (for 6)💪 1-week Nuffield Health family pass🍷 Wine tasting set for 2🍫 Box of chocolates🏊 Riverside Leisure Club pass for 2🥃 Bottle of Baileys! Winners drawn  Monday 11th August  - don’t miss out! Enter now and treat yourself this summer! ☀️✨ BUY TICKETS HERE!

Are you living with multiple sclerosis? Do you want to enhance your resilience through these difficult times, rediscover strengths and increase your ability to cope? Hope For the Community CIC, is running a free online group self-management course called the Hope Programme. This is a: •            Free 6-week course •            Facilitated by a trained community of volunteers with lived experience of MS. Limited places are available on a first-come, first-served basis. One of our Trustees, Caz Blake-Symes, was a participant in this course last year and her feedback was incredibly positive, this is what she had to say… “I was very impressed with this course and gained a lot from it. Although there are optional group sessions at specific times, most of the course can be done in your own time at your own pace. There are weekly topics well supported by great online material. There are online facilitators for queries too. You can set your own goals and targets for each module, and these are regularly reviewed and feedback is offered. I would thoroughly recommend taking part in this programme The course can be done using a phone, but I found it better to do the course on my pc, although I used the excellent app on my phone too”. For further information and to book your place, please visit. https://www.h4c.org.uk/courses-all/ms-240925

World Self-Care Day 2025 is just around the corner, celebrated annually on 24  July, It's a fantastic opportunity to pause and consider how we can all better prioritise our well-being. What is Self-Care? Self-care isn't about being selfish; it's about recognising that we can't pour from an empty cup. It encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at maintaining and improving our physical, mental, and emotional health. This could be anything from ensuring you get enough sleep and eat nutritious food to taking a relaxing bath, spending time in nature, or connecting with loved ones. It's about consciously taking steps to protect your overall health. Why is Self-Care Important? In our increasingly fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in daily demands and neglect our own needs. However, neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, stress, and a decline in both physical and mental health. Prioritising self-care can: Reduce stress and anxiety: Taking time for yourself can help you de-stress and re-centre. Improve mood and energy levels: When you're well-rested and looking after yourself, you'll naturally feel more positive and energised. Enhance productivity: A well-cared-for mind and body are more efficient and focused. Boost resilience: Regularly practising self-care builds your capacity to cope with life's challenges. Strengthen relationships: When you're taking care of yourself, you're better equipped to support others. How to Celebrate World Self-Care Day 2025 July 24 is the perfect day to kickstart or reinforce your self-care routine. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Mindful Moments: Dedicate a few minutes to meditation, deep breathing, or simply sitting in silence and enjoying the present moment Move Your Body: Go for a walk, do some gentle stretching, practice yoga, or engage in any physical activity you enjoy. Nourish Yourself: Prepare a healthy and delicious meal, and take your time to savour it. Connect with Nature: Spend time outdoors, whether it's in a park, garden, or by the sea. Prioritise Rest: Aim for a good night's sleep, or take a short nap if you need one. Engage in Hobbies: Revisit a favourite hobby or try something new that brings you joy. Disconnect Digitally: Take a break from screens and social media to truly unwind. Connect with Others: Spend quality time with friends or family who uplift you. Practice Gratitude: Reflect on the things you are thankful for. Remember, self-care isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. What works for one person might not work for another. The key is to find what truly recharges you. So, mark your calendars for July 24, 2025, and use World Self-Care Day as a reminder to make your well-being a priority, not just for one day, but every day. What small act of self-care will you commit to this year? Self-Care at The Brightwell Whether you are a Member, Carer, Volunteer or part of the Staff Team, we advocate Self-Care here at The Brightwell. So, whether you are just looking for a chat and a coffee, looking to enjoy some outdoor space, booking a therapy session or taking part in an exercise class, we are the place to be. The Brightwell offers a friendly, supportive and caring environment, and a warm welcome always awaits any visitor. So, make sure you give yourself time to think about your own well-being, physical and mental health. not just on 24 July, but every day. We look forward to seeing you soon!

We recently welcomed another lovely team from Lloyds Banking Group who volunteered at the Centre on Thursday, 10 July.    It was an extremely hot day, and sunscreen and cold drinks were flowing! The team did a fabulous job in the grounds – helping to clear the paths and patio areas of weeds, cutting back shrubs and re-varnishing our raised beds.   They also planted a lovely selection of flowers and shrubs that they had kindly donated to the Centre.   The group had never been to The Brightwell before but were very interested to hear about the work that we do here.    They enjoyed a tour of the facilities and chatting with some of our regular members. They also enjoyed a lovely lunch from our café and were kind enough to contribute to our 40K for 40 years campaign.   We are very grateful for all their efforts and thank them all for their hard work, especially on such a scorching hot day!   To find out more about volunteering at The Brightwell, please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/volunteer

For many individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other neurological conditions, hot weather and increased body temperature can significantly worsen symptoms. This phenomenon, often referred to as Uhthoff's phenomenon or heat sensitivity, is a common challenge, affecting between 60% and 80% of people with MS. While the effects are temporary and do not cause permanent damage, they can be highly disruptive to daily life. Understanding why heat impacts MS and implementing effective coping strategies are crucial for maintaining comfort and quality of life. Why Heat Affects MS Symptoms The exact mechanisms behind heat sensitivity in MS are still being fully understood, but several factors contribute: Nerve Conduction Impairment: MS involves damage to the myelin sheath, the protective covering around nerve fibres. Myelin helps nerve signals transmit quickly and efficiently. When nerves are demyelinated, even a slight increase in body temperature (as little as 0.25 to 0.5 degrees Celsius or 0.5 to 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit) can further slow down or block these already impaired nerve signals. This leads to a temporary exacerbation of existing MS symptoms. Temperature Regulation Issues: In some cases, MS lesions can affect the parts of the brain responsible for regulating body temperature. This can impair the body's natural cooling mechanisms, such as sweating and vasodilation (widening of blood vessels to release heat), making it harder for individuals with MS to cool down effectively. Increased Core and Skin Temperature: Heat sensitivity can be triggered by a rise in core body temperature (e.g., from exercise, hot baths, fever) or even by an increase in skin temperature from direct sun exposure or a hot room.   Common symptoms that may worsen in the heat include fatigue, blurred vision, muscle weakness, numbness, difficulty concentrating, impaired balance, and cognitive issues. Practical Strategies for Coping with Heat While heat sensitivity can be challenging, a range of practical strategies can help individuals with MS stay cool and manage their symptoms: Environmental Control: Seek Air-Conditioned Environments: During periods of extreme heat and humidity, staying in air-conditioned spaces is paramount. This could be your home, a public library, a shopping mall, or a designated cooling centre. Optimise Your Home: Use fans, air conditioners, or portable cooling devices. Close curtains and blinds during the hottest parts of the day to keep rooms cooler. Consider window tinting or blackout curtains. Strategic Scheduling: Plan outdoor activities, errands, or exercise for the coolest parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening.   Personal Cooling Techniques: Hydration is Key: Drink plenty of cold fluids throughout the day, even if you don't feel thirsty. Water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables can also help. Limit caffeine and alcohol, as they can contribute to dehydration. Cool Showers or Baths: Taking a cool shower or bath can quickly lower your body temperature. Even a cold foot bath can provide relief. Cooling Aids and Garments: Many products are designed to help you stay cool: Cooling Vests: These vests contain ice packs or circulating cool water to lower core body temperature. Cooling Wraps: Neck wraps, wrist wraps, and headbands often contain gels or substances that can be pre-cooled. Misting Sprays: A spray bottle filled with cold water can provide instant relief. Cooling Towels and Pillows: These can be pre-chilled and applied to pulse points or used for sleep. Clothing Choices: Opt for lightweight, loose-fitting clothing made from breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, or bamboo. Light colours reflect sunlight and heat more effectively than dark colours. Wet Hair: Leaving long hair wet can provide a cooling effect through evaporation. Ice and Ice-lollies: Sucking on ice cubes or eating ice-lollies can help cool you from the inside out.   Activity Modification: Adjust Exercise Routines: Exercise is beneficial for MS, but it can raise core body temperature. Consider exercising indoors in a cool environment, swimming in an unheated pool, or scheduling workouts during cooler times of the day. Pre-cooling before and post-cooling after exercise can also be helpful. Avoid Overexertion: Listen to your body and pace yourself, especially in warmer conditions. Be Mindful of Hot Environments: Avoid hot tubs, saunas, and crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.   Communication and Support: Talk to Your Healthcare Provider: If you experience significant heat sensitivity, discuss it with your neurologist, MS nurse, or GP. They can help you develop a personalised management plan and explore options like cooling product programs. Educate Loved Ones: Help family and friends understand how heat affects your MS symptoms so they can offer support and adjust activities accordingly.   While heat sensitivity can be an uncomfortable aspect of living with MS, proactive management and a variety of cooling strategies can help individuals navigate warmer temperatures and maintain a comfortable, active lifestyle. Staying Cool at The Brightwell The whole building is well ventilated, and the Oxygen Suite and the Physiotherapy Department have full air-conditioning. Outdoors, we have a fully accessible terrace area with a large gazebo providing plenty of shade. The Café has a range of chilled drinks, and there is free chilled water ALWAYS  available. Should you be unwell at the Centre, we have fully trained first aiders on hand. Stay Cool. Keep Well.

We were delighted that Keith Taylor, BEM, was invited to be interviewed by Radio Bristol. Keith was invited to discuss his recently awarded honour and to find out more about his work at the Brightwell. The interview was with Joe Lemer from BBC Bristol Radio (standing in for John Darvall). Here is the link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002dytd Slide the marker along to 2hours 8 minutes into the programme to hear the full interview. Well done Keith!

Adapted from an MS-UK blog, published: 27 June 2025 A look at how this complementary therapy may help with the symptoms of a long-term chronic condition like MS. Reflexology works around the theory that all the systems and organs of the body and mapped in smaller areas – specifically in the hands and feet. Reflexologists use gentle pressure to stimulate these areas, and believe this encourages natural healing in the corresponding body areas. Reflexology may help individuals with neurological conditions by providing gentle symptom relief and enhancing overall well-being. Despite there not being much research around the use of reflexology for neurological conditions, it is a popular and safe treatment that many enjoy. Some benefits of reflexology: 1. Relieves stress and promotes relaxation. Symptoms can be worsened by stress. Reflexology encourages deep relaxation, which may help calm the nervous system and improve how someone feels day-to-day. 2. May reduce pain and muscle tension. Some people report less pain, fewer muscle spasms, and reduced tension after reflexology sessions. The therapy involves pressure points believed to correspond to areas like the spine, legs, and nerves. 3. May improve circulation. While not medically proven, reflexologists believe the practice can stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which might help with circulation problems. 4. Supports better sleep. By promoting relaxation and easing discomfort, reflexology might help improve sleep quality, which can make a big difference for people living with fatigue from a chronic condition. 5. Encourages body awareness and emotional support Taking time for self-care and having someone focus on your well-being can help build a better mind-body connection. Reflexology sessions may also offer emotional comfort and a sense of support. Reflexology at The Brightwell. We have two therapists who offer Reflexology. Claire and Andrew are fully qualified therapists. Both have years of experience in working with those living with neurological conditions. To find out more about Reflexology and all the other Specialist Clinics we offer, please visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/therapies/specialist-clinics To book, please call 01454 201686

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new brochure. This new brochure provides all the information you need to learn more about our wonderful Centre. To view or download your copy, please download below. Each page is packed full of information, photos and links to the different web pages for more detailed information. The QR code on the back cover takes you directly to our website www.thebrightwell.org.uk . What is included? About The Brightwell What Our Members Say. About Oxygen Therapy About Neuro Physiotherapy Our Specialist Clinics The Brightwell Café How to Support Us Volunteering at The Brightwell How to Contact Us Hard copy brochures are available from the Centre to take and share Please pass a copy to a friend who might benefit from the therapies we offer, a medical or health care professional, a family member or anyone who might like to  join or be part of our fantastic Brightwell Community Thank you.