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On Friday, 29 August, we say a fond farewell to Bhumika, one of our valued and much-loved Physiotherapists. Bhumika has been a key member of our exceptional physio team here at the Centre for the past seven years. Not only has Bhumika had a significant and positive impact on the lives of hundreds of Brightwell members, but she has also been a keen supporter of events and fundraising, helping The Brightwell become the vibrant and supportive place it is today. Over the years, Bhumika has attended several MS Trust Conferences with Amrik and other physiotherapy team members. Last year, the Brightwell and Rugged Interactive team presented the findings of using the CardioWall here at The Brightwell. Bhumika is also an active member of the Bradley Stoke Community, taking part in numerous cultural and social events. She is the proud Mum of her son, who attends a local school and is a keen cricketer. On behalf of every person whom she has helped maintain a level of fitness, mobility and deal with the challenges of living with a neurological condition, a massive thank you. We look forward to Bhumika remaining part of our wider Brightwell Community, and we all wish you all the best for a happy and healthy future.

On 3 September, an intrepid bunch from the Kendleshire Golf Club will swap their clubs for wheels as they take on a 100-mile cycle ride. The team will end their gruelling journey at Machynys Golf and Monk Island Resort, Llanelli. The ride starts early on 3 September 2025, and they hope to complete the ride in about 10 hours, probably very saddle sore at the finish! The Kendleshire men’s Captain, Martyn Olds, has generously chosen The Brightwell as one of their charities of the year. He and his wife Sue will be providing refreshments and support along the route, along with Marcus Sykes and Phil Wiltshire. The ride aims to raise £3000, and you can support Eion and the other riders by donating to their page and help spur them to the finish line! Eion Bailey is fundraising for MS Therapy Centre at Bristol Thank you to all at The Kendleshire for their continued support!

Looking to develop your cycle skills? The Vinehill Trust hosts FREE drop-in Cycle sessions on Wednesdays between 10 am-4.00 pm for people with disabilities, additional needs or enduring health conditions They offer a range of bikes, trikes, handcycles, co-riders, and other adaptive bikes, so they provide a variety of ways to get you pedalling. Please see the poster below for more information or visit www.strawberrycycles.com. This looks like a great way to get out and about and exercise at the same time!

Due to the great success of the Taster Class, we are delighted to announce that the Dance Class will become a regular exercise class every Monday from 3 to 4 pm. Check out the video from the Taster class, it was great fun! Meet Your Instructor: Audrey Lam Audrey Lam, one of our expert Physiotherapists, is also an accomplished Street Dancer. Audrey and the Physio team have put together an exciting new Exercise Class to include some Street Dance! and cardio fitness. What to Expect: This class promises to be lively, fun, as well as a great chance to exercise at the same time! This class is suitable for all of our Brightwell Community. So whether you are a wheelchair user, use a walking aid or can stand, this class is for you No dance experience needed, Audrey will help you through the whole class! Suggested contribution for each session is  £9 per person or a discounted rate of £60 for a block booking of 10 sessions paid in advance. To book your place, please call Reception on 01454 201 686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk

We are delighted to share that Wain Homes has raised an incredible £11,000  at their Severn Valley annual charity golf day, held at the impressive Kendleshire Golf Club in Coalpit Heath. More than 100 golfers from across the property and construction industry came together for the event, raising vital funds that will directly support people living with chronic neurological conditions in our community. Nick Moore, Managing Director of Wain Homes Severn Valley, said: “It is an honour to be able to support the important work The Brightwell does looking after people suffering with neurological conditions in our local communities. The conditions can seriously affect a person’s quality of life, and I would like to thank everyone who either played or supported our golf day through sponsorship, which raised much-needed funds for The Brightwell to help them continue to provide their vital services.” Wain Homes Severn Valley are proud near-neighbours of The Brightwell and have chosen us as their Charity Partner for the second year running. Headquartered in Bradley Stoke, they are also currently building eight new family home developments across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, and the West Midlands. Earlier this year, a team from Wain Homes Severn Valley also achieved an impressive second place in Bristol Rotary’s Dragon Boat Race, with proceeds benefiting The Brightwell. It has been an absolute pleasure to partner with Wain Homes, and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Nick, Maisie, Claire, Nicky, and the whole team for their incredible support and generosity.

We are delighted to announce a Taster Session for a completely new style of class for us here at The Brightwell. This new session has been developed by Millie Rutherford, our Rehabilitation Therapy Specialist. This is a Zoom class. This will be a great start to the day for those who are working or have commitments during the day that prevent them from coming to the Centre. This can also be an additional exercise opportunity for those attending other classes or Oxygen Therapy. What is MIIT? Interval Training: Instead of exercising at a steady rate for pace, MIIT involves alternating between short bursts of planned exercise and brief periods of lower-intensity activity or complete rest.  Every exercise has been designed taking into account the needs of those living with a neurological or chronic condition. Who is this MIIT class suitable for? This class is aimed at those members with higher mobility and relatively good balance. Maybe you are newly diagnosed or looking for a more challenging class but find classes elsewhere too tiring or unsuitable for your condition. What will the class include? Each 30-minute session will include: Upper Limb, Lower Limb and Core exercises (standing) Mixed exercises to allow for muscle groups to rest Use of weights/dumbbells Interval training – 30 seconds on, 30 seconds’ rest Including Warm Up Upper Limb Exercises (standing) Core Exercises (standing) Lower Limb Exercises (standing) Cool Down When is this session? Tuesday 2 September 8.45 am to 9.15 am. If this class is popular and there is a demand, a face-to-face option will be considered. How much is the cost? This is a FREE Taster Session Should you wish to join this class on a weekly basis, the suggested contribution for members is £9 per session or £60 for a block of 10 sessions booked in advance. How do I join? Call Reception on 01454 201686 to book.  Millie will contact you to discuss the class further and will send you the link to join the class.

We are incredibly grateful to PJ’s Track Days  for hosting a fantastic fundraising event in support of The Brightwell . Held at the iconic Castle Combe Circuit  on Tuesday, 12th August , this open pit track day brought together motorsport enthusiasts for a cause close to our hearts - and it did not disappoint! The energy on the day was electric, with participants enjoying the thrill of the track while helping raise much-needed funds for our charity. Thanks to everyone’s generosity and the dedication of the organisers, an amazing £1,700  was raised - every penny of which goes directly towards supporting the work we do at The Brightwell. The feedback from the day has been overwhelmingly positive. In fact, Paul from PJ’s Track Days was so impressed by the turnout and spirit of the event that he’s even considering running two track days  next year - a testament to the success and enjoyment shared by all who took part. To everyone who helped organise, attended, drove, volunteered, or supported in any way - thank you . Your support means the world to us and makes a real difference to our community. Stay tuned for next year’s plans!

Bradley Stoke Town Council is bringing back its Trail, but with a new theme – Bugs in their Habitats! The trail will run from Friday, 8 August to Tuesday, 26 August 2025 across Bradley Stoke. The trail invites families, friends, and nature enthusiasts to enjoy a creative, wildlife-themed walk through the community, all while raising money for brilliant causes. To join the Trail, simply purchase a Bug Trail map for £3 (Available from Tuesday, 5th August), which guides you through a walkable route filled with fun activities and surprises for all ages. All profit goes directly to the Mayor's Charities: the Brightwell Centre, Diabetes UK, and Mamas Bristol. It's a perfect way to explore the outdoors, learn about nature, and support local organisations doing vital work. Downloadable maps can also be purchased online at the Eventbrite website. Please click here. The Brightwell is so grateful to be one of the Mayor’s Charities. We hope each enjoys this great activity in the sunshine, this month!

When and where 24 Sept 2025, 19:00 – 22:00 Bradley Stoke, Wheatfield Dr, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 9DB, UK About Doors open at 6.30pm. Eyes down at 7pm. 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. Feel free to come on your own to make new friends, as a couple or with a larger friends/family group. Suitable for all ages from 10+. You are welcome to bring your own drinks (alcoholic or soft drinks) and nibbles to the event.  Buy Tickets

Professor Chris Ponting and Sarah Chadfield, image Channel 4 news Adapted from a Channel 4 News article by Kathryn Samson, 6 Aug 2025. Scientists said the findings offer the first robust evidence that genes contribute to a person’s chance of developing the disease. Please click here to see the full YouTube video We’re a long way from a diagnostic test or cure for ME, but the world’s largest genetic study into the disease is celebrating a breakthrough. The University of Edinburgh’s Institute of Genetics and Cancer has found a genetic link in the DNA of people with ME, compared to the general population. Scientists said the findings offer the first robust evidence that genes contribute to a person’s chance of developing the disease. The Decode ME study, uncovered eight areas of genetic code in people with ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) that are markedly different to the DNA of people without the condition. The DNA of more than 15 and a half thousand people across the UK was analysed in the five-year study led by Professor Chris Ponting. Channel 4 was the first broadcast team to be given access to the results of the study, and they joined Professor Ponting three weeks ago, as he went to meet Sarah Chadfield, one of its participants. Sarah’s story Sarah was an active school teacher before being diagnosed with moderate ME twelve years ago. Simple tasks can now trigger days of suffering. She says her chair has become the centre of her world. “It is like my body’s in distress” she says, “and it’s screaming at me. It’s not exactly pain, it’s deeper than pain, and I just have to sit down.” It’s estimated that around four hundred thousand people in the UK suffer from ME. But many feel the disease is misunderstood – by friends, family and the healthcare profession. Something Professor Ponting is hoping the initial results of this study can change. He’s come to tell Sarah what they’ve found. Please see the video from the link in the first paragraph, or click here to read this fascinating article in full.    Therapy for ME and CFS at The Brightwell. Doro Pasantes, CEO at The Brightwell, explains: “We have lots of members living with ME and CFS, who regularly have sessions of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Many have been coming to us on a weekly or fortnightly basis for many years. The reported benefits are mostly focused on the significant reduction in fatigue and brain fog.  Users advise us that they experience higher  energy levels after their Oxygen sessions, plus a feeling of wanting to do more improves the overall well-being of our members living with such conditions.” If you would like to  find out more, please call 01454 201686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk Please also visit www.thebrightwell.org.uk/oxygen-therapy

MS-UK  offers a range of online sessions and activities, and we thought some of these might be of interest to our Brightwell Community. For August, they are introducing new sessions, including courses, creative workshops, supportive peer groups and weekly classes. If you miss these sessions, they can be watched back on demand. Four Week Mindfulness Course 13 August 10am Introduction session Wednesday 13 August at 10 am The suggested donation for this session is £7 This session is an introduction to our four-week mindfulness course, providing an opportunity for those interested in finding out more about our upcoming course starting in September, which will take place on Wednesday, 03, 10, 17 and 24 September 2025 at 10-11:30 am. Please note – To join the next course, attendance to this introduction session is required. Click here to find out more and to book Get creative, improve your wellbeing!  18 August at 2.30 pm Join us on the third Monday of the month, 2:30 pm to 4 pm UK time for a 90-minute drop-in session to improve your wellbeing through creativity. We’ll start each session with some grounding to settle into the space. We’ll then discuss the monthly theme and music, poetry, and works of art related to it. You’ll also have opportunities to connect with other people with the same interests and are affected by  multiple sclerosis  (MS). Click here to find out more and to book Pain and MS  27 August at 2 pm This session offers a supportive introduction to understanding and managing chronic pain, including the differences between acute and persistent pain, with a focus on neuropathic pain. Samantha Mason from Pain Concern will share insights into the charity’s resources, such as podcasts, leaflets, and their Pain Matters magazine, while highlighting practical self-management strategies like pacing, mindfulness, and building support networks. Click here to find out more and to book Nutritional strategies 28 August 4 pm In this informative and practical session, registered nutritional th erapist Jenna Cox will explore how targeted, evidence-based dietary strategies can support the management of these common comorbidities. With a strong focus on improving both physical and mental well-being, Jenna will provide realistic and actionable nutrition tips that can be adapted to your lifestyle. Click here to find out more and to book Register for your free account here. https://ms-uk.org/register/

CALLING ALL CARERS! Following a very successful talk in June from the Sirona NHS Falls Prevention Team, we are pleased to announce details of the next 2 Brightwell Carers’ Sessions, which will be held at the Centre, as follows: Thursday, 11 September 2 – 4 pm Practical Hints and Tips for Carers We are hoping that this will be a useful and informative meeting, touching on a wide range of information and issues relevant to Carers We will be touching on a wide range of issues, including Various aspects of dealing with health care services for the person you care for. Entitlement to benefits. Registering with Priority Services Registers for utilities, Organising aids and adaptations. Emergency Information Plans. 3 rd  Party Mandates. Lasting Powers of Attorney. Carers Assessments. An open discussion at the end of the session will provide an opportunity to share information and experiences, and to identify any of these areas that members may wish to focus on in more detail at future sessions. This is a free session and refreshments will be available. The session will be led by Wendy Patterson, Volunteer Facilitator, ex-Carer and Retired Counsellor. Our November meeting Our November session will be on Thursday, 13 November, from 2- 4 pm. The focus for this session will be Physical & Emotional Well-Being for Carers. This session will focus on the importance of looking after yourself as a carer, both in terms of your physical and emotional health and well-being. There will be time to reflect on your own individual needs, discussion of some suggestions for positive improvements (as well as the things that can get in the way!!) and the opportunity to develop your own individual plans for caring for yourself. Wendy will be facilitating both of these sessions and will allow time at the end of the sessions for informal tea and chat. Any Carers who are interested in attending either or both of these sessions will find that a very warm welcome awaits. It would be really helpful if you would let Reception know, as soon as possible, if you do intend to come along, as this helps us in both planning the session itself and in making sure we have appropriate room space available. Please call 01454 201686 or email hello@thebrightwell.org.uk . Getting Involved and Feedback We are keen to hear your views and suggestions about how the Centre can best support Carers, so whether or not you can come along to these sessions, we would love to hear from you. You can contact Wendy by leaving a message at Reception, or look out for the short survey form we are planning to make available in the next few months. Carers Information Point Don’t forget to take a look at the leaflets and information now available on the poster and in the information racks at the Carers Information Point. This can be found beyond the Café.