The West of England MS Therapy Centre has been caring for people with multiple sclerosis, their families and carers since 1985. MS is a disease affecting the central nervous system and is the most common cause of disability in young people in the UK today.
In the past month, three companies have kindly supported the centre by releasing some of their employees from their working duties to spend time at the centre helping out with maintenance and gardening tasks.
Staff from HBOS (a banking and insurance company), LV (who specialise in car, home, travel and life insurance) and Mercer (consultants in talent, health, retirement and investments) all thoroughly enjoyed their days with the centre and felt that it gave them satisfaction knowing that they were helping out a local charity and giving something back to the community.
In 2012, the centre moved into a larger, fully accessible, bespoke building in Wheatfield Drive, Bradley Stoke. Here, the centre provides treatments, therapies and vital support to people living with MS and increasingly other neurological conditions in a caring, friendly and professional environment.
A spokesperson said:
“We are the only therapy centre open to people with neurological conditions on a self-referral basis in the Greater Bristol Area and our aim is to support them so that they can remain independent and active for as long as possible. Whilst there is no cure for many of the conditions we treat, the therapies and social support we offer help individuals to cope better with the day-to-day challenges they face.”
The centre offers physiotherapy, exercise classes and oxygen treatment. We have a dedicated team of professional therapists providing acupuncture, reflexology, aromatherapy, foot health, beauty treatments, hypnotherapy and other talking therapies including a counselling service. It also holds specialised clinics for bladder and bowel wellness and spasticity management, along with an MS nurse advice clinic and advice on employment and benefits.
It costs around £380,000 to keep the Centre running every year and currently less than one percent is received from statutory funding.
Would you like to get involved with the centre and make a difference? Any help no matter how big or small is always appreciated whether that is from volunteering, fundraising or getting your workplace involved. Contact the centre for more information at fundraising@mstherapybristol.org.uk
Photo: Mercer employees help maintain the grounds at the West of England MS Therapy Centre.
This article originally appeared in the June 2017 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine (on page 39). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,500 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
