MS Therapy Centre news
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Hello everyone, here is some news about our partial re-opening... Please scroll down to see all of rhe news. Click to see this email online if the images and links aren't showing for you.
All has gone well, with members and staff feeling confident with the
safety measures in place.
As Government guidance has changed, our MS nurse has reviewed our screening tool. Now, no members are excluded from therapies based on their health status. but members must understand that if they fall under the “clinically extremely vulnerable” category they must assess for themselves whether they wish to take the risk to come to the MS Therapy Centre (see our safety measures on our website).
Please note that we are currently partially open, so you will not be able to have the regular appointments you have been used to. In the next couple of weeks the Centre will be reviewing its opening days/times and we hope to be open each day as long as the Government does not make any local or national changes. we look forward to providing therapies to as many members as possible.
We will also continue to support you online and over the phone. Please see details of Tai Chi and Pilates classes below.
Our shops and fundraising events remain closed currently.
01234 325781 manager@mscentrebedsandnorthants.com
A HUGE 'THANK YOU' TO EVERYONE WHO HAS CONTINUED TO MAKE THEIR REGULAR DONATIONS: You have made it possible to get us to this point of being able to offer some therapies. Please continue to help in whatever way you can.
Coming to the MS Therapy Centre
For appointments please email reception@mscentrebedsandnorthants.com. Or phone 01234 325781 Mon- Thur 9am - 12noon
Please check your emails and let us know as soon as you can if you can attend an appointment.
Procedures at the MS Therapy Centre
Please visit our webpage to see all of the changes we have put in place for you to have therapies. There is a specific entrance for each therapy - see the videos on our website so you know where to go.
Action Potential Simulation (APS).
You can book appointments as long as you have been assessed in the past and know what your routine is.
There are machines to rent at home if you already know your protocol. Please ask Tracy on 01234 325781.
Angela says "it is fantastic to be back. I have really missed my APS sessions. Safe environment to be in. Thank you to everyone for making it possible."
Hydrotherapy - We've been filling up the hydrotherapy pool!
Did you know that it takes 11 hours to fill with water and another day to heat up to the right temperature? Think of the bills!
Sarah will start phoning her regular clients to arrange appointments with measures in place to keep you distanced and safe.
MS nurse consultations
Emma, our MS nurse will be available to take your queries on Thursdays. Emma will be on holiday for 2 weeks Aug 20th and 27th. Please email Emma or phone 01234 325781 and we will pass on the message.
Oxygen Therapy - all users of oxygen at the Centre should have received an email, letter or phone call about new arrangements. Please make sure that you return your consent form, and purchase your mask in order to start having oxygen again. If your GP hasn't returned our consent form to us you should arrange a phone appointment to go through it with them. Marge says "I have been twice now for oxygen. Simple procedure and felt very safe."
Remember us in your will
A recent legacy has been crucial for our finances this month. We really appreciate the member who died 2 years ago and made a donation to us in his will.
Make sure that your wishes are honoured, and maybe add a donation to the MS Therapy Centre at the same time.
Annual General Meeting
This year's AGM went very well on Zoom with a number of staff, volunteers and supporters attending including two of our patrons. You can see the reports from the chair of Trustees and Treasurer on our website.
Did you know that mind-body therapies may be effective for treating some common MS symptoms? It has been shown that as little as 10 days' mindfulness training using the Headspace app can lead to an improved quality of life.
One of our members is asking for volunteers to find out whether mindfulness can be used to help people manage their MS. Can you help?
Online art event - Join the 50 local artists who have already kindly donated their work to help us raise funds for our charity.
We are now looking for more artists to donate a postcard-sized original artwork.
We have posted photos of some of the first artwork donations
Each work will be sold for £20 between 3rd - 18th October, with all proceeds helping to return therapies to the MS Therapy Centre.
If you can please donate a piece of postcard-sized art in any medium, please contact Bela Brown:
See our website for details
100 club winners for July
1st – Ciara Murphy no. 83 £70
2nd - Gordon Jones no. 42 £42
3rd - Kevin Smith no. 47 £28
Lucky winners! Thank you for taking part.
Thank you Tesco
Thank you so much to Tesco Riverfield Drive and Celia Chillingworth for this crucial voucher for £150.
We will spend it on cleaning items needed for our opening including: hand sanitiser, sanitiser spray, bleach, toilet rolls
and other cleaning products.
Most fundraising activities have been cancelled. So, in order to keep the Centre viable for when you return, it is vital that you continue to make your monthly donations if your earnings have not changed, and you can manage to do so. Your donations are not for your therapies directly, they are to keep the Centre running overall.
Virtual Quiz Mondays at 7.30pm. Our last quiz for the time being will take place tonight Monday 17th August. Please join in to send it off with a bang.
Let us know if you have any other fundraising ideas.
Tai Chi with Jenny McCarthy
Wednesdays & Fridays at 11.30am
This is a weekly Facebook Live class. Please log on to the Centre’s Facebook page a few minutes before 11.30am to access it. There is a real community spirit.
Live Pilates with Jen on Zoom
Jen is also offering Pilates via Zoom on Thursdays at 11.30am.
Please call Jen on 07904033712 or email jen.idopilates@gmail.com to complete a health questionnaire beforehand.
Live Pilates with Jen on Facebook
Tuesdays at 11.30 - Join Jen and your MS chums for a live seated pilates session.
"This class has helped me so much"
Ebay for charity
Sorry, we can't accept your lockdown clear out items just yet, but could you sell them on Ebay with some or all of the proceeds coming to the MS Therapy Centre? Selling for charity reduces your sellers' fees. Just see this page for more information.
Counselling - If you are finding it hard to cope at this time,, our counsellor, Gill, is available for telephone or email consultations. Please contact the Centre and we will pass on your details. 01234 325781
MS UK also offers a counselling service by telephone or video link. Register online here.
Facebook birthday fundraiser
Thank you to Vicki for setting up a birthday fundraiser on Facebook in July and raising very valuable funds. How about setting one up if you have a birthday soon? Let's make it one a month!
If you don't have Facebook, you could use our page on JustGiving to raise funds for any celebration event - just share our link with your friends and family.
The country is coming out of lockdown slowly, but what does that mean for people with MS?
Read advice from the MS Trust and the government
Disability Resource Centre - chat and collect equipment service
Chat with trained advisors on the phone; they will help you choose your item. You can pay over the phone and then collect safely.
MS nurse in the Community
Miranda is now working as the community MS nurse in Bedfordshire. If you would like to see her, you can refer yourself by phoning 0345 6024064.
Miranda can see anyone who has a Bedfordshire GP (not Luton) and is not under any other MS Nurse service (eg for disease modifying therapies).
You can keep in touch with what is going on by:
- Checking our website: www.mscentrebedsandnorthants.com
- Following our facebook page: www.facebook.com/BedsNorthantsMsTherapyCentre
- Or joining our Facebook group, where you can chat with other members: https://www.facebook.com/groups/108028842588168/
PLEASE JOIN IN WITH OUR FUN VIRTUAL FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES.
And please keep in touch!
If you are buying items online, don't forget to use Amazon smile, Easyfundraising and Dontsendmeacard.com to raise funds for us at NO COST to yourself.
This newsletter is kindly sponsored by the following advertisers:
Treworgans holiday cottages
- Accessible cottages
- Free use of accessibility equipment
- Cornwall
- https://treworgans.co.uk/
Collett Hulance - Accountants
- Certified accountants
- Tax returns
- Bookkeeping
- Kimbolton Road, Bedford
- https://colletthulance.co.uk/
Hatters Furnishings
- Personal customer service
- Expert advice
- Disabled access
- Over 100 room settingsFamily owned for 60 years
- Hattersfurniture.co.uk
Medicotech
- Exercise bikes and equipment for disabled people
- Cycling, gaming, standing, balancing, gait and seating
- Active or passiv
- Hire plan available
- Used at the MS Therapy Centre
- https://medicotech.co.uk/
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Beds and Northants MS Therapy Centre
A centre of excellence providing professional specialist therapies and support for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in a self-help environment that inspires and empowers.
- 155 Barkers Lane, Bedford MK41 9RX
- 01234 325781
- mscentrebedsandnorthants.com
- Registered charity number 802510