Reading Wish Tokens

Thank you to everyone who collected the Reading Post Wish Tokens for BMSTC!
We came 6th overall and received a cheque this week for £574.79p!

See press coverage here!

Tickets for one day Cricket International England vs NZ!

"I have wheelchair plus carer tickets for the One day Cricket International England v New Zealand. Sunday June 2.  Play due to start 10.45. It's at the Ageas Bowl at Hedge End, between Winchester and Southampton. it's a modern ground with excellent disabled facilities. I can't go that day unfortunately so please contact Ian Langrish if interested".

Email:  ian@bmstc.org


Date for your Diary - BMSTC AGM 16th May 2.30 - 4.00pm

Come along and find out what has been happening at the Centre and our plans for the future. Guest Speaker Surg Cdr Matt Craner - "Neuroprotective strategies in MS"

For more information click here.

Sir John to open Summer Fayre!

We are delighted to announce that the BMSTC Link Group invited our Patron Sir John Madejski to open our Summer Fayre, and he has accepted!

Sir John will officially open the event at 12.45 p.m. on Saturday 25th May.  For more information click here!

Boars Bridge Festival 2013

Information on some of the perfomers for this years festival 14th - 16th June in Hampshire.
For more information about the festival  click here!

Disability Rights UK produces new welfare reform guidance

Advice for Decision Making

Advice for Decision Making (ADM) provides guidance on the following benefits being introduced in April 2013:

• Universal Credit (UC)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• New-style contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) in accordance with the Welfare Reform Act 2012
• New-style contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) in accordance with the Welfare Reform Act 2012.

The Department for work and Pensions has published this guidance to distinguish it from existing guidance on other benefits in the Decision Makers Guide (DMG)

For more click here!

Windows 8 is here

We have installed a Windows 8 all-in-one PC in the Internet Cafe area of the centre for use by members. We hope you will enjoy using this very different PC.

For some of you it will be a great change from the old style PC and much easier to use. I’ll be happy to arrange some tution or to discuss the new system  if you want,  just contact me on 07932 703540 or dave@bmstc.org

Dave Robson

About Windows 8

The latest Microsoft Operating System is now being provided as standard on new PCs. It is the most radical change to a Microsoft system since Windows replaced DOS. It is Microsoft’s attempt to get into the touchscreen devices like the iPad, which have stormed to success over the last 2 years. But Microsoft are trying to do more than follow in Apple’s footsteps. They are offering a full function operating system with the capabilities and ease of use of touchscreen devices.

 For some of you, a touchscreen device will open up possibilities previously denied and will be much easier to use.  For others, happy with the Windows 7 interface, and not attracted by the touchscreen capabilities, the upgrade will be frustrating. But new PCs will soon all be supplied with Windows 8.

The PC in the cafe is there for you to enjoy using and to enable you to experience Windows 8 for yourselves to decide if it is for you or not.  You can try Windows 8 out for yourselves before making any commitment to buy new equipment.

On a touchscreen PC, the interface is very attractive and easy to use – but very different from any previous version of Windows.

Congratulations for our Reading Half Marathon Runners!

Contratulations to all of the Reading Half Marathon runners who braved the rain last Sunday! 

 
A huge thank you to our army of marshals who also braved the challenging conditions, thank you thank you thank you! :0) 

Finally a huge contratulations to our Tracy who shaved 10 minutes off her time from the race last year running 2 hours 34 mins 32 seconds.  She is looking in fine shape to complete the London Marathon :0)

If you would like to show your support please sponsor Tracy here!  

MS Information Day - Fatigue, 19th April 2013

Places are filling fast for the MS Information Day which will this year focus on Fatigue.  Don't delay and book yours today!

A number of guest speakers will present ways to help with living with fatigue.  There are over 20 exhibtion stands to browse through the day and refeshements will be provided.  Our special guest will be Alastair Hignell CBE, paton of MS-UK (Formerly MS Resource Centre).

The event is FREE for people with MS and their families and Carers.  Health and Social care professionas £30.00 per person.

For more information and booking click here. 

Pangbourne Art & Exhibition Sale

The Pangbourne Rotary are holding their annual Art Exhibition in Pangbourne Village Hall on Saturday 13th April and giving the proceeds to the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre :)

Please go along on the day, and if you know someone that may like to exhibit their work, please contact John Rowell on 01189843005 or speak to Jackie at the Centre. The Rotary take a 20% commission from any sales on the day.

Positive about MS

New website called Positive About MS:

"Welcome to Positive About MS. This is a website dedicated to give information to those who have MS (Multiple Sclerosis), those affected by the condition and people who may just want to know more about it.

The main reason for the site is within the title, we aim to look at and focus on the positive aspects of the condition (And Yes! There are many)."  Visit the website here!

The Brain Trust

Interesting article in the Imperial College London Magazine - "The Brain Trust - together on the frontline of the fight for MS http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/alumni/magazine

MS Insurance specialists

Source MS-UK
 The Insurance Surgery is a leading specialist for individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions such as MS. Life insurance and other personal protection products can be difficult to obtain with MS. There are a number of providers who offer particularly good rates for people with MS and this tends to change regularly. It is therefore important that you speak to a specialist like The Insurance Surgery who understands the condition and the provider underwriting terms.  For more click here.

 

Our brains matter!

Source Neurological Alliance:

Our Brains Matter’ survey

Are you living with a neurological condition? If so, we want to hear about your experience of being diagnosed; find out about taking part in our new survey.  For more information click here.

Take action on prescription charges

Source MS Society:

People with long term conditions are still forced to pay for the prescriptions they need to stay well. We need your help to campaign for an end to this unfairness.
This week, the Prescription Charges Coalition has published a new report, called Paying the Price. We have found out that people with conditions, such as heart disease, arthritis and many others, are having to choose between food, clothing, bills or prescriptions. It is wrong that people are stopping or rationing their prescriptions because of an outdated and arbitrary system. Charging is also short-sighted as it makes it more difficult for people to manage their conditions effectively, leading to more severe health problems and extra costs to the NHS and society has a whole. 

For more click here!

Would you like to join a Healthwatch Community?

There will be 6 Healthwatch Committees for Berkshire and they are looking for people to participate in shaping local health and social care.

If you are interested please click here!

Salt linked to immune rebellion in study

Source BBC:

The amount of salt in our diet could be involved in driving our own immune systems to rebel against us, leading to diseases such as multiple sclerosis, early laboratory findings suggest.

For more click here.

Tramper off road scooter for sale £1,100

 

Seen here on the Yorkshire Moors......or was it the Brecon Beacons?!!  Waterproof cover and basket.  Serviced regularly. £1,100.  If you are interested please contact David - 01491 680103 or email him Mayday.products@virgin.net

 

 



NEWS! NHS Berkshire East & Verve Communications Research Project.

Soure Healthwatch, Windsor, Ascot & Maidenhead

NHS Berkshire East is doing some important research before the end of March 2013 to look in detail at how much the public understands about local urgent and emergency care services, particularly for conditions which are not life threatening. We hope you can help us by reassuring any family, friends, neighbours or work colleagues, who may ask you about this, that it is real research and that it is all completely confidential.

We want to find out why many people visit Accident and Emergency (A & E) services when they could use other services, such as minor injuries units, urgent care centres, walk-in centres and out-of-hours GP services, which may be faster or closer to home. We will also be talking to our local GPs and some of their practice staff to get their views.

The biggest part of the research is a telephone survey of 3,000 households in east Berkshire with telephone numbers chosen at random. There will also be five "focus groups" where people will be invited to come together to tell us about their particular experience, and a small number of telephone interviews with people who recently attended A & E.

We are working with Verve Communications, a specialist company, and their telephone survey partner Marketing Means. The research will comply with the Data Protection Act, and no information which could identify individuals will be passed to NHS Berkshire East or any other organisation.

Thank you for your help. If you would like any further information you can contact Clive Caseley at Verve Communications on 020 7017 2011 or 07766 115043 or by email clive.caseley@vervecommunications.co.uk




Anyone for Cricket?!

Thank you to our Local MS Society Branches!

Thank you to our local branches of the MS Society including East Berkshire, Reading Wokingham and Districts and the Newbury branches for your support for this years MS Information Day!  We look forward to seeing you on the 19th April!  For more information about the event and how to book please click here!

Tweet tweet!

You can now follow BMSTC on Twitter here!



Boars Bridge Acoustic Music Festival - 14th - 16th June 2013

We are delighted to announce that Boars Bridge Fesival will again be supporting BMSTC this year!  Weekend ticket £15.00 per person.  (Entry by tickets purchased in advance only).

"Boars Bridge Festival is a Charity music festival held on the same weekend each year in June. The 3 day event is held in the lovely grounds of Boars Bridge House, near Tadley Hampshire, and although it is a relatively small festival the atmosphere is always lively and fun.

2013 will see the fifth Boars Bridge Fest and as usual we have a wonderful line-up of local singers and renowned professionals."

 

For more information click here!

Endure 24

Endure 24 is a 24 hour race run over a 5 mile loop of woodland trails. 8th & 9th June 2013, Wasing Park near Reading.

BMSTC is the official charity.  We are looking for people to take part in the event, and also volunteers to help to Marshal.  Please email jackie@bmstc.org if you are interested.  Further information about the event can be found here!

Fujitsu makes 'smart walking stick'

Source BBC:

 

A walking stick with built-in sat-nav has been developed by Japanese technology giant Fujitsu.

The Next Generation Cane is designed to help elderly people find their way, as well as monitor things such as heart rate and temperature.

Its location can also be followed online - and can be set up to send email alerts if it thinks the user may have fallen over.  Read more here!

Do you have a chronic or long term health condition?

Source NHS Berkshire West
The purpose of this survey is to help Berkshire West Primary Care Trust (PCT) learn what kind of services will help people with Long Term Physical Health Conditions manage their own conditions successfully and improve their health and well being. It is being conducted by a local firm, Concilio Associates Limited, on behalf of Berkshire West PCT.  For more click here!