MS Benefits Information Event Newbury, 27th July 2pm - 4pm.

Would you be interested in training as a volunteer Oxygen Operator?

We are in need of some more volunteers to help with our Oxygen Therapy service, in particular for assistance with the 1.30 sessions midweek which finish at around 3.00pm.

We require someone who will be able to commit to helping out on a regular weekly basis and joining our rota of volunteers.

Full training and support will be provided.   The chamber is very easy to operate, although it may not look so a the first glance!

If you would like to find out more, please email pippa@bmstc.org or call 0118 901 6000 and speak to Pip.

New BMSTC library books!

We are in the process of updating our free book lending library offered to our members.  If you have read any books that you could recommend relating to any aspect of living with MS, disability, or caring for someone, please do let us know the titles so we can order these in.

Andres Salter from NHS Talking Therapies has recommended some titles which are now available to borrow.  The book shelf is in reception by the Physio Gym and we just ask people to sign the books in and out at reception. 

I've put  a link to the books on Amazon so you can find out more about each title.  New titles we have to lend at BMSTC are:

The Compassionate Mind - Paul Gilbert
The Happiness Trap - Russ Harris
The Healing Power of the Breath - Richard P Brown MD and Patricia Gerbarg MD
The Mindful Way Through Anxiety - Susan M Orsillo PhD and Lizabeth Roemer, PhD
Leaves Falling Gently - Susan Bauer-Wu PhD, RN
The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques - Margaret Wehrenberg
Full Catastrophe Living - Jon Kabat-Zinn
The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion - Christopher K Gremer PhD
Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers - Robert M Sapolsky
Living With A Black Dog - Matthew and Ainsley Johnstone
Quiet the Mind - Matthew Johnstone

Happy reading! :0)

Research study for people with RRMS on DMD's - £20 referral fee to BMSTC and a £40 incentive for you!

"Dear Pippa

 

We would be grateful once again for your help in referring Relapsing Remitting MS patients to take part in another paid market research study with us.We are currently looking for a total of 15 patients and in return we would offer you a £20 referral fee for every patient that passes the screening criteria and goes on to complete the study.

The aim of the study is to better understand patients experiences of living with MS where we are asking the patients to take part in an online community chat forum.The chat forum would take place over 1-2 weeks in which time the participants would ideally login on a daily basis and contribute to the forum.

 

As a token of our appreciation for their feedback, they will receive an incentive payment of £40.

In order to take part in this study one of the main criteria is that the patients need to currently be on a DMD.

The online forum is due to launch towards the end of this week and I can be reached on the details below.

Contact :

Sam Smith - Project Coordinator

Field Scope International - London

Mob: 07788 725 557

email: sam.s@fieldscopeint.com

 

Fish study may help multiple sclerosis treatment

Source BBC:

A tropical fish study has found clues about the human nervous system that may help multiple sclerosis treatment.

An examination of the transparent zebrafish has shed light on how the nerve network protects itself.  Read more here.

Petition - Increase funding for care

Source: 38degrees.org

In less than a week's time, Osborne will set out the government’s spending plans for 2015/16. He’s making the final decisions now. Older and disabled people need funding for more carers and more care, not less.
 
For more click here.

Enrych Berkshire - a stepping stone to a more colourful life!

At ENRYCH Berkshire we believe that someone with a disability should not be prevented from living the life they want to live. That is why we work with individual people, regardless of their disability, to enable them to enjoy hobbies, interests and activities of their choosing, and to develop their skills and knowledge through learning opportunities.  For more information click here!

Kerri Squibb Skydive!

Kerri Squibb is going to be doing a SKY DIVE for the Centre on Sunday, 30th June and she is very excited about it, and so would I be if I dared do such a thing! 

If you would like to sponsor her, please log onto http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KerriSquibb 

Kayleigh Keen has a baby girl!

Great news that Kayleigh, our footcare lady, has had her baby!.....

"We are delighted to announce the birth of our beautiful baby girl- Amelli Rose Butler born on the 6/6/13 at 5:18am weighing 7lb 3. We are all doing very well and are enjoying every second of our princess."  

Congratulations to the new family from everyone at BMSTC :0)x

Calling all collectors!

Calling all collectors experienced or new we need more help with our street collections:

Saturday 06 July for Reading Street
Wednesday 10 July Tesco Extra Portman Road
Saturday 13 July Wokingham Street


Various slots available , please contact kirsten@bmstc.org if you can help, or call Kirsten or Tracy on 0118 901 6000. :0)

BMSTC Link Group Secretary needed

The BMSTC Link Group meet approximately 4 times a year and co-ordinate a number of fundraising events for BMSTC including the Spring and Christmas Fayres.  They are in desperate need of a new Secretary to help take minutes and co-ordinate their meetings.

Becky Ford has had to step down from this position due to other committments.  She has been a tremendous help and support during her time on the committee and will be missed greatly.  Thank you for all of your help Becky :0)

If you think that you woudl be able to help - please do get in touch by emailing pippa@bmstc.org and I will forward your details onto the Link Group.

Boars Bridge Festival success!

Thank you to everyone who came along or supported the Boars Bridge Festival last weekend.  We had over 200 people who attended the event, all of which had a thoroughly good time!

 Particular thanks go to the event organiser, Lynne Whiteland, who put in so much time and hard work to make this the most successful event yet!  Thanks also to our wonderful volunteers and performers who gave up their time to keep everyone entertained, fed and watered over the weekend:0)

The cheque presentation will be on the 27th June and we will be announcing the total raised then.  We already know we have smashed last years!

Pilates Class New Physical Activity Sessions for People with Long Term Conditions - Wokingham

The first exercise session has now been arranged and will be an introductory Pilates class on Thursday 27^th June. This will be led by a fully qualified instructor and will be in the studio at St Crispin’s Leisure Centre from 12.30 to 2.30  The exercise will last for approx.  45 minutes (depending on how participants feel) and will be followed by tea and coffee.  This will be open only to individuals who have MS and the first session will be free of charge.
 

Anyone wishing to book a place for the class can do so by emailing me Amanda.Speck@wokingham.gov.uk  or contacting me on 07809 309582.

Many thanks
Amanda Speck
Physical Activity Co-ordinator - Long Term Conditions
Sport and LeisureTeam
Wokingham Borough Council

 



New Physical Activity Sessions for People with Long Term Conditions - Wokingham

Wokingham Borough Council are running a new project to provide physical activity opportunities for those with long term health conditions, outside of clinical rehabilitation.

Conditions such as long term neurological, respiratory, and cardiovascular, and those relating to recovery from injury or illness. Where possible the project will create a pathway into independent use of local leisure facilities or inclusion in sport or physical activity clubs across the borough.

Amanda Speck is the new Physical Activity Coordinator supporting Wokingham Borough residents with long term conditions. Amanda will deliver physical activity sessions at six areas across the borough; Wokingham, Earley, Woodley, Shinfield/Swallowfield, Wargrave/Remenham and Finchampstead for those with the following conditions:

·       Multiple Sclerosis

·       Parkinson’s

·       Stroke recovery

·       Diabetes

·       Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

·       Cardiovascular disease

·       Physical disabilities

Sessions will cost £1.80 and will include 30 – 60 mins exercise followed by tea and coffee.

In addition to this Amanda will deliver physical activity sessions at the new Rehab Gym opening mid-July at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, Lower Earley.  The Rehab Gym will consist of gym equipment suitable for those with long term conditions, alongside portable equipment such as small portable weights, steps, mats, medicine balls, and Swiss balls.

The gym will be open to members of the public for casual use for two hours per day which will be staffed by a qualified member of staff.

Amanda adds: ““Individuals with long term health conditions will benefit from both the activity sessions across the borough and the new rehabilitation gym which will provide them with a purpose built facility where they can exercise and take part in activities with the support of qualified experienced Instructors. Appropriate exercise will help to maintain mobility, improve breathing and activities of daily living and may help slow down progression of long term conditions, as well as being a great way of socialising.  This is a much needed, exciting project and I look forward to seeing the many benefits it will bring to the borough“.

If you would like more information about the Rehab Gym and Physical Activity sessions or the role of the Physical Activity Coordinator across the Borough please contact Amanda on 07809 309582.

Date for your diary!

As you know our wonderful Physio Manager, Ruth Lownsbrough, will be leaving us on the 29th August. We thought that we would throw a little leaving party for her on that afternoon from 1pm to 3pm here at the MS Therapy Centre

All welcome but please RSVP if you would like to come along, so we have numbers for catering. 

You can RSVP by  email to pippa@bmstc.org. It would be great to give her a good send off after 19 years of service to BMSTC! :0)

Scientists proclaim MS treatment breakthrough after dramatic test results - but with small group so far

Source The Independent:

Scientists are claiming a breakthrough in the treatment of multiple sclerosis after an experimental therapy given to a small group of patients had dramatic results.

The therapy involved extracting white blood cells from the patients which were mixed with proteins and re-infused producing a 50-75 per cent reduction in the body's immune response.

Read more here.

Thanks to all involved in Endure 24!

Many thanks to our fantastic volunteer marshalls who turned out for Endure 24 at the weekend and cheered the runners on. Thank you also to the Sole Destroyers and Kathy Tytler who ran the course for the Centre.

 This is an event that will grow and grow and as the Official Charity Endure24 we are very well placed to get a lot more runners to support the centre in years to come

Personal Independence Payment replaces Disability Living Allowance across UK

Source the Independent:
The Government will roll out its re-designed disability benefit across the country today, replacing what it calls an "outdated" system.

The Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which was trialled in the North of England in April, replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for working-age claimants, which was introduced over 20 years ago.  Read more here.

Carers Week research reveals carers’ experiences in UK

Source MS Society:
New research from Carers Week of over 2,100 carers has revealed that many carers lack support and information when they first take on a caring role, and were unprepared for all aspects of caring.  Read more here.

The impact of cognitive symptoms

Source MS Trust:

The impact of symptoms that affect thinking in multiple sclerosis has been highlighted by an international survey.

Cognition includes memory, concentration, planning, thinking things out, decision-making and understanding.  Read more here.

The value of specialist nurses

Source MS Trust:

The benefits of specialist nurses have been highlighted in two recent studies.

A survey of awareness of the latest European guidelines on heart failure, which were published last year, found that 83% of cardiac nurses knew about the guidance compared to just 36% of GPs.  Read more here.

Disability Living Allowance changes begin

Source BBC News:

A new system of disability benefits has begun to take effect across England, Scotland and Wales.

Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) are replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) as part of the government's welfare reforms.  For more click here.

Rivertime Cruise - Volunteers Week Thank you!

Some of our wonderful Volunteers enjoying a trip on Rivertime along the Thames from Henley! We organised two trips last week as a "Thank You" to our Volunteers as part of Volunteers Week. One of the trips was generously sponsored by the Michael Shanly Foundation. 

Happy Days! :0)

Thank you to Pangbourne Rotary Club!

The Pangbourne Rotary Club chose the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre as its major beneficiary for their annual Art Exhibition and Sale April this year.  They raised a total of just under £2,000 from the sale and presented a cheque to the value of £943.45 to Jackie Malcolm, the Fundraiser at the  MS Centre this week. 


Last call for Boars Bridge Festival Tickets!

Last call for Boars Bridge Festival Tickets!

The weather forecast looks great for the weekend of this years Boars Bridge  Festival, 14th - 16th June!

Why not come along and enjoy a relaxing weekend of music, dancing, fun, real ale and laughter in the beautiful grounds of Boars Bridge House, Bramley (near Tadley, Hants).

For more click here. 

Source ShiftMS:

From relapsing remitting MS to secondary progressive, Here's the full playlist of answers from Professor Alan Thompson. If watching this prompts more questions, please do ask them in the comments and we will try and get them answered.

Read more here.

Happy Volunteers Week!

Happy Volunteers Week to all of our wonderful BMSTC Volunteers! It is only with your time and help that the Centre can continue to support local people with MS and their familes.

A HUGE THANK YOU!! :0)x

Immune training MS trial 'safe'

Source BBC:
An experimental treatment to stop the body attacking its own nervous system in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) appears safe in trials
Read more here.

Happy Birthday Joy!

Happy Birthday to Joy, one of our wonderful volunteer receptionists! It's a very special birthday! ;0)

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant study results

Source: www.medpagetoday.com

ORLANDO -- High-dose immunosuppressant therapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) induced durable freedom from relapses and MRI lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis, researchers reported here.