Could you be eligible to save money on your broadband?

Posted by & filed under Information.

Broadband social tariffs are special discounted deals available for certain low-income customers. They’re generally cheaper than typical broadband tariffs, starting at just £12 per month. They also usually aren’t subject to price rises or exit fees.

Social tariffs are designed to act as a safety net for households that may otherwise struggle to afford broadband services. Research by the telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has shown that an estimated 4.2 million households in the UK are eligible but many people who are eligible do not know about the tariffs and so do not take up the offer.

Who is eligible for social tariffs?

You’re likely to be eligible for a social tariff if you receive a means-tested state benefit, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or equivalents.

The exact requirements depend on the broadband provider in question – some only offer social tariffs to Universal Credit recipients, while others extend eligibility to those on Council Tax Support, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance.

Those who receive Guarantee Credit (a top-up to Pension Credit) are also usually eligible. Some providers also offer social tariffs to vulnerable households that receive non-means-tested benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment.

How to find out more

There is lots of information on the Which website

You can also find out more on the Money Saving Expert website

Stress and MS, MS Society webinar – 13 April

Posted by & filed under MS Society Local Branch.

We know some people with MS often find stress impacts their condition in some way. It’s impossible to avoid it completely, but stress affects a body’s ability to fight disease, which is why it’s important to learn ways to manage it as much as possible. 

This webinar will feature Dr. Rachel Hunter from Swansea University. Rachel is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, passionate about sharing lifestyle approaches to illness with others. She will also be joined by volunteer Steve Rose, a trained psychotherapist. The panel will be sharing the importance of recognising your stress and learning ways to manage it. 

Date: Thursday 13 April

Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm

This session is organised by the national MS charity, the MS Society. You can find out more about them by visiting their website at www.mssociety.org.uk

Click here to book now

Tesco Abingdon volunteers – thank you!

Posted by & filed under Fundraising.

Thank you for all our volunteers who collected small change at Tesco Abingdon on 18th March.  Together they raised: £487.55.  Many thanks to: Susan, Adrian, Andy and Julia, Geoff, Alison, Jenny, Shelagh, Dave and Jill for giving up their time.  It is very much appreciated.  With some of the money we will be purchasing some new towels and a towel rail for the massage room and a new face cradle and covers for the massage table.  Thanks to all 🙂

MS Society react to Government Welfare plans

Posted by & filed under MS Society Local Branch.

Last week the UK Government announced their biggest planned changes for disability benefits in a decade. National charity the MS Society has looked at the potential impacts on people with MS.

On a positive note, the UK Government will start testing the use of specialist assessors for specific health conditions. This means people with MS might no longer have to explain the basics of MS to their assessors. The Government will also test automatically sharing assessment reports with claimants before a decision has been made. The Energy Price Guarantee has also been extended until June, something which many charities had been campaigning for.

Less positively, more people could face work-related requirements. This means more people with MS could be made to carry out inappropriate work-related activityor face the threat of losing their financial support. Also there has been no commitment to increase benefit rates at a time when many people with MS on benefits are struggling with the cost of living.

The MS Society also has concerns about changes to Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments (PIP) assessments.

You can read the full article and about ongoing associated campaigns on the MS Society website

Read the full article here

What Next? Newly Diagnosed MS Society Information Webinar – 5 April

Posted by & filed under MS Society Local Branch.

Who is this event for?

  • People who are newly diagnosed with MS.
  • Family or friends of those who have been newly diagnosed with MS

The programme

In the webinar and the following week’s conversational group, they’ll help you to start making sense of your diagnosis. They will provide you with the information and signposting to further support and guidance that you may need. The MS society hope through these sessions that they will empower you to live well with MS. These sessions are for you if:

  • You’re looking for ways to make sense of your diagnosis
  • You don’t know what information and support is available to you

Date: Wednesday 5 April

Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm

This session is organised by the national MS charity, the MS Society. You can find out more about them by visiting their website at www.mssociety.org.uk

Click here to book now

Another fantastic Quiz night!

Posted by & filed under Fundraising.


The quiz night took place on Friday and was a great success.  We were at maximum capacity with 115 people, 19 teams.  We had some irish dancers from the O’Gara /O’Shea school of Irish Dance, perform for us as well.  We raised a total of £1939 which is fantastic.  Some photos of the evening are attached.

Update to Physio leaving

Posted by & filed under Centre News.


Update to Physio leaving – luckily for us Tricia has decided to offer her services on an ad hoc basis.  This will probably be on Friday afternoons.  There will not be any fixed appointments as such.  Contact the centre if you would like a Friday afternoon appointment as some point and we will make a note to ring you when we have any dates.  Good news for us, please make use of our Physio or we may loose her for good.

Talks with MS: Brain Health and MS, MS Society webinar – 29 March

Posted by & filed under MS Society Local Branch.

Talks with MS are proud to host this webinar in partnership with the MS Society to discuss different aspects of MS in the Black community. This month they will be discussing the topic of brain health.

Join Terri-Louise as she talks to a healthcare professional about brain health when living with MS. They’ll be covering brain function and struggles you may face due to your MS.  Whether you have MS or affected by MS, you can join this webinar.

Date: Wednesday 29 March

Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm

This session is organised by the national MS charity, the MS Society. You can find out more about them by visiting their website at www.mssociety.org.uk

Click here to book now

Enable Magazine March-April

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Presenting Enable Magazine
March-April issue

The UK’s leading disability and lifestyle title

Introducing the March-April issue of Enable Magazine.
We’re so excited to share this issue with you and your network.

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As usual, this issue is packed with informative, important and exciting content. We catch up with broadcaster Nicky Campbell and his daughter Kirsty to discuss them both having an ADHD diagnosis but with differing experiences. This issue, we’re putting the spotlight on the fight for disabled people’s rights as we speak to people celebrating World Down syndrome Day; discuss the new demands for global action on care; and highlight Sophie Morgan’s new campaign, Rights on Flights. 

Also inside, Women’s Aid and Refuge reveal where to turn if you are experiencing abuse; we share solutions to help you get a good night’s sleep; and we’re breaking down how certain benefits are changing in the new tax year. Plus, we meet the founder of pill case brand Tabuu, Lucy Rout, and learn what to expect from the upcoming National Careers Week. Enjoy all of this and much more inside the March-April issue. 

Enjoy all of this and much more inside the March-April issue.