Introduction to Creative Writing – MS Society Webinar: 17 January 2023

Posted by & filed under MS Society Local Branch.

There are lots of reasons people enjoy creative writing; it can give you a safe space to express yourself and there is evidence that it can help people both physically and emotionally, by reducing stress and anxiety. Why not come along and see for yourself just what is involved in creative writing, try something new, you never know it may be your new thing for 2023! No experience is necessary. The session will be lead by novelist Carolyn Lewis.

Date: Tuesday 17 January 2023

Time: 6.30pm to 8pm

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

Book now by clicking here

Christmas Lunch

Posted by & filed under Centre News.


23 attended the Christmas Lunch on Wednesday (14th), and thoroughly enjoyed a lovely meal at the Applecart (Premier Inn) on Milton Interchange.  

Opening Hours for Christmas

Posted by & filed under Centre News.

Opening Hours for Christmas are as follows:

Open as usual until Friday 23rd.  

26th , 27th closed

Wednesday 28th open for massage 9-5

Thursday 29th open for osteopathy 9-12 and Oxygen at 10am

Friday 30th open for massage 9-5 and Oxygen at 10am.

Open as usual from Monday 2nd January

Sue will be on annual leave during this time and there will not be anyone covering reception.  DO NOT CANCEL APPOINTMENTS BY EMAIL, LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THE ANSWERPHONE.

Wishing all our members a great christmas and a happy new year.

MS Community Survey

Posted by & filed under MS News.

A survey is currently being conducted by three professors including Gavin Giovanni
at Plymouth University.
We would be really grateful if you would complete this 3-minute survey gathering
opinions of the MS community.
The survey relates to opportunities for MS development.
The purpose of this survey, which is being distributed widely, is to establish whether
there is consensus within the community on a range of topics across the MS
landscape.
To access the survey please use this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVyZUuLWxfgFSmtazb8oMSi0VJkRz-IkGTQ7VVFpNiZ2HdwA/viewform

MS-UK Online

Posted by & filed under MS News.

Level one (11-11:30am) will focus on exercises in seated, for those with trunk
(core) weakness and limited upper limb movement
Level two (11:45am – 12:15pm) for those who can transfer independently but
may require assistance or the use of a walking aid
Level three (12:30 – 1pm) for those who mobilise independently with minimal
impairment
Level one (11:15am – 12pm) exercises from a seated position
Level two (12:15pm – 1pm) exercises from both a seated and standing position,
using the chair for stability
Level one (11:30am – 12pm) – Seated
Level two – (12:15pm – 12.45pm) – Supported standing
MS-UK Online offers a range of activities for people affected by MS to be more
active and stay connected. We provide weekly exercise, chair yoga and Pilates
classes, with different levels offering a variety of accessibility. In addition, we host
monthly information sessions and workshops, regular courses on mindfulness and
poetry, plus our peer support service.
Each activity has a suggested donation amount of £5, but people can attend
from as little of £1. Our peer support service is free to attend.
Exercise classes (Tuesdays and Thursdays) ms-uk.org/ms-uk-online-exercise/
Chair yoga (Wednesdays) ms-uk.org/chair-yoga-sessions/
Plates (Fridays) ms-uk.org/pilates-workshop/
Each month we host information sessions and workshops on MS topics such as
fatigue management, spasticity, neuroplasticity, cognition, working rights and MS
and pregnancy. To see what these sessions offer, please find the links to the
recordings of our neuroplasticity information session by Dr Gretchen Hawley here
and our workshop on cognition presented by Dr Dawn Landon here.

Our courses include the four and eight-week mindfulness courses (msuk.org/mindfulness-courses/) and our eight-week poetry writing course (msuk.org/poetry-course/).
The peer support service includes our peer pods, which are informal and a safe
space for people with MS to come together to share experiences and simply chat.
Please visit our page to see the list of the pods we host here and be sure to watch
the video from Amanda, who describes what the pods are all about.
If you would like to get involved or like to know more about our online activities,
please contact register@ms-uk.org or call 01206 226500. Please visit our Eventbrite
page where our latest activities are listed and you can follow-us to get alerts when
new sessions are added.


Bladder and bowel – Management strategies and exercise – MS-UK online webinar, Mon 19 Dec

Posted by & filed under MS Society Local Branch.

This final information session of 2022 with Dr Gretchen Hawley will focus on bladder and bowel and the physiotherapy approaches that can be used in the management of issues associated, including exercises for stretching and strengthening the pelvic floor.

The session will be discussing the terms of incontinence, urgency, frequency and retention and how these are all related to the issues of bladder and bowel problems.

Along with discussing the physiotherapy interventions she will also discuss the ‘non-physiotherapy’ management guidelines to provide a holistic overview to the other options available.

Date: Monday 19 December

Time: 2pm to 3pm

Click here to book your space

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

How to cope with Christmas stress and MS

Posted by & filed under MS Society Local Branch.

Christmas is often pictured as a time of joy and happiness. But it also brings a lot of stress and is usually very busy. When you have MS, it can affect your daily life and symptoms.

Helena, from the MS Trust Information and Engagement team, explores some ideas on how to reduce Christmas stress.

Read the MS Trust article here

The MS Society have also featured various blogs about managing Christmas alongside MS

Read the MS Society blogs here

If you have any further suggestions please let us know and we will share them.

Love to Move movement through dance introduction workshop – MS-UK webinar, Wed 14 Dec

Posted by & filed under MS Society Local Branch.

MS-UK welcome Bridget Poulter who is a ‘Love to Move’ dance instructor and will be providing the opportunity to understand the benefits of movement through dance in this introduction session online.

Date: Wednesday 14 December

Time: 2pm to 3pm

The British Gymnastic Foundation (BGF) devised Love to Move based on Japanese research on the benefits of ‘bi-lateral asymmetric’ exercises with dementia. After this initial work the programme has been expanded to develop classes specifically for people with MS. Love to Move combines a unique mix of physical and mental exercises stimulating memory, imagination, and parts of the brain other activities may not reach.

Love to Move is suitable for those to take part in standing and seated positions. The class will be mostly seated with options to move lower limbs, improve hand coordination, and strengthen the all-important core muscles. Bridget will use a mix of directive exercises that challenge not only the body, but the brain with memory games as well as more improvised movement and rhythmic explorations. The best thing is to come and try it yourself!

How to take part

Click here to book this session

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

MS and Driving webinar: MS Society – 28 November

Posted by & filed under MS Society Local Branch.

Join this online session with Dr. Anuraj Varshney, Programme Lead for Driving Assessment and Outdoor Mobility Education Programme. Dr. Varshney leads an ever-expanding service providing specialist clinical input and skills, he has 32 years’ experience working with patients with various physical and neurological conditions.

He will discuss the medical fitness to drive assessment and how mobility centres across the UK can assist those living with MS who may be worried about their driving. He will talk about what information you can access at Drive Mobility centers along with their exciting new project on Mobility Hubs.

Date: Monday 28 November

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

Book now by clicking here