The Centre launched a pilot programme with a view to opening up its treatments and services to people with neurological conditions other than multiple sclerosis. The pilot begun with Parkinson’s and later included stroke survivors.

The Centre had grown to support 563 members with MS and 51 carer members. The world changed with the Covid-19 pandemic.  Many of our members had to shield due to their health and for the first time ever the Centre closed its doors.  The team rallied round and embraced all things digital in order to still keep people with MS motivated, active and help them feel less isolated and, for the first time ever we ran online exercise classes and appointments. In September the Centre re-opened to a smaller number of people for physiotherapy and oxygen.

Oakwood Wellbeing Limited (OWL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Chilterns MS Centre, was set up to generate income for the Centre, mainly through facilities hire and specialist treatments. It continues to operate on a commercial basis and all profits are gifted free of tax to the Centre.

The charity’s first hydrotherapy pool welcomed its first MS users. The Centre provided physio, oxygen, hydro, occupational and complementary therapies (including reflexology, acupuncture, reiki, yoga and Pilates), massage, orthotics, speech therapy, mindfulness, podiatry, an MS information service and a Carers’ Support Group.  There were also a number of clinics: lymphoedema, wheelchair and seating, gait analysis and falls prevention. The Centre delivered 15,868 treatments.  70% of the Centre’s workforce was voluntary with 100 people per week working on reception, in the café, in oxygen and supporting the fundraising team.

After raising £1.7million, the charity moved into the purpose-built 1,300m2 building on the Princess Mary Gate Estate, Wendover.

Membership of the Centre increased to 400. People with MS benefit from physiotherapy, oxygen and occupational therapies, manual lymphatic drainage, reflexology, wheelchair training and nutritional advice, Pilates, gait analysis, acupuncture, podiatry, orthotics, benefits advice, a carers’ group and access to an MS specialist nurse. The Centre delivered 15,170 appointments and by then cost £500,000 a year to run. In September, then patron Sir David Jason broke the ground at the new site and the building of our state-of-the-art Centre commenced.

The Ministry of Defence decided to sell the land on which the Centre is sited. Negotiations began for a purpose-built facility. The Centre was given reassurance that whoever bought the land would be obliged to replace the Centre, like for like.

The Centre is extended to provide more treatment space and is renamed the Chilterns MS Centre.  Physiotherapy increased to four days per week.   Oxygen treatment became available to other conditions including children with cerebral palsy, people with oral cancers and ME.  New treatments included reflexology, manual lymphatic drainage, gait analysis, wheelchair training and nutritional advice.  Many of these still continue today. Links were developed with local NHS services to facilitate signposting and onward referral.  The Centre becomes a one-stop-shop for treatments.

The Centre had more than 60 users and provided 3,675 oxygen therapy or physiotherapy appointments per year at a cost of £25,000.

Leslie realised there was nothing for people with MS near to him and so he held a meeting with a view to opening an MS Centre locally. Thirty people attended, including people who remained Centre members for many years. They all agree that an oxygen chamber would be a great asset for people with MS in the local area.  Funds were raised by people with MS through bring and buy sales, raffles, street collections and coffee mornings.   ARMS also donated some money.