Archives: Timeline Stories

Due to the success of the pilot programme, the support provided to people with Parkinson’s and stroke survivors was made permanent. In July, the Centre rebranded to become the Chilterns Neuro Centre.

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 hydrotherapy pool reopened in May after a 9-month complete refurbishment programme. We are all looking forward to fully re-opening and resuming the wide range of therapy and support for people with MS.  Some of the things that we adopted during the pandemic will be continued, including online appointments and streamed exercise classes.

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...

We won the “Centres’ Centre” award from the Multiple Sclerosis National Therapy Centres (MSNTC).  The Nutrition Team won the QuDos in MS Award for ‘Team of the Year’.

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 celebrated its 30th anniversary.  It was an opportunity to reflect on humble beginnings, celebrate achievements and look forward to meeting the needs of the growing MS community. Our flagship awareness and fundraising event was born.  Walk the MS Mile saw Chair of Trustees Linda Oatley and Centre member Sarah McCready walk and wheel...

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...

The new double oxygen chamber was commissioned meaning more people could benefit from the treatment each week.  The Countess of Wessex came to visit the Centre and presented awards to three long-serving volunteers.

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

The Centre was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services – the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities.

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...