About the MS Therapy Centre
How we started
Back in 1983 a group of people with Multiple Sclerosis decided they wanted to provide help, support and therapy for others with MS in Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.
At that time, Oxygen Therapy was the treatment being sought by people with MS. This was not available on the NHS so funds were raised to provide it ourselves.
We now have over 1,000 members with approximately 350 attending each week.
All therapies provided are free to people with MS, but we ask for a donation towards the running costs of the Centre.
There are many ways for you to help us raise the £1,400 a day that we need to run the Centre.
Providing professional specialist therapies and support to people living with MS, their carers, friends and families, throughout their illness, in a friendly, self-help environment
See how we will achieve our strategic imperatives for the current 5 year period 2024 - 2029
Better outcomes for our service users
Better outcomes for more people
Financial viability
Enhanced facilities to meet our needs
Increased stakeholder engagement
Thank you
Thank you to our fundraisers
We couldn’t do any of our good work without the help of so many people who help us financially and practically. Visit our Thank You page to read more.
Thank you to the Trusts and Foundations
We are very grateful for the support of several Trusts and Foundations. Please see our Trusts and Foundations page.
Our facilities
Modern facilities
Our facilities include two Baro chambers (for oxygen therapy), a large physio room, specialist gym and a hydrotherapy pool.
Minibus
Our adapted minibus brings people in to the Centre from towns in Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire each day of the week.
Our social area
We now have a social room for members to enjoy a catch up with other members who are coming in for therapies. We have tea making facilities and a lovely new coffee machine.
Gardens and free parking
We have created a number of outdoor areas and gardens that are accessible to all.
There is also plenty of free parking, with wide bays
Fully accessible
The MS Therapy Centre is fully accessible, with therapies taking place on the ground floor where there are two fully accessible toilets.
How will it help me?
Who can use the Centre?
Anyone with MS living in Bedfordshire or Northamptonshire is welcome to use the facilities at the Centre. The person with MS may phone the Centre directly, or they may be referred by their Neurologist, Doctor, Social Worker or friend.
The first visit involves a consultation with a member of the team to explain the various therapies and services available, followed by a tour of the Centre. An assessment is then carried out one of our physiotherapists who will help you to identify the therapies that will help you holistically manage your condition.
We provide a complete service under one roof that encourages people with MS to make the best of their lives. It is shown that regular therapy can help to maintain or improve the condition.
Our integrated approach, with core therapies and complementary therapies being provided under one roof, allows people to dip in and out of each therapy as required.
Providing services for no direct cost enables people to have regular therapy, who may not receive it otherwise, maybe due to lack of provision or lack of accessible facilities.
Policies to protect you
Our award-winning team
Over the past few years we have been proud to receive several awards.
All of our policies are available in a folder in reception.
Safeguarding – Read our safeguarding policy.
Fire safety – Read our Fire Evacuation Plan for members and visitors to the Centre
See our floor plan which shows fire exits, the fire alarm call point and fire extinguishers.
Our Patrons
We are very proud and grateful to our Patrons for their time and the much-needed support they provide.
Our Patrons:
Helen Nellis MA (Barrister) CVO CStJ
Roger Jefcoate CBE DL
Prof Alastair Compston CBE FMedSci FRS
Our support team
Some of the volunteers who provide additional services at the Centre.
Our Team:
Oxygen Therapy – various committed volunteers
Clothing shop – Val and team
The Emporium – Rita Lewis and Rose Beal
Our Trustees
We are a registered charity and so our board of Trustees meets to manage the welfare, regulatory and development needs of the Centre.
Our Trustees are: Kay Taylor (Chair), Melanie Hawman (Secretary), Kevin Traynor (Treasurer), Laurence Culhane (Vice Chair), Sue Napper, Alex Scott, Jean-Pierre Brown, Liz Toogood, Maggie Marshall, Huseyin Huseyin.
Our Trustees
Liz Toogood
I have lived in Bedford since 1987 and have been coming to the Centre since 2007. I am very proud and privileged to be a trustee. I have the equivalent of an MBA and have worked in the business world ever since graduating so am accustomed to the information we see and the types of decisions we need to make about the Centre’s future. I continue to work as a business mentor. I am also a Deputy Lieutenant which gives me opportunities to meet many different types of people and other charities throughout the county and hear their good ideas.
Kay Taylor (Chair)
I have been a trustee at the MS Therapy Centre for a number of years now, and am currently chair of trustees. I also use the services at the Centre, and know how lucky we are to have such a resource in Bedford. I lectured in human genetics at University College London until retiring due to my ill health. I gain further experience about charity governance by acting as a trustee at The Disability Resource Centre.
Luke Hopkins
Luke Hopkins brings invaluable lived experience with MS, having witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by their mother, whose mobility has significantly declined over the past five years. This personal connection drives Luke's passion for spreading awareness about MS, the everyday challenges the environment around us can bring and advocating for those affected by the disease.
Professionally, Luke leads a team of customer success specialists across Europe for a global technology company, demonstrating corporate and commercial leadership and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Furthermore, Luke actively participates in their company's Employee Resource Group initiatives, promoting diversity and awareness within the organization.
Huseyin Huseyin (Medical Advisor)
I have recently joined the trustees at the MS Therapy Centre. As a MS Advanced Nurse Practitioner & Clinical Operational Lead at Luton And Dunstable Hospital, I often direct patients to use the facilities in Bedford as I know that they work hard to improve the symptom management of people living with MS.
Jean-Pierre (JP) Brown.
My working background is in Telecommunications and Networks. I was diagnosed with MS in 1982 and started coming to the Centre in 2010. I became a trustee in 2015 as I wanted to give something back to this amazing facility for all the help and support it has given me.
Kevin Traynor, Treasurer
I finished paid employment in 2021 having worked in finance and accounting for more than 50 years with the final ten years specialising in charity accounting.
When I read about the treasurer role here at Bedford, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to give something back to a deserving community. I am very pleased to have been appointed.
I joined a very hard-working team of volunteers and staff and have been quickly swept along with their enthusiasm, determination and enterprise. I hope that I too can contribute to a long and successful future for the MS Therapy Centre.
Susan Napper
I have been a trustee of the MS Therapy Centre since the very beginning, and have seen it change and develop over the years. My working experience is in Accounts and Treasury at Texas instruments and then latterly as a GP practice manager. I have seen first hand the effects that MS has on people, and am pleased to be involved with the Centre and support all its fundraising events and activities.
Maggie Marshall
I have been a user of the MS Therapy Centre for many years, and have been active in raising funds. I am particularly interested in presenting views from the Centre users to the trustees.
Melanie Hawman, Secretary
I am an experienced business and charity CEO with a history of working in civic and social organisations. For the last 12 years I have concentrated on working in Health and Social Care.
Currently I ensure that the vision and values of the Disability Resource Centre are lived and aligned with the Charity’s purpose.
As a person with lived experience of acquired disability, I understand the need for personal and professional change and am a qualified coach and counsellor.
I first visited the MS Therapy Centre many years ago with a client who had been diagnosed with MS. I was blown away by the therapeutic feel of the Centre, the people who worked ther and the Centre users.
When a chance to become a trustee arose, I jumped at the chance to be a small part of this wonderful charity. I love volunteering in such a special place.
Reports from our latest Annual General Meeting
Thank you to all who attended our AGM this year. Please find below information on finances and plans for the future.
A bit more about us…
We are a self-help organisation, run by people with MS for people with MS.
The organisation was set up by a group of people with MS and has continued in this way. The Management Committee (Trustees) consists of 10 people who either have MS, are carers or are close friends of people with MS, or have professional experience. These people can use their personal experience when making decisions about the Centre.
We have at least 40 volunteers working at the Centre weekly, a number of these have MS themselves. They play a huge part in the running of the Centre on a day-to-day basis and we would not be able to operate without them. More volunteers are always very welcome.
We continually monitor the services and care provided at the Centre by undertaking regular questionnaires or audits asking members if they are happy with the services provided.