Our awards
Nomination for MS Society Professional 2017
Our Physiotherapy and Gym team
The physiotherapy team at the Beds and Northants MS Therapy Centre go all out to provide positive, active, sensitive, expert and individualised neuro- physiotherapy to people with MS, day in, day out. They assess the person and provide hands-on physiotherapy, including specific treatments for pain, such as ultrasound and electro deep massage. They also use equipment such as trampolines, gym balls, standing frames, wobble boards and the hydro-therapy pool, and also run balance groups with games, competition and laughter. They are experts in MS and liaise with other professionals to get the best treatments and services for their patients. They often have to advocate very hard on their behalf to do so.
Many of the people who come to the neuro-physio service at the MS Therapy Centre have felt left behind and overlooked by the very strained services of the NHS, whose practitioners have to discharge their patients after a set time, or number of visits. To have access to a service that can offer physical therapy based on their individual needs, rather than the needs of the service, is a wonderful thing. Because the physiotherapy department is run by experienced neuro-physios, with the help of assistants, there is more a spirit of rehabilitation and pushing boundaries. The innovative way that the service is integrated, means that people with MS can flow between seeing the physiotherapist, spending time working on their fitness in the physio-supervised gym or hydro pool, or even book sessions with the ancient Japanese form of physiotherapy, Shiatsu.
So many people with MS in the counties of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire have benefitted and are benefitting from the generous and positive help of the physiotherapy team at this centre.
Read more about the MS Society Awards here
The Queen’s Nurse Award 2016
Emma Matthews received a Queen’s Nurse award for outstanding commitment and high standards of practice and patient care to people with MS. Emma works at the Centre one day per week. We are very lucky to have her.
Val Woods – Charity Champion 2015
Val Woods, manager of the MS Therapy Centre for 33 years, was invited by Richard Fuller MP to a special reception at No 10 Downing Street, hosted by Samantha Cameron.
Big Society
The Prime Minister’s Big Society Award to honour the work done by the Charity was presented at a reception at No. 10 Downing Street.
MS Trust MS Nurse of the Year 2013 – Miranda Olding
Miranda Olding is one of the MS nurses at the MS Therapy Centre. Our members think she is marvellous, and we are pleased that the MS Trust have recognised the valuable work that she does.
The Queen’s Award for Volunteers - 2009
The Queen’s award for Voluntary Service was given to the charity to honour the work of the Volunteers contribution to the Centre. This was followed up by a visit by Her Royal Highness Sophie, the Countess of Wessex.
We have 40-50 volunteers helping to run the Centre – more are always welcome!
The MS Society MS Professional of the Year 2016
Emma Matthews received a second award in 2016 – the MS Professional of the Year from the MS Society.
MS Society MS Professional of the Year 2013 – Val Woods
We are so proud that the MS Society recognised the work that Val Woods has put into the MS Therapy Centre since it was established in 1983.
