Creativity for a cause: Charity art exhibition brings community together

The Chilterns Neuro Centre is celebrating the success of its vibrant Pop-Up Art Weekend, which welcomed over 1,000 visitors and raised over £23,000 to support people in the local community affected by MS, Parkinson’s and strokes.

Held in partnership with the Clare Foundation, the special weekend, which is celebrating its 21st year, brought together an inspiring collection of talented artists, art lovers, supporters and volunteers for a memorable community event filled with creativity and generosity.

Visitors had the chance to explore and purchase a wide range of artworks from an incredible group of artists who generously contributed at least a third of the sale from each piece of artwork sold to support the Centre’s vital services. 

The event created a lively and welcoming atmosphere while helping raise essential funds for the charity.

The Chilterns Neuro Centre would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Clare Foundation for partnering on this much-loved event. Their support and collaboration played a key role in making the weekend such a success.

Special thanks also go to the many talented artists who shared their creativity, the dedicated volunteers who generously gave their time to help run the event and the hundreds of visitors whose enthusiasm and support made the weekend so special.

“We are absolutely delighted by the success of the Pop-Up Art Weekend,” Hannah Fleming, Community and Events Manager at the Chilterns Neuro Centre” told That's Health.

"To welcome more than 1,000 visitors and raise over £23,000 is an incredible achievement. Events like this not only raise vital funds for our services but also bring the community together in a truly uplifting way.”

“It was a pleasure to partner with the Chilterns Neuro Centre for this fantastic event,” said Robin Walker, Chair of Trustees at the Clare Foundation. 

“The Pop-Up Art Weekend showcased not only exceptional artistic talent but also the power of community collaboration. We are proud to support the Centre and the invaluable work they do for people living with neurological conditions.”

Funds raised from the weekend will help the Chilterns Neuro Centre continue providing a wide range of treatments and services to people in the community affected by MS, Parkinson’s and strokes, empowering them to live life to the full.

https://www.chilternsneurocentre.org

New survey highlights life-changing impact of Chilterns Neuro Centre support

A new survey of members at the Chilterns Neuro Centre has highlighted the vital and often life-changing difference the charity makes to people affected by neurological conditions in the local community.

Almost 300 members took part in the Centre’s annual membership survey, representing just under a third of its total membership. An overwhelming 99% of respondents said they would recommend the Centre to someone with a neurological condition or their carer, with the vast majority saying they would be extremely likely to do so.

The Chilterns Neuro Centre is a Wendover-based charity providing a wide range of treatments and services to people affected by MS, Parkinson’s and strokes, as well as their families, empowering them to live life to the full. Other than a £35 annual membership fee, all these services are provided free of charge. 

However, as a charity, the Centre relies heavily on the generosity of individuals and organisations within the community to help maintain its vital services.

Importantly, 95 percent of respondents stated that the Centre provides services they cannot access anywhere else, reinforcing its distinctive role in filling gaps in statutory health and social care provision.

The survey findings shows the Centre’s specialist services play a absolutely vital role in helping people manage the long-term impact of conditions such as MS, Parkinson’s and stroke. Exercise classes, one-to-one physiotherapy and courses and workshops were the most frequently accessed services, underlining the importance of ongoing, specialist physical support for people living with these conditions.

Members also reported significant benefits to their health and wellbeing. Almost nine in ten said the treatment and support they receive helps improve their physical health always or most of the time, while a similar proportion said it improves their mental health and helps them manage their symptoms. More than four in five said the Centre helps them maintain their independence in daily activities, and three quarters said it increases social contact and helps reduce loneliness.

The survey also highlights the compassion and professionalism of the Centre’s staff, with 88 percent of respondents rating staff support and friendliness as excellent and a further 11% rating it as good.

Members’ comments vividly capture the difference the Centre makes. One described it simply as “my lifeline”, while another said: “After my diagnosis I felt very isolated and alone, but the Centre has given me hope again.” Others spoke of feeling understood, supported and part of a community where their condition does not need to be explained.

“These results show just how essential the Centre is to so many people living with neurological conditions and their families,” Richard Parkin, Chief Executive of the Chilterns Neuro Centre, told That's Health.

“We are incredibly proud of the impact our staff, volunteers and supporters make every day, providing specialist support, friendship and hope in a safe and welcoming environment.”

If you or someone you know has MS, Parkinson’s, or has experienced a stroke, the Chilterns Neuro Centre can help. Call 01296 696133 to learn more about their services and how to get involved.

New out-of-hours service to support working people with neuro conditions

The Chilterns Neuro Centre has just launched its new out-of-hours service to better support the needs of people with MS, Parkinson’s and stroke survivors who are in work but may still require the support the Centre offers.

Exercise is good for you, as everyone knows, but for people with neurological conditions it can help to manage the complexities of the condition. Physical activity can improve muscle function, aerobic fitness, mobility and quality of life. Studies have even shown that intense work-outs can also help with fatigue and cognition, two widely reported symptoms affecting people with neurological conditions.

A diagnosis of MS or Parkinson’s, or even a stroke can occur when people are still within working age. In fact, for people with MS, diagnosis often occurs when they are still in their thirties and for Parkinson’s patients many people are in their 50s and 60s. 

The out-of-hours classes are designed to accommodate the busy schedules of these working people, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to prioritise their health and wellbeing.

“Our vision at the Centre is to help people with neurological conditions to live life to the full and for many of our members that means staying in work,” said Jody Barber, Head of Integrated Clinical Services at the Chilterns Neuro Centre. “We want to do what we can for all people affected by MS, Parkinson’s and strokes so our new out-of-hours service is another step towards achieving that.”

"Exercise helps maintain independence, strength and function for people with neuro conditions,” said Joe Harman, Exercise Lead and Musculoskeletal Therapist at the Centre. It helps our members to positively manage and cope with the progression of their condition."

Initially the out-of-hours services includes classes that can be accessed live online before or after the working day, although the Centre will keep this under review and could expand further depending on demand.

If you have MS, Parkinson’s or experienced a stroke and feel you would benefit from the services offered by the Centre, or you know someone who would then please get in touch by phoning 01296 696133 or by emailing info@chilternsneurocentre.org.