Chilterns Neuro Centre

July 2023

The Chilterns MS Centre in Wendover has rebranded as the Chilterns Neuro Centre to reflect the opening up of the charity’s support services to people with neurological conditions other than multiple sclerosis. It now includes those with Parkinson’s as well as stroke survivors.

The Chilterns Neuro Centre is a local charity in Wendover, which has been supporting people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) since 1985. A pilot programme to open up its services to people with Parkinson’s and stroke survivors began in 2022. In 2023 this arrangement was made permanent and the charity rebranded as the Chilterns Neuro Centre.

Since it opened, thousands of people with MS in the Chilterns and the surrounding area have been supported by the Centre, receiving a wide range of services including physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, oxygen therapy, acupuncture, pilates, social leisure groups plus many more. Last year, the Centre began a pilot programme to open up these services to a wider group of people and now almost ten per cent of the over 650 members have Parkinson’s or are stroke survivors.

“We are really excited about what this rebrand represents,” said Richard Parkin, CEO of the Chilterns Neuro Centre. “Being able to open up the support we offer to so many more people, helping them to live life to the full, is an incredible opportunity.”

“This rebrand is about making the Centre more inclusive to those we support,” said Karen Cross, Trustee at the Chilterns Neuro Centre who led the project. “We want all our members to feel welcome so by changing our name we will make them feel like they are part of the Centre.”

“The Centre is a place where people can go and join in activities and socialise in a safe and friendly environment,” said Kevin Towler, one of the new Parkinson’s members supported by the Centre. “I have been using it for over a year and have found it very helpful. For me, the main thing is I am doing something positive and in control of my Parkinson’s. I use many of the services and the staff, volunteers and therapists are all very friendly and welcoming.”

If anyone is affected by MS, Parkinson’s or is a stroke survivor and feel feels they would benefit from the services offered by the Chilterns Neuro Centre then get in touch by phoning 01296 696133 or by email.

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The Chilterns MS Centre has formed a new partnership with Harpers Estate Agent in Wendover to help improve the lives of people in the local community with MS and Parkinson’s Disease.

The formation of the partnership lead to Harpers donating at least £100 to the Wendover-based charity for every instruction they received from September to December 2022 at their Wendover office, rising to £200 if the person mentioned the Chilterns MS Centre.

 The partnership is also about awareness raising and helping to promote the Centre across the community so that many more people can benefit from the treatments and services it has to offer, services that are free of charge but go beyond what the NHS can offer.

 “This is a really exciting partnership for the Chilterns MS Centre, not just for the valuable fundraising opportunity,” said Stella Kubale, Head of Fundraising at the Chilterns MS Centre. “It will also help get our name and our services more widely known in the local community and could lead to us supporting more people.”