Renowned theatre director Michael Attenborough visited the Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre in Coventry this week after presenting Chair of Trustees Ruth Hereford with a national award recognising her contribution to the muscle wasting community. Accompanied by his wife, actor and author Karen Lewis-Attenborough, he spoke with service users, observed therapy sessions, and learned more about our specialist therapies.

National Recognition Leads to Coventry Visit

The visit came shortly after our Chair of Trustees, Ruth Hereford, received the Richard Attenborough Award for Outstanding Achievement at the Muscular Dystrophy UK Stronger Together Awards. The award, presented earlier this year, honoured Ruth’s commitment to supporting people living with muscular dystrophy and growing specialist support services through the charity.

During their visit, Michael and Karen met staff and service users, hearing firsthand about the therapies, exercise programmes and wellbeing support we provide.

They observed physiotherapy and osteopathy sessions, heard about our aquatic exercise classes and hand therapy service, and spoke directly with service users about the difference ongoing specialist support can make in helping people maintain mobility, independence and quality of life.

“Like Coming Home”

One of the most meaningful moments of the visit came as several service users described attending the Centre as “like coming home”. Michael reflected on the importance of creating a welcoming environment and strong sense of community for people living with long-term conditions.

Michael Attenborough, son of actress Sheila Sim and actor-director Richard Attenborough and nephew of broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough, presented Ruth with the award during the national ceremony celebrating outstanding contributions within the muscle wasting community.

Ruth Hereford said: “To be nominated for the Richard Attenborough Award for Outstanding Achievement was already an incredible honour, so to then receive the award from Michael Attenborough himself, in honour of his father, made it even more special.

“It was a real privilege to welcome Michael and Karen to the Centre and show them firsthand the work that takes place here every day. It was an honour and pleasure to introduce them to some of our team and service users and show them what we do in-person. Seeing them spend time talking with service users, meeting staff and learning more about the therapies and support we provide meant a great deal to all of us. We’re looking forward to future visits to meet more of our service users and team.

“To hear people describe the Centre as ‘like coming home’ perfectly captures what we have always hoped to create, not just specialist therapies, but a welcoming and supportive community where people feel understood, valued and connected.”

Another highlight in incredible year

Zoe Richardson, CEO of the Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre, said: “It has been an incredible year for the charity, with recognition both nationally and locally, but what matters most is ensuring people living with muscular dystrophy can access the ongoing specialist support they need.

“Visits like this help shine a light on the importance of specialist therapies and the difference they can make to people’s independence, wellbeing and quality of life.”

Michael Attenborough said: “Our visit was an even more remarkable eye opener than I had anticipated. It was both shocking and inspiring to see firsthand the impact the Centre has on people’s lives and the extraordinary sense of community that has been created here.

“What struck me most during the visit was hearing several people describe the Centre as ‘like coming home’. That says so much about the welcome, support and belonging Ruth, Zoe and the team have built for people living with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions.

“It is entirely fitting that Ruth Hereford has received an award in my father’s name. The determination and commitment behind the Centre are truly remarkable.”

The visit follows a period of growing recognition for the charity, which recently won Not-for-profit Champion of the Year at the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Awards.

Established in 2012, the Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre supports adults living with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions through specialist therapies, exercise, wellbeing support and community connection across Coventry, the Midlands and beyond.