A celebratory coffee morning was held in Daventry to officially launch a new MD Support Centre clinic for people with muscular dystrophy.
Following the success of a pilot scheme at Reach for Health in the town, the satellite clinic will now double its provision to provide weekly physiotherapy sessions.
Staff and service users were invited to a coffee morning to find out more and enjoyed a sociable morning and cake to mark the occasion.
Sarah Ann Moore, Chief Executive of MD Support Centre, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people join us for the official opening of our satellite clinic in Daventry.
“We are now looking forward to running therapy sessions on a more regular basis at Reach for Health to benefit even more people with muscular dystrophy.”
Dan Miller, Centre Manager at Reach for Health, welcomed the opportunity for the two organisations to work in partnership and said: “It’s a passion of mine to see both charities grow together because by sharing our resources we’ll be able to reach more people, who really do appreciate and need the services that we offer.”
MD Support Centre is one of only two charities nationwide providing lifelong physical therapies to help adults with progressive muscle-wasting conditions maintain their wellbeing, independence and optimum mobility.
Those using the new Daventry clinic include people from the town and as far afield as the Cambridgeshire fens and home counties, including Buckinghamshire.
Among those to benefit is grandmother Pam Skingle, of Milton Keynes, who has FSH muscular dystrophy, affecting the muscles of the face, shoulders and arms, abdominal muscles and upper legs.
Pam had been attending MD Support Centre in Coventry and is delighted to now have a clinic closer to home. The retired nursery nurse, aged 74, said: “The sessions make me feel more comfortable and help to improve my posture, and I’m walking much more. The physiotherapists help you to understand your body and what you can and can’t do and it gives you the confidence to keep moving. Their specialist knowledge means you are able to work with people who really understand your condition.”
Clare Berry, who has Mytonic Dystrophy Type 2, which is characterised by muscle weakness, stiffness and pain, started attending the MD Support Centre sessions in Daventry after initially joining the accessible gym at Reach for Health.
“I’ve been having regular physiotherapy ever since and I walk out feeling like a new woman. It’s been amazing,” said Clare, who also now volunteers at Reach for Health. “The physios are brilliant and the sessions help me to move more and relieve the pain. I live in Weedon so having this satellite clinic is fantastic for me because it’s much closer than MD Support Centre in Coventry.”
Reach for Health at Stefen Hill Ground on Western Avenue is dedicated to mental and physical health and rehabilitation. Learn more at www.reachforhealth.co.uk or for further information about MD Support Centre and its services for people with muscular dystrophy visit www.mdsupportcentre.org