The Charcot Therapy Centre, the Gloucestershire MS information and therapy centre, is holding an open week this week, culminating in a big open day on Saturday, July 2nd.

Centre manager Rachael Mason said: "After an internal review showed that while we do see many people with MS, our member base had many different conditions and people from all walks of life that we were helping so we decided to rebrand to be more inclusive.

"As a centre we have over 35 years helping and working with people in the Gloucestershire area living with long-term health conditions specialising in multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders.

"We are a self-referral, non-profit charity welcoming people living with neurological or long-term chronic illness and their carers as well as those with sports injuries or post operative recovery needs.

"We are having an open week culminating in a big open day on Saturday 2nd July to get the word out on who we are and how we can help, introducing our new therapies and services available for everyone to use."

The open week events start tomorrow (Tuesday) from 10am-2pm the centre is focusing on physical health and conditions with information on exercise therapies, massage, oxygen therapy, fitness classes, power assisted exercise suite and the support and information network available to our members.

On Wednesday, from 10am-2pm the focus is on mental health, showcasing the centre's talking therapy, CBT, mindfulness, meditation and hobby clubs, not to mention the huge social support system the lounge area brings.

On Thursday from 10am-2pm the focus will be on carers. Rachael added: "We have been lucky enough to receive support and funding to launch our Charcot Carers Project this year which will bring support and much-needed help to those who help others including specialised exercise classes, talking therapy and CBT, social and peer groups and first aid training alongside use of all our facilities at the centre."

The main open day takes place on Saturday 2nd July from 10am-2pm when the centre will showcase all these subjects with an opportunity to speak to some of the staff/volunteers and therapists, Simon from Gfitness who leads many of its exercise courses, Charcot's talk therapist Fiona Lord who also does CBT and CST, and there will also be a very special visit from Rachel Peglar author of The Biscuits books and long time member and support of the centre doing a book signing on the day.

To contact the Charcot Therapy Centre at 71-75 Frampton Road, Gloucester, call 01452 419246 or visit thecharcot.org.uk