Merlin Messenger Your place for news and information Welcome to our new look died. The family, who have been extremely supportive to the charity since it opened, Merlin Messenger! chose to donate money from the funeral to the centre, requesting it be used for a specific This summer has been very busy at the centre. project. Our new Occupational Therapist Kath Smith and Exercise Trainer Helen Tite are making a real Centre Manager Loraine Long said, “When we difference to centre users complementing the were building the centre, one of the first people busy physiotherapy department. All our dedicated to welcome us was Ivor. I knew that we needed therapists show commitment, professionalism and to spend this money on a project which would the desire to help clients improve their quality reflect his warmth and would benefit all who of life. visited the centre” Paula our specialist Neurological Physiotherapist, For John the perfect thing to recreate was the is about to start her maternity leave and we wish Autumn / Winter Issue 08 beautiful Merlin icon. her and her partner Dave every happiness with the The finished result; a glistening and swirling forthcoming arrival of their little girl. sculpture in the striking brand colour of deep We welcome Melissa King who is covering Paula purple made from 80 feet of hand rolled iron. whilst she is on leave. Melissa is an experienced I think you will agree that it is an amazing grade 7 Neurological Physiotherapist who has piece of work and complements our beautiful moved down from Surrey to be with us. grounds perfectly. We are pleased to tell you that we are now able to offer oxygen therapy for those who are medically An image overhaul for unable to be in a pressurised environment. This is also helpful for those who have completed a trial Merlin MS Centre dive, but found the closed chamber claustrophobic. Over the past few months we Many other centres are finding this form of oxygen have finalised our new look and intake useful for helping with problems relating to name. To avoid confusion, and poor circulation. to demonstrate that we are now a service provider, rather The wet summer has had a real impact on than a fundraising project, we fundraising with a number of the annual shows chose a clear simple name; having to be cancelled. However, we are pleased to The Merlin MS Centre. After say that fundraising income is still up on previous much consideration the brand years. The unpredictable nature of the good old route chosen was a focus on the idea of PLACE and English summer means the fundraising team is what the centre means to the individual. always looking for ideas which are not weather dependant. If you have a great idea, please let us This link follows through all the new marketing know. Our community fundraiser, Sarah Snell, is material. You will notice we have kept the icon as very keen to establish groups of volunteers to run before, and our recognisable brand colour, but their own events in their local community. If you are added a few complementary colours to bring the able to help, please get in contact. brand to life. We would like to say a big thank you to the talents of Sophie Lund who has taken We hope that you will all support the events that some wonderful new photos of the centre. Sophie we have planned for the rest of the year. As you has just completed her degree in photography at all know all money raised goes straight back into University College Falmouth and has really helped providing therapy and support at the centre so your to bring the centre to life in a much more visually support really will make a difference. appealing way. Bradbury House, Hewas Water, Nr St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 7JF. Tel: 01726 885530 Email: [email protected] Website: www.merlinmscentre.org.uk Charity number: 1093691 New member of the The Merlin icon in 3D! Have you seen our new Merlin team sculpture? Debbie Emmett joins us as The installation was designed a part time administration and erected by local assistant. She lives in Blacksmith, John Christian Trewoon, near St. Austell and and paid for with money is really enjoying being part generously donated by the of the happy team at the Toms family who run the Merlin Centre. car dealership and garage She likes to play and listen opposite the centre. to music and loves to be out and about in the In 2009, Ivor Toms who Cornish countryside which she often captures in ran the family business for several years, sadly photography and paintings. Ways to integrate Fed up of falling? exercise into your Announcing changes daily routine Evidence suggests that tailored exercise in the Hyperbaric Oxygen programmes can improve postural stability (balance) and reduce other risk factors (HBO) department associated with falls. We are proving it here at 1 the centre on a weekly basis. The Multiple Sclerosis National Therapy Centres (MSNTC) has approved Sue Walkey Following the expansion of the therapy team as Senior Operator, with Ali Lochrie as No. we have been able to alter the way in which 1 Operator. Clive Gough will be covering we work with clients and the results speak for Technical Support, Health and Safety and themselves, happier clients and fewer falls. Transport. Clive is also in the process of Put teabags and mug We can’t cure MS but we can help clients to training to be an operator. in a high cupboard to make informed lifestyle choices to boost their encourage you to reach energy, strengthen their bodies and increase Janet Bright has recently qualified as a and stretch. Challenges their general fitness, thereby improving their volunteer No.2 Operator and is working balance too! wellbeing and positivity. towards her No.1 certificate. We also welcome new volunteer Martin Welton. Why is postural stability so important? With Paul Spencer and Dave Burrell both valued volunteer No.1 Operators, we have a 2 In those with MS, impairment in postural strong and dedicated HBO team. stability is one of the greatest deterrents to MSNTC have given the go ahead for us to offer mobility and the ability to carry out everyday a new method of oxygen treatment. This can tasks effectively with confidence. Balance can be offered to a wider circle of clients who, for be affected by: medical reasons and/or are claustrophobic, • reduced range of movement at the joints, cannot go into the chamber under pressure. especially at the ankles Oxygen can be administered via the mask Wipe surfaces with • weak back and leg muscles with the chamber door open and the client different hands at • spasticity/stiffness in the muscles sitting, relaxed. different times of the day • fatigue working both clockwise • sensory changes (vision, sensation picked up This does not have the same benefits as being and anticlockwise. through hands and feet, balance centre in under pressure, which allows the body to the brain). absorb more oxygen into the bloodstream, It’s the possible combination of all these but breathing though a mask means clients 3 factors that makes managing postural are still able to inhale 100% Oxygen. stability in MS so challenging. We are still taking clients with sports injuries. Matt Drummond, who plays football for How can we help you? Falmouth Town, is currently using oxygen after fracturing his ankle. Matt learnt about Our team of physiotherapist, exercise the oxygen department after a tour of the If it’s safe for you to therapist and occupational therapist centre. We will be following Matt’s progress bend and squat. work together providing a service to meet with interest. We have tried to make the Try putting things you individual needs. All three specialist therapists transition within the department as smooth use regularly on a low will work in different ways to develop postural as possible and we would like to take this shelf in the fridge. stability and strength, and help improve a opportunity to thank everyone for their client’s ability to move in and around different patience and understanding during this positions. Achieving these positions and unsettled period. 4 improving strength and fitness will take time, but we will help motivate you to achieve your goals, maximise function, and gain confidence Farewell to Judi through fitness, exercise and symptom It is with sadness that we management. are to say farewell to Judi Hawkey, who with her Keep the TV remote at How can we do this? partner John is starting a a stretched arm reach new life in Portugal. away. • 1-2-1 sessions with physiotherapy, exercise therapy or occupational therapy. An active supporter • Helen and Becs from The Core are two of of Merlin since its 5 Cornwall’s most qualified Postural Stability earliest days, Judi has undertaken many Instructors and provide weekly inclusive fundraising activities, even braving a sky exercise groups focussing on improving dive on our behalf! When Merlin opened an mobility, strength, endurance, stretching and office based in Truro at Kerns House, Judi and Tai Chi, all of which are proven to make you fellow volunteer, Pat Rosewall, offered their feel more confident, flexible, stronger and administrative skills and worked there until Help empty the less likely to fall. the opening of the Merlin MS Centre. Judi dishwasher, even from a • Physiotherapy- led exercise groups focusing regularly works with the admin office and is a wheelchair. Rotation and on balance, strength, improving functional very valuable member of our team. reaching are great for performance and endurance, encouraging increasing balance and you to work to your maximum in a controlled So Judi, we will all miss you and Wednesdays tummy strength.