NEUROMUSCULAR CENTRE 

We would like to provide equipment for our young people to enable their independence, giving them complete freedom to be creative, be heard and make a difference.

We would like to purchase materials associated with the project.

The organisation will work with people in the Neuromuscular community who are new parents and those planning for parenthood with the aim of bringing people together to enable mutual support and ....more

The organisation will work with people in the Neuromuscular community who are new parents and those planning for parenthood with the aim of bringing people together to enable mutual support and encourage communication about parenthood with a progressive genetic condition.

Grant to The Neuromuscular Centre

Core Funding

Celebrating and Showcasing the NMC

Changing Places bathroom

NMC provides specialist services and support for individuals, families and carers from the Neuromuscular community. Neuromuscular conditions including Muscular Dystrophy are progressive muscle ....more

NMC provides specialist services and support for individuals, families and carers from the Neuromuscular community. Neuromuscular conditions including Muscular Dystrophy are progressive muscle wasting in nature and result in those affected having increased and sometimes complex physical disabilities. The Saturday Club will deliver a range of activities and opportunities for the most vulnerable within Cheshire to begin to engage in society after over a year of isolation and shielding. The funding will be used to create a safe external space, provide stimulating and attractive activities to be delivered and to pay the associated sessional staff costs relating to delivering the project. As a result of the Covid pandemic NMC's community of individuals with progressive long-term physical disabilities and their unpaid carers have become further detached from mainstream society, experiencing mental and physical health issues and are experiencing fear around the prospect of getting back to 'normal'. This group were already experiencing loneliness and isolation pre-pandemic due to their social interactions being limited, in many situations whole family units are at risk due to a lack of safe opportunities to join in with as restrictions ease. The Saturday Club concept has been co-designed by NMC's community who recognise their needs and desire to meet others in a safe trusted environment. This application is for a project rather than to fund unfunded core costs.

NMC provides a wide range of health, vocational and social activities and opportunities to enable good life outcomes for the target community. Physical activity and participating in sport has been a ....more

NMC provides a wide range of health, vocational and social activities and opportunities to enable good life outcomes for the target community. Physical activity and participating in sport has been a long standing challenge for the Neuromuscular community due to the condition manifesting itself in the form of physical disabilities which can be very complex resulting in extremely limited mobility. In 2017 NMC opened the UK's first Neuromuscular Gym which enables 85% of our community to participate in accessible active exercise and achieve so many of the associated health benefits. The links between the funding programmes outcomes and the NMC Titans project are multi-layered. Participating in a team sport supports mental health and a sense of community, this is particularly relevant to the target group as many have limited social contact which has mental health implications. Many participants need additional life skill development support, especially in terms of confidence and finding their voices, all too often parents/carers speak on behalf of the individual which is poor preparation for the transition to adulthood. Employment for young physically disabled individuals is low nationally, Scope state that disabled people are twice as likely to be unemployed in the UK and only 19% of working age adults are disabled. NMC's employment vocational opportunities have resulted in 40% of NMC's current workforce have a disability. NMC also provides work placement for young people, volunteering opportunities in accessible environments and delivers 'Ready for Work' workshops and support. The following case study is from one of our existing NMC Titans team players who explains this impact being part of the team has had on him; "playing power chair football with the Titans has allowed me to experience playing in a team and has helped me to improve my ability to work well in a team. It has also allowed me to improve my communication and leaderships skills”? The?young man who wrote this has since completed his Bronze level Duke of Edinburgh’s Award which NMC delivers in an adapted way and is working towards the Silver level. He was referred to NMC more than 4 years ago with low self-esteem, very isolated and with no social outlets.

"The fund aims to:1) To reduce closures of essential charities that provide essential services to vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis by ensuring they have the financial resources to ....more

"The fund aims to:1) To reduce closures of essential charities that provide essential services to vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis by ensuring they have the financial resources to operate, thereby reducing the burden on public services.2) To ensure essential services are provided to vulnerable people, both in the short and long term through increased community support through the work of charitable organisations."

COVID19 - This grant will fund the purchase of 10 iPad devices for children and young people with Muscular Dystrophy who are isolated at home due to Covid-19, which will help to reduce feelings of ....more

COVID19 - This grant will fund the purchase of 10 iPad devices for children and young people with Muscular Dystrophy who are isolated at home due to Covid-19, which will help to reduce feelings of isolation.

COVID19 : Purchase IT equipment for a charity that works with neuromuscular disorders in North West

NMC is the Centre of Excellence for people living with neuromuscular conditions and muscular dystrophy. These long term progressive physical disabilities impact on individuals, carers and families ....more

NMC is the Centre of Excellence for people living with neuromuscular conditions and muscular dystrophy. These long term progressive physical disabilities impact on individuals, carers and families lives, the unique service offer at NMC creates opportunities and support to enable the best possible life outcomes. Talking Therapies will provide confidential person-centred counselling to individuals who are at risk of having poor mental health. The funding requested will enable this new service offer to be introduced and delivered in conjunction with an expert partner provider. The opportunity to talk to a professional counsellor will prevent this vulnerable group from developing more significant mental health challenges. This group is not only at high risk of experiencing poor mental health but also have difficulty in accessing conventional mental health services both in terms of physical access and suitable available services.

NMC provides specialist services and support for people, carers and families living with complex physical disabilities. To provide emergency response for Cheshire and Warrington residents who are ....more

NMC provides specialist services and support for people, carers and families living with complex physical disabilities. To provide emergency response for Cheshire and Warrington residents who are isolating (many for 12 weeks) as a result of COVID-19 and them being particularly vulnerable due to having neuromusuclar conditions and muscular dystrophy. The grant will pay for resources to be allocated to delivering alternative and remotely provided services against the back drop of vastly reduced income. The benefits to our vulnerable community will be that they will have access to clincial expertise around their respiratory health, feel less isolated and know they have practical and emotional support available to them from an expert provider.

The organisation aims to offer a variety of activities and services to people in the Cheshire area that live with muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular conditions in the hopes of upskilling them and ....more

The organisation aims to offer a variety of activities and services to people in the Cheshire area that live with muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular conditions in the hopes of upskilling them and promote positive mental health. Funding will allow the group to expand their services to more people in the region regardless of age or geographic location.

NMC will deliver a formal package of support for individuals and families who have identified housing challenges. Led by the Support and Development worker at NMC who is a qualified occupational ....more

NMC will deliver a formal package of support for individuals and families who have identified housing challenges. Led by the Support and Development worker at NMC who is a qualified occupational therapist and delivers services aligned with a social worker role. This new service will include; • Individuals and families knowing there is a formal service to engage with • Provision of advocate to travel with individual/family through the housing journey o Providing timely and current information to individuals/families o Managing expectations, often the process causes stress and uncertainty o Understanding of the length of time home adaptations are likely to take o Negotiating with the different agencies involved to support and ensure that the individuals needs are understood • Providing clear and appropriate information and guidance on equipment for the home • Ensuring that individuals and families are supported through this process In addition to the salaried resource there will also be a role for volunteers in the project. NMC’s community consists of 3000 individuals, carers and families who are at different stages of living with this long term changing condition. This peer support model has worked well in other aspects of NMC and expert patients have a great deal of knowledge and experience to share with others. We would expect to recruit up to a dozen or so volunteers who can support the advocacy arm of the project. The service will be delivered at NMC's Cheshire site with a remote offer also available.

The funding will be used to install a path to make access to the outdoor space including a greenhouse possible. The aim is to increase access to the outdoor space for all people attending the centre.

The Big Give 2018

The grant will enable NMC to work towards hosting a two day symposium – MD Fest planned, delivered and focusing solely on young people. The symposium will have guest speakers from the md community ....more

The grant will enable NMC to work towards hosting a two day symposium – MD Fest planned, delivered and focusing solely on young people. The symposium will have guest speakers from the md community (who are young), feature workshops on tools and techniques to encourage young people to become decision makers, be empowered to speak for themselves and enjoy greater independence. Ready for Life? encapsulates the aim for young people with a long term condition to take social action in whatever form they need to enhance their opportunities and life outcomes. MD Fest will deliver workshops and insight groups providing a platform for participants to influence and be influenced by peers on topics relevant to young disabled people and may include relationships, finding their voice to make a difference for themselves and potentially others and influencing professionals who support them. NMC has previously delivered a similar event, NMD Fest was co-hosted by NMC and a national charity. It was a successful event incorporating aspects of social action. MD Fest would be specifically for young people in Cheshire and bring together an isolated group who if brought together could be terrific influencers on many levels. The grant will pay for staff costs, volunteer activity, operational costs, publicity small capital items and evaluation.

This project will deliver adapted group based activities and social events for children and young people with Muscular Dystrophy in Winsford. It hopes to lead to improved self-esteem, stronger peer ....more

This project will deliver adapted group based activities and social events for children and young people with Muscular Dystrophy in Winsford. It hopes to lead to improved self-esteem, stronger peer relationships and reduced isolation.

The NeuroMuscular Centre, as the Centre of Excellence for people with muscular dystrophy (MD), provides health and wellbeing services, vocational training and support and advice for its ....more

The NeuroMuscular Centre, as the Centre of Excellence for people with muscular dystrophy (MD), provides health and wellbeing services, vocational training and support and advice for its beneficiaries. ‘Who Am I?’ will create alternative coping mechanisms for young people with MD experiencing poor mental wellbeing. The grant funding will contribute towards salary costs, care, transport and assistive digital materials that will enable us to deliver: - Listening Ears – an opportunity for peer support and mentoring with other individuals with MD which will be anonymously recorded by our radio-presenting supporter with MD to raise awareness of links between disability and mental health; and - Creative Minds – workshops to enable our young people to express their feelings via creative mediums. The Project will assist our young clients to discover more about themselves, reduce emotional instability and prevent mental health crises by giving them an outlet to express, understand and control their emotions so they can accept their disability, have confidence in their abilities and lead productive lives.

The NMC is the Centre of Excellence for people with Muscular Dystrophy based in Winsford, Cheshire. The project will provide professional support to beneficiaries of the centre who are transitioning ....more

The NMC is the Centre of Excellence for people with Muscular Dystrophy based in Winsford, Cheshire. The project will provide professional support to beneficiaries of the centre who are transitioning from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independent Payments. The grant will fund the salary of a worker to support people with Muscular Dystrophy through this process.

The Neuromuscular Centre (NMC) is the Centre of Excellence for people with Muscular Dystrophy (MD), a genetically inherited muscle wasting condition which affects 1:1000 UK births and results in ....more

The Neuromuscular Centre (NMC) is the Centre of Excellence for people with Muscular Dystrophy (MD), a genetically inherited muscle wasting condition which affects 1:1000 UK births and results in those affected becoming increasingly physically disabled as the condition progresses. NMC's Expansion Project aims to create 70% more floorspace to enable NMC to meet current and forecasted demand and to add new service offerings to the existing core services. A larger NMC will allow NMC to meet the changing needs of the MD community within Cheshire. NMC estimates that 30% more people will benefit from a larger NMC immediately. The grant makes a contribution towards capital costs, specifically around adaptations to make the new floorspace fully accessible.

Funding under Sport England's Small Grants funding programme for a Revenue project titled NMC Titans powered chair football team. This project lists its main activity as Association Football

towards the costs of extending a building used by an organisation in Cheshire that provides specialist support and services to people with muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular conditions

the salary and travel costs of the Support Manager