About Us
We're an inclusive wellbeing Centre dedicated to helping people lead happy, healthy, independent lives.
Fully accessible, we offer the only facility of this kind within a 35 mile radius; welcoming people from Swindon, North Wilts, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, and providing practical support and therapy opportunities.
Some of the services we offer, such as oxygen therapy, are not routinely available through the NHS, though many doctors refer patients to us.
Opening times
Monday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Tuesdays: Closed
Wednesday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am - 4:00pm + 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Accessibility
Disabled parking close to the building
Access ramp to the front doors
Accessible doorways, seating area and toilets
Accessible lift to first floor neuro-gym
History
Swindon Therapy Centre for Multiple Sclerosis was founded initially in 1981 as a self-help group, became a registered charity in 1983, and has steadily grown into the wonderful community that all associated with it are so proud of today.
We are a self-funded charity, with annual running costs of around £250k. As we do not routinely receive any statutory funding, we actively seek partnership, grant and funding opportunities.
The Centre does not seek to make a profit on services or therapies provided - we ask for a contribution towards covering our costs.
Reports & Accounts
Meet The Staff
Debi Isaac-Taylor
CEO
Debi joined as Communications & Engagement Manager in 2021 and took over as CEO in 2023. With more than twenty years experience in communications, media relations and reputation management, Debi also brought volunteering experience from a number of children's causes and experience of working in a nursing home to pay her way through an English degree!
Perhaps most beneficial to her role, is Debi's personal experience of a neurological diagnosis in her 30s.
Cathy Bates
Hi, I'm Cathy and I've been a member of the charity for 10 years. I have MS and have been able to take advantage of the Oxygen, Gym, AlterG over the years - giving me a great understanding of the ethos of the centre and the benefits of being part of a community that 'gets it'.
Across my career, I have 30 years of financial experience and, having joined the staff team in 2023, as a part-time bookkeeper, it's been great to have the chance to put a little back into the charity that supported me too.
To relax, my wife and I have a much-loved caravan in which we spend a lot of time (weather permitting) jaunting around the countryside. I also enjoy visits to the theatre, socialising with friends and I try to swim every week, as falling over in a swimming pool is easier to deal with than concrete. 
Sandra Willmott
Oxygen Services Manager
Sandra joined in June 2022, to be our Oxygen Services Manager; ensuring the safe operation of our oxygen chambers, as well as supporting our team of experienced volunteer operators. She brings with her previous experience of working in the charity and financial services sectors, as well as management experience in business.
Sandra first visited the Centre in 2016 through the Zurich Community Trust and has volunteered intermittently since; understanding the challenges a neuro condition can bring, since her own mum had MS.
Sian Williams
Support Worker
Sian first came to the Centre as a volunteer oxygen operator in 2007. Most of her previous working life had been as a Radiographer and Ultrasonographer for the NHS, until she had to give up due to her personal experience of living with a neurological condition, now much improved.
However, her own understanding of living with a chronic condition, meant she was the perfect person to take up a Support Worker role at the Centre in 2016; where she introduces new clients to the Centre and helps existing members access the therapies they need or answers any queries they may have, as well as continuing to operate our oxygen chambers, whenever the opportunity arises!
Sian really enjoys contributing to the happy, positive atmosphere at the Centre and chatting to the many inspiring people she meets there.
Teresa White
Support Worker
Teresa had spent the early years of her career as an administrator for a financial services company, until redundancy took her by surprise. After travelling for a year, she returned home to care for her grandmother and this became the catalyst for a completely different career direction, starting as an Activities Co-ordinator in a care home. She joined the Centre team as a Support Worker in 2018 and hasn't looked back since! Her sunny disposition and calming manner have made her an integral part of the support team.
Teresa believes the Centre is an amazing place to work, where she has met many lovely people, many of whom she now calls her friends.
Meet The Trustees
Tim Culling
Tim first came to know about the Centre when he hosted a visit as a part of his role as trustee for Zurich Community Trust. From that first visit, he felt inspired to get involved; becoming a trustee in June 2014 and Chair of the Board later that year.
Tim comments: "Alongside the other fantastic people who volunteer for our charity, my fellow trustees and I basically do all that we can to ensure that the charity delivers on our charitable objects. The trustees have legal responsibility for ensuring that we’re well run and governed, and we take these responsibilities very seriously. For my part, I think that my career experience with Zurich, where I held many roles that involved governance and controls responsibilities, alongside my long-time as a trustee for Zurich Community Trust, enable me to bring relevant skills and insights into our organisation.
"None of what I might be able to bring, though, would make any kind of difference were it not for the fantastic trustee colleagues, CEO, staff team, volunteers and, of course, members who combine to make the culture in our charity one to be inspired by. And that’s what the Centre has given me - and will continue to give me long after my term as a trustee comes to an end: INSPIRATION!"
Amanda Saunders
Amanda first remembers coming to the Centre in the early 80s with her mum, who had MS and used the oxygen chamber. "The social support and friends she made were a huge part of her life," she says. Amanda joined as a Trustee in 2002, serving on the Board for the twenty years since.
In her final year of a BSc in Nutritional Science, Amanda is an accountant, and works for the MOD. As well as all the usual Trustee responsibilities, she is additionally accountable for safeguarding; incorporating culture, processes, and procedures (which may sound dull, but are a vital part of making sure everything is done properly to protect everyone). She has an unshakeable belief in fairness and inclusivity, that guide everything she does, as well as a "can do" attitude. Though her previous solo parachute jump to raise funds for the Centre tested even her resolve (and the vertigo probably didn't help either!) What a trooper!
Simon Wells
Simon is a retired solicitor and spent much of his career working in-house for a large energy company; where his expertise included infrastructure planning and consenting, environmental issues (both locally and nationally), corporate law and litigation. As well as various managerial roles, he chaired a national industry committee and worked with Government on the introduction and implementation of infrastructure planning legislation.
Outside of work, Simon has been actively involved in a variety of voluntary sporting roles, chairing groups and captaining cricket teams at Club and County Seniors levels. He also sings in a variety of groups, primarily chamber choirs.
Simon brings personal experience of several neurological conditions, through his wider family.
Chris Clayton
Chris is currently the Marketing Performance and Insights Director at Capita on behalf of the British Army; he comes with 20 years of digital, marketing and data experience from across different industries including companies such as Nationwide Building Society and Lastminute.com.
Chris is an ECB Qualified Cricket Coach currently managing his towns U13's cricket team as well as having been a mentor for the Princes Trust and the Marketing Academy Foundation supporting young people from disadvantage backgrounds find a career in marketing in organisations that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
Chris brings to the charity personal experience of Multiple Sclerosis within his family.
John Keppel
John joined our Board of Trustees in November 2023, following a volunteering visit by the executive team of Zurich Insurance; during which he and his colleagues redecorated the Centre's social area. He was so impressed by the work of the charity that he wanted to add his skills and experience to the Trustee team.
John's work as Zurich’s Chief Sustainability Officer means he is responsible for ensuring the business meets its regulatory and legal requirements, as well as acting as catalyst for change in the sector. Previous to this he was Zurich's UK Chief Operating Officer, responsible for the company's daily business operations and implementing company-wide strategies.
Originally from New Zealand and with a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree from Loughborough University of Technology, John lives in Wiltshire, is married with two daughters, and enjoys exploring the countryside on his motorbike.