News Release

National children's charity Brainwave celebrates 10 years of royal patronage

February 2013Ten years ago in February 2003 HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO agreed to become President of children's charity Brainwave. The charity works with families to deliver home based individual therapies and exercises to help children with disabilities and Developmental Delay reach their full potential.

Brainwave has marked the occasion by drawing up a timeline that shows the progress it has made since The Countess became involved 10 years ago. Brainwave CEO, Phil Edge, said, "When The Countess agreed to become President of Brainwave we had one centre in Bridgwater, but in the past 10 years Brainwave has reached out across the UK with centres in the South East and the North West and satellite clinics in Ireland and Scotland so that families can access Brainwave wherever they are based in the UK.

"We are so grateful for the support The Countess has given us over the past 10 years. She has done us the honour of opening both of our centres in Warrington and Witham and has made several visits to our Somerset centre in Bridgwater where she opened the hydrotherapy pool and our accommodation bungalows. In 2005 she visited The Stock Exchange on Brainwave's behalf and in 2011 Brainwave officially celebrated its fourth year at its South East centre with The Countess.

"But one of the things that is of most importance to us is the fact that The Countess has met so many of the families who attend Brainwave and always takes time to talk to them as well as remembering everyone she has met from previous visits."

The Countess visited Brainwave in 2012 to mark its 30^thanniversary and during the time she has been President the number of children on a Brainwave Programme has doubled to 550.

The charity has sent a card to The Countess which is signed by staff and trustees and chairman Martin Jackson is sending a personal letter of thanks which recognises the time and commitment The Countess makes towards Brainwave.

The children on Brainwave Programmes have a range of conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, genetic conditions including Down's syndrome, as well as Autism or General Development Delay. The Centre in Somerset was set up in 1982 and Brainwave has two further Centres in Witham, Essex and in Birchwood, Warrington as well as satellite clinics in Ireland and Scotland.

Places on the Programme are available for children at all three Centres. For more information seewww.brainwave.org.uk; email:enquiries@brainwave.org.ukor phone: 01278 429089.

Press information: Jane Adkins, Tel: 01935 813114 or email:jane@aheadforpr.co.uk.

Photo shows The Countess meeting Garreth Berridge and family at the SW Centre in Bridgwater, Somerset

Editor's notes

1. Brainwave's team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists development therapists and teachers seek to transform the lives of children with disabilities. By working with parents, giving them relevant therapy equipment and teaching them correct handling skills, they are empowered to actively participate in their child's development.

2. Families are invited to the Centre for a two day Initial Assessment where the child is assessed and a Programme designed for the child. On the second day the family are shown how to undertake the exercises, which they then carry out at home, returning to the Centre every 4-6 months when the exercises are adjusted.

3. Brainwave was set up in 1982 and moved into the Centre in Huntworth Gate, Bridgwater in 1986. This Centre operates as the Charity's head office.

4. Brainwave currently has over 550 families on Programme nationally.

5. See the charity's videos athttp://uk.youtube.com/BrainwaveCentre.

6. Brainwave uses mainstream neuroplasticity techniques in its Programmes. Most of its therapists are NHS trained.

7. Brainwave's President is HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO and the Vice Presidents include Lady Gass, Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Somerset.