Page 34 - link magazine

34 The virtual Link Magazine now online @ www.swindonlink.com

Work underway on canal walls Health help on offer in 07 - it might
The dream of canal boats navigating through West Swindon is a step not be available in a year’s time
closer to reality as work begins at Purton Road Bridge under
Thamesdown Drive. It’s an important year for Swindon Well Woman Centre and
Ken Oliver, chief executive of “We plan to upgrade the canal Man@WWC because the charity is struggling to attract financial
the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust to the same condition as the sec- backing and remains open with money drawn from reserves.
explained that, when completed tion at Kingshill. Within three The centre offers free confiden- which include chlamydia, gonor-
in April, this section of canal will years, it should be possible to run tial services to men , women and rhoea and thrush.
hold water permanently. boats on a one mile stretch from teenagers. No appointment is nec- The centre provides a free legal
the bridge to Moulden Hill Park.” essary at the three female health advice service with local solicitors
The trust is one of nine organisa- clinics and one men’s clinic each on divorce, separation, children,
VACANCY tions preparing a joint bid for £15 week. contested wills, same sex couples,
Part-time Office Administrator million lottery funding to create Health checks can include on debt, housing and welfare benefits.
the Cricklade Country Way, a wild- the spot blood pressure checks, There is also a listening support
Small, friendly company in life and recreation area running cholesterol, anaemia, and glucose service for non-medical problems.
Cheney Manor is looking for an from Cricklade to West Swindon. tests. The medical staff can also Clinic times (drop in service, no
experienced office administrator.
This includes restoring five miles give health advice on a wide range appointment necessary):
Confident telephone manner, of the canal and the railway line. of issues including menopause, Mondays 5.30pm - 7.30pm (fe-
good computer and customer The lottery application will be breast and testicular awareness, male); Wednesdays 12.30pm -
service skills essential.
submitted at the end of May for a and giving up smoking. Informa- 2.30pm (female); Thursdays
Individual to be organised, decision in August. But planning tion and advice is available on diet, 5.30pm - 7.30pm (male) Fridays
self-motivated and able to work applications are to be put to Swin- weight/height/BMI. 10am - 12noon (female)
efficiently on own initiative. don and North Wilts Councils this The clinics also offer immediate To book an appointment for le-
Hours of work are between month. result pregnancy tests, a contra- gal advice or with the listening
Monday - Friday 9.30am - 2.30pm “We’re buoyantly optimistic,” ceptive service including emer- support service, call 511064.
Interested? Call Presenting Binders said Ken. “This is one of the most gency contraception, cervical Call the centre to discuss organ-
01793 872300 or email: exciting times for the canal since it smear tests, and sexual health tests ising a fundraising event.
[email protected] was built 200 years ago.”
Therapy centre starts search
MOBILE CAR SERVICING & REPAIRS for a new base
★ Electronic tuning ★ Welding ★ Electrical work Swindon’s Centre for Multiple Sclerosis is on the look out for larger
★ MoTs arranged (no re-test fee) premises to cater for increased demand for its services.
For a reliable local service with over 25 years experience
(No VAT to pay)
CALL GRAHAM ON (01793) 873045 or 07867 556350

During the Autumn staff from Zurich cleared a store room to create a new room
where MS sufferers can enjoy complimentary therapies. Helen Gray enjoys reflex-
ology from therapist Julie Jefferies, with Dave and Jackie Wray and therapist Viv
Wise. Fundraising helped purchase a brand new therapy couch
At present the centre uses sev- ices to sufferers in the longer term.”
eral rooms at BSS House in Cheney The centre is run by a voluntary
Manor, but with so many people management committee and relies
wanting to receive oxygen therapy entirely on fundraising and dona-
in the hyperbaric diving chamber, tions. No NHS money is received.
complimentary and physio- If the group finds a suitable
therapy, as well as the chance to venue, it will be no ordinary trans-
meet each other socially, a larger fer of equipment. A wall of their
place to operate from is required. present centre will have to be
Centre manager Jackie Wray knocked down and a crane used to
said greater awareness of MS lift out the oxygen chamber which
amongst people diagnosed with is large enough to sit eight people.
the disease and also friends and “We really need a major benefac-
family had resulted in more calls tor to work with us to offer more
to the centre. “It’s a major chal- to MS sufferers,” said Jackie.
lenge to think about moving, from To make a donation, help with
both a physical and financial point fundraising or for details on how
of view, but we need to tackle it if to help the MS Centre find a new
we are to continue offering serv- premises, call Jackie on 481700.

21 February 07 34 18/1/07, 1:41 pm