New manager takes over at West Berkshire Therapy Centre in Thatcham

A new manager has started at the West Berkshire Therapy Centre in Thatcham.

Veronica Allsop, from Newbury, is now leading a long-established team of staff and volunteers supporting people through specialised exercise routines to improve their mobility and independence.

They use power-assisted equipment to help users stimulate their muscles to perform tasks which may have become have difficult, such as getting up out of a chair or putting on a seatbelt.

And clients come from all over West Berkshire and North Hampshire to benefit from what the centre, at Frank Hutchings Community Hall, has to offer.

Mrs Allsop has worked for six years in the charity and adult social care sectors.

Explaining why she took on the role, she said: “The services we offer here are bespoke to each individual user.

“With physical limitations, our clients would find it difficult or almost impossible to use a conventional gym.

“We have around 17 different exercise machines, each working in different muscle groups, that allow users to work with full resistance and minimum effort to accommodate their different physical limitations.”

People suffering from a wide variety of conditions can benefit, including those with physical injuries and disabilities, Parkinson's disease, dementia, rheumatism, arthritis, cancer and sight loss.

“When they do come, it's very much a wellbeing call, not just physically but mentally, because the two go hand in hand,” Mrs Allsop continued.

Speaking further on the crucial link between physical and mental health, she added: “I recognised this is really not just to do with the physicality of people.

“If you try to help a person in their personal circumstances, that will improve their inner wellbeing.

“Some of the clients just come for a chat, because they've been coming for a while.

“And even if they do feel better, they're still very welcome.”

And sharing her thoughts on the continued disparity in mental and physical health care and treatment, Mrs Allsop felt there was “a positive trend across the board”, with more workplaces recognising the importance of mental health with their staff.

Outside of work, Mrs Allsop is currently training for the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, hiking 25 miles and climbing 5,200ft all in under 12 hours for charity.

And she is also planning a walk along Hadrian's Wall to raise funds for the therapy centre later this year.

West Berkshire Therapy Centre was set up more than 10 years ago with support from a wide range of donors.

As a charity, there are no set charges for sessions, but donations are welcomed from users.