Charms Therapy Centre

Our Story

CHARMS The Essex Therapy Centre received charitable status in 1984, at which time it was established as a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Centre for patients with Multiple Sclerosis. The Registered Charity was supported by local representatives from the outset, following its opening by Councillors Con Johnson & Mike Rose (Mayors of Chelmsford, Essex).

The Charity was subsequently registered with the National Healthcare Commission as an Independent Healthcare Provider (INH), as which it was required to attain and maintain similar standards to any UK Hospital, and gained various quality assurance standards including 'Investors in People' and 'PQASSO (level 3)'. At about that time it additionally became a Company Limited by Guarantee, while maintaining its charitable status.

Building and maintaining a fairly large Membership for its size, CHARMS additionally receives financial support from Chelmsford City Council and other Foundations, Funders & Organisations, also Individuals. Our Landlord is the Medical Research Council. We have treated patients (and carers) with a range of health conditions, following national and international medical protocols, and people with sports injuries including members of the Essex Cricket Team, for example Nasser Hussain OBE (who subsequently became the Captain for England) and Paul Prichard, and Chelmsford Superbikes Racer Ed Rendell. With a Presidential Team comprising Consultant NHS Doctors & Nurses (including for Hyperbaric Medicine), and a CEO who is an Associate Fellow of The British Psychological Society, a Chartered Psychologist, and a Life Member of the Indian Academy of Neurosciences (with additional international experience in Public Health), CHARMS provides a range of services: * A Drop-In Meeting Room for patients and their carers; * Health & Social Welfare Advice & Advocacy, including help understanding Diagnosis & Benefits Advice (support with form completion and appeals); * Exercise equipment (Toning Table; Balance Master; Theracycle); * Normobaric & Hyperbaric Oxygen, supervised by a Mechanical Engineer (a donation of £20 per session is necessary to ensure the Therapy remains available); * Counselling & Psychological Interventions, led by a Masters Qualified (Neurological) Counsellor with an Honorary Doctorate (a donation of £20 per session is welcome); * Massage / Physiotherapy, with a Masseuse specialised in Long-Term and Life Limiting Conditions (£20 per hour).

CHARMS is always happy to recruit new Volunteers and can provide support in: Psychology & Neuroscience (for Undergraduates, Postgraduates & Doctoral Scholars); Counselling (Undergraduates & Postgraduates, with Clinical Psychology up to Doctoral level). We also have space available for other Therapists who would like to work with us.