Actress and presenter Natalie Cassidy visited the Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire MS Therapy Centre as part of filming for a new BBC documentary series exploring the realities of caring across the UK.
The EastEnders star spent time at the centre during filming for Caring Together, an eight-part BBC One series following her as she returns to college to train as a carer.
The episode featuring the Bedford-based charity is due to air on Thursday, 28 May, with the full series beginning on Monday, 25 May at 1.30pm on BBC One and available on BBC iPlayer.
Real stories
The Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire MS Therapy Centre episode follows member Lisa Stonehouse and her husband, Gary, as they share their experiences of living with Multiple Sclerosis and managing care together.
The programme explores the day-to-day realities faced by families living with long-term neurological conditions and the emotional, practical and physical impact caring can have.
During filming, Natalie met members, carers, volunteers and staff at the centre to learn more about the support available for people living with conditions including Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s.
The visit also highlighted the role community-based services play in supporting wellbeing and reducing isolation for people living with long-term health conditions.
Centre support
Shirley Scotcher, chief executive of the Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire MS Therapy Centre, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to welcome Natalie Cassidy to our centre. Natalie was warm, engaging, and genuinely interested in the experiences of our members, carers, and staff.
“Lisa and Gary’s story is incredibly powerful and reflects the reality many families face every day. Caring can be rewarding, exhausting, emotional, and life-changing all at once, and this series shines an important spotlight on the compassion and resilience shown by carers across the country.
“We are proud to have been part of such an important project and hope the programme helps raise awareness of both the challenges and strength of people living with neurological conditions and those who care for them.”
Caring focus
The BBC series forms part of the broadcaster’s wider Caring Matters season, which aims to raise awareness of the challenges facing carers while recognising the contribution they make to communities across the country.
Throughout the series, Natalie works alongside students, professional carers, volunteers and unpaid carers, taking part in classroom learning, placements and real-life care situations.
The Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire MS Therapy Centre provides therapies, counselling, oxygen therapy, exercise programmes, wellbeing support and social activities for people living with neurological conditions, while also supporting carers and families.
