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Integrated Neurological Services
82 Hampton Road, Twickenham, TW2 5QS
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  1. Latest
  2. Service user stories

Service user stories

As long as I’m alive, nothing is impossible

I had a massive haemorrhagic stroke after which I spent six weeks in ICU, over two months in neurological wards in various hospitals and then around six months in a rehabilitation hospital.

Watching the videos helped me to do exercises properly.  Mindfulness helped me with my anxiety and improved my confidence.  The INS groups helped me through difficult times, and Alex helped me to put my heart and personality into recovery. 

Everyone at INS is very professional, positive and motivates me even further to work hard by planning my days and go an extra mile to help other patients.  I feel like by joining INS I have improved a lot. 

To read more about Navjot’s story, please click here.

To be 18 once again! by Karen O’Brien

When I look back over the time when I was 18, I remember the joys of that time – when mostly my thoughts were going forward, guessing, wondering and making false assumptions, plus the frustrations and the fears. Now, with the experience of all the time afterwards – so easy to say-I’d treasure much more the joys, the excitement, the adventure, and make much more positive use of the fears and frustrations (with a healthy speed limit on those false assumptions!)

It’s so long now since I’ve felt that rising joy of life course through my nerve endings, and I’d foster and develop those feelings far more if I could – I’d love to have those now. The confidence I have then was so different from now – so untempered by experience – not a dais strong enough to support me; just one of which to fall!

Everything was heightened then and while that feeling could not be sustained for ever, I should perhaps have held it more closely to my life for long and use Its fuel to aid and strengthen and give colour to the coming years.

But, even as I write that last paragraph, I realise that, in fact, I did do that and my 18-year old self was, in fact, my good parent for the remainder of my life to come. We cannot, and maybe, should not wish to change what has been – while so much is yet to follow. In a sense, I am always on the edge of being 18…

Living with MS

I am 49 years old and have been living with Progressive-relapsing Multiple sclerosis (MS) for around 10 years.

I have received a lot of help from INS and now I, in turn, devote a lot of my time to them. I’m a member of their INSight group (a service users’ forum) and I help them with their medical student training (by talking to the students and also by helping set up seating).

INS has helped me with physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and I have also used their counselling service on a number of occasions. The rehabilitation assistants have worked with me in the gym at INS, and basically give me a good reason to keep on living, even if it is with an incurable illness like MS.

All at INS understand the difficulties involved. They do not belittle you in any way and they are all very friendly.

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Latest

  • Latest news

    Latest news

    Find out what's been happening at INS in our latest Newsletter... INS face-to-face groups have now resumed but we continue to support our clients through video and phone contact... A hugely positive response to INS online sessions during lockdown... Over 150 people, including then Twickenham MP Sir Vince Cable, and the Mayors of Richmond and Hounslow, joined service users, staff and volunteers at York House for INS 25th Anniversary event on 17 October 2019...

  • INS Newsletter

    INS Newsletter

    Details of what's been happening at INS in recent months and plans for the coming weeks in our latest Newsletter... Find out how INS has adapted to increased face-to-face work with our clients and carers, while maintaining many of our popular online groups... We also share some of the experiences of our clients, tell you about new activities, and introduce you to the latest INS team members... Also details of how to get your copy of INS in Lockdown from our Creative Writing group and much more!

  • INS Case for Support

    Find out why INS exists, how we respond to people's needs, and the hugely positive impact that we have.

  • Our Staff Team

    The INS Team includes 11 staff, both full-time and part-time, with generous support from our many volunteers. Sarah Vines began work at INS in August 2020 as our Chief Executive and Clinical Lead.

Most read

  • INS Programme

    INS is making plans to resume more face-to-face services. We continue to support our clients and carers by offering virtual group sessions via Zoom videolink - please see below for details of our current programme.

  • Latest news

    Latest news

    Find out what's been happening at INS in our latest Newsletter... INS face-to-face groups have now resumed but we continue to support our clients through video and phone contact... A hugely positive response to INS online sessions during lockdown... Over 150 people, including then Twickenham MP Sir Vince Cable, and the Mayors of Richmond and Hounslow, joined service users, staff and volunteers at York House for INS 25th Anniversary event on 17 October 2019...

  • Working for INS

    Come and join our team.

  • What is a neurological condition?

    A neurological condition is a disease, illness or trauma that affects the central or peripheral nervous system. Examples of symptoms include paralysis, tremor, cognitive difficulties, muscle weakness, poor coordination, loss of sensation, seizures, confusion, pain and altered levels of consciousness.

  • Our Staff Team

    The INS Team includes 11 staff, both full-time and part-time, with generous support from our many volunteers. Sarah Vines began work at INS in August 2020 as our Chief Executive and Clinical Lead.

  • Groups and activities

    INS offers a variety of long term and short-term groups. Some of these groups are for people with a specific neurological condition, while others are open to all neurological conditions. Our groups focus on different areas; some are exercise based, others focus on managing symptoms, while others provide you with an opportunity to try out different activities.

  • Volunteer opportunities

    INS welcomes anybody who is willing to offer their skills and some of their time to assist us in all areas of our work. We already have a team of invaluable volunteers who help us in many ways but we are currently looking for more support.

  • INS Newsletter

    INS Newsletter

    Details of what's been happening at INS in recent months and plans for the coming weeks in our latest Newsletter... Find out how INS has adapted to increased face-to-face work with our clients and carers, while maintaining many of our popular online groups... We also share some of the experiences of our clients, tell you about new activities, and introduce you to the latest INS team members... Also details of how to get your copy of INS in Lockdown from our Creative Writing group and much more!

  • Where we work

    Integrated Neurological Services (INS) provides support primarily to people who live in the London boroughs of Richmond and Hounslow. However, we may still be able to offer support to people living just outside this area (eg. in Kingston, Wandsworth, Ealing) who are within reach of our base in Twickenham.

  • Donate

    Your donation can make a difference to the lives of people with a neurological condition. Donate, hold an event, take part in a challenge - whatever you can do will make a difference.

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