A WORRIED resident who was diagnosed with MS nearly two decades ago says she doesn’t know where to turn after it was announced a wellness centre for people with the condition would close.

MS-UK says it has been forced to close Josephs Court, in Hythe Quay, Colchester, as it is no longer able to offer face-to-face services due to the financial strain of coronavirus.

The centre has state-of-the-art physiotherapy equipment and also hosts support groups.

St John’s resident Jay Denton, 51, was diagnosed with MS in 2001, eight years after suffering her first episode, and has been using Josephs Court three times a week since it opened in 2012 to slow the progress of her condition.

She said: “At Josephs Court I use the specialist equipment such as the standing frame and the bikes. This is the only movement I get and I am a full time electric wheelchair user.

“I cannot stand on my own and so the standing frame is the only safe way I can stand up.

“There are huge benefits to me standing up independently.

"It means my organs are in the right position and it helps my posture.

"It also helps ensure my legs are strong enough to do basic transfers from my wheelchair to my bed.

“Since lockdown and the closure of the centre I have not been able to do that. Six months of not standing up has taken its toll.

“I hoped I would be able to get back on track once the centre opened but now I don’t know where to turn. I am scared about the future.

“I am really hopeful someone can take it on as a going concern for people like me. There is nothing else like this out there.”

In 2017, MS-UK secured £500,000 Big Lottery Fund cash to provide support from Josephs Court.

Helen Yates, who was instrumental in setting up the centre during her time as chief executive of the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre, said she was devastated by the news it would be closing.

She said: “The charity has lost a lot of income and that leaves you facing some difficult decisions.

“But I have heard from many clients who are bemused and confused as such a big deal was made when the money was secured.”

MS-UK’s Amy Woolf said the £500,000 was not for the Josephs Court building but to “support people with multiple sclerosis to improve their health, wellbeing and independence”.

She added: “We are still committed to this work and are meeting with our client-led steering group to establish how best we can continue to support our clients, albeit in new ways.

“Whilst it may not be the Josephs Court we’ve come to know and love, I do hope we can build something together that goes some way to recover what is currently lost.”

The charity says it is reliant on the sale of both its properties to ensure its survival.

Ms Woolf added: “Financially we are not in a position to gift the centre and are reliant upon the sale of both our properties to ensure the survival of the charity and our ability to support people affected by MS in the future.

"I would like to reiterate that we are yet to make any decision regarding the specialist equipment as we continue discussions with our clients. Any viable options will be fully considered.”