A PHYSIOTHERAPIST has opened a new wellbeing centre in a cottage in the Manor House courtyard in Ilkley which will be run as a social enterprise.

Michelle Thersby will offer some sessions on a ‘a pay as you can afford’ basis. Treatments on offer will include physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage, Reiki, nutrition and more. A healing group, run by volunteers will also start in January.

Michelle said: “We are based in a 150 year old cottage, managed by the Friends of the Manor House trustees, that I have totally refurbished, helped enormously by a £5k donation given by a local businessman, and a further £5k from a business woman which has helped towards the rent. My husband makes furniture out of reclaimed wood, so we furnished the cottage with his furniture, and where possible upcycled or bought second hand, as we believe the throw away culture we are is detrimental to our environment, and to ourselves. Our arrangement with therapists is that they can rent a session of 1 hour 30 mins for £10, on a flexible basis. We have three rooms available for rent, with the fourth being a reception room/ shop. Therapists who regularly rent our space become Wellness Warriors, meaning that they receive certain perks including a free of rent session a month which they use as a “pay as you can afford” session. Our shop will be open on Fridays and we will sell a range of products including no plastic range.”

Michelle added: “I have worked so hard to bring The Wellness Mission to life. I am totally funding the rent of the cottage through my own personal savings, as the business cannot yet support itself. Please come and visit us, and help keep this local start up business going. If you are a therapist who would like to work with us, or a patient interested in our services, please ring the founder of The Wellness Mission Michelle Thersby on 07734082584 or visit our website www.thewellnessmission.co.uk hello@thewellnessmission.co.uk