Hi Guys,
Do you bloody well know that there are three support centres called “The Haven”, one at London, one at Hereford and one at Leeds and they do marvellous things like accupuncture and counselling and healthy living advice, too many things to name just off the top of my head. And NOBODY has informed me of it although it was formed in 1997. I was diagnosed in 2003 and felt that after the initial care and appointments I was left to cope as best as I could with everything as of course there are so many of us diagnosed every month or year. I must say this site has been fantastic, to be able to come and talk to you all has really helped but I think we still need professional guidance even further down the line, after all we have to live with this permanently. Look at the site everyone,loads of different kinds of help and it costs nothing but time.
love Ruthine x x
Hi Ruthine
I live in London and have been having complementary therapies at The Haven, in Fulham, for about a year. I was first diagnosed with BC while living in Italy and there was no support that I was aware of there. In 2010, and back in the UK, I was diagnosed with secondaries and The Haven has been an absolute lifeline. It’s an amazing charity and, as someone who has ongoing treatment, it is so nice to find a place which is a real sanctuary. I’m currently having acupuncture and reflexology and the people who provide the treatment are wonderful. It’s brilliant to go to a place and have some ‘me’ time that isn’t related to all things medical. I wish there was a Haven in every city. I found out about this place at a BCC secondary course and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Thanks for the mention.
Alison x
PS They also provide delicious, healthy lunches for a suggested donation of £2.50!!
Hi. Ive been to the Hereford one. As others have said, fab complementary therapy stuff AND a really good library. You can borrow several books on every topic you can think of!! Also Journals with research papers in. Saved me a fortune during my initial ‘i need to find out everything i can’ phase.
The only problem is the location. Hereford is lovely but it is a small town, not really near anything else. So, over an hours drive for a relaxing massage defeted the object after the drive home. Also, i did sign up to the ‘young womens’ group but it was repeatidly cancelled cos not enough women due to go.
So, a wonderful place, but for me, built in the wrong place.
Sadie Xx
Hi
Hereford is my local town and I felt so fortunate that there is a Haven there - it was a Godsend to me last year and I really benefited from the therapies, counselling, support etc that they provide. While Herefordshire is admittedly a sparsely populated county compared with many others, it is great to have such a facility here - it has a wide rural catchment even beyond the borders of Herefordshire - and it compensates for the fact that we are so far away from the regional cancer centres etc etc. People needing radiotherapy in Herefordshire & the Welsh marches have very long journeys to endure.
Sorry the Hereford Haven is in the wrong place for you Sadie - for me it is in exactly the right place! It would be lovely if there could be a better national network of such centres so nobody would have to travel too far.
Cheers
Maggy
hey
ive been to haven in herford and loved it.
it is over an hour drive for me, so i catch the train, and have a few things in one day, ie councelling, massage and a mini shopping trip, its a day out and a treat to me.
xxxxxxxxxxx
Hiya
I must look at the Haven Hereford, only just started going to Hereford hospital.
There are other centres too, there is one in powys called the Bracken Trust, Llandrindod Wells , that works along the same lines providing support to those affected by cancer.
Also The Maggie Centre in London. Another little know london centre is the Macmillan Cancer Centre, based in the harley St cancer clinic, 81-83 Harley St. This centre is open to everyone not just private patients attending the clinic, they have lovely treatment rooms and provide a whole range of therapies and support. I find it odd that it is in a private clinic yet it is supported by charity.
I am sure there must be many little support centres around the country , hey BCC have you ever compiled a list? In fact i know there is one in Tamworth that was started by a lady who had BC and used to be on the forum.
rhian x
I discovered this place through my Reiki therapist and will be having my complementary treatments soon. It’s also near some places I knew in my youth so I can indulge in nostalgia which always makes me feel better. Thanks Haven for just being there. Cheers Cathy xxx