This blog is the second in a series Beth is writing as part of her research project on living beyond cancer. Throughout the project, she has been visiting a range of services and organisations to learn more about the types of support available to people during and after cancer treatment. The goal is to share what support is available and reflect on how these spaces can help people feel connected and supported.
On top of peer support, a common theme that has emerged when speaking to services that support people living with and beyond cancer, is the importance of wellbeing-focused support. These include activities that help people reconnect with their bodies, reduce anxiety, and create moments of calm during treatment and living beyond cancer. One such activity which I had the chance to take part in earlier this year was a seated yoga and mindfulness session at the Macmillan Cancer Support Centre at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT).
When I entered the centre, I was met with warmth and friendliness from both staff and patients. I had a wonderful cup of coffee before meeting those attending the yoga session. The group I joined was a mix of individuals currently going through treatment, and those further along in their treatment. They were enthusiastic to hear about my research and open to having me join the session. There was a real sense of support and care in the room, with individuals having conversations before the class begun and many bringing a sense of lightness and humour throughout the session. The instructor was brilliant, connecting with each individual and facilitating the yoga session, which focused on breathing, stretching, and being present. It was clear for many in the room that this class was a pivotal part of their week, a space to slow down and reconnect.
In the upcoming weeks, a volunteer instructor from Yoga4All will begin facilitating the seated yoga sessions. They will be provided on a booked basis, and patients will be offered a set number of sessions.
This activity is just one part of the holistic support that Macmillan Cancer Support offers. As one of the UK’s leading cancer charities, Macmillan provides a vast range of practical, emotional, and financial support to people affected by cancer. From information centres and counselling services to benefits advice, support groups, and physical activity sessions. Macmillan’s aim is to help people live as fully as possible, whatever their circumstance.
The centre at MSEFT is a great example of this mission in action. In addition to yoga, they offer complementary therapies, information sessions and the opportunity to simply sit and have a coffee with someone who understands. Whether people drop in for advice or attend regularly for group activities, the centre is evidently a valued resource for the local community.
This visit, like many others I have made during this project, highlighted the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces for people to manage their physical and emotional recovery. Individuals were not just being supported, but they were actively engaging in their own wellbeing, at their own pace, in an environment where they felt understood.
For more information regarding Macmillan Cancer Support, please visit their website: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/
Beth Pittuck,
Research Officer