As part of Beth’s research exploring life beyond cancer, she has been visiting a range of organisations and services that provide support for those living with and beyond cancer. These services play a vital role in helping people navigate the ongoing physical and emotional impact of cancer and/or its treatment. Beth is using this blog series to highlight what support is available across Essex and share some of the great work being done.
The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity supports individuals with any type of cancer at all stages, throughout treatment and once treatment is completed. The charity takes a holistic approach to wellbeing, providing both emotional and practical support in a relaxed and friendly setting. The support offered by the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity extends to families and those caring for someone with cancer too.
In January, my colleague Lorna (Research Officer) and I had the opportunity to visit one of the support centres in Harlow. The centre provided a warm and welcoming environment that offered a broad range of support services. The centre was a beautiful space, filled with friendly and caring staff and volunteers. It had several rooms which included equipment for reflexology and massages that are offered to clients for an enjoyable and calming treatment.
The centre also provides complementary therapies as well as a number of support groups and workshops. These include online yoga, coffee mornings, gardening and art activities, and mindfulness, all contributing to a sense of connection and wellbeing. They also run ‘Wiggle and Giggle’ classes which are active classes which encourage moving, singing and laughing. Workshops delivered by Look Good…Feel Better provide practical tips on makeup, skin and beauty care to help boost self-esteem, confidence and wellbeing of those undergoing treatment. These groups provide a safe and friendly space for individuals to talk, listen and share experiences with others who understand. Individuals are also offered the chance to seek practical support, with access to Macmillan advisers at the West Essex Coffee Mornings, who provide advice about the type of support individuals are entitled to.
Other available services include counselling, which is offered face-to-face, online or via telephone. The counselling sessions support both carers and individuals with a diagnosis to help navigate the experiences and emotions around a cancer diagnosis. They also host Nicola Jane bra fitting services for clients monthly at both the Mid and West Essex Centres, and reflexology at the Spire Brentwood and Spire Southend, as well as taster treatments twice a month at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.
For more information about the support groups you can access across Essex please visit the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity website here: https://www.helenrollason.org.uk/support-groups/
If you would like to make an appointment with the centre, you can call or visit them in person to book. Sessions are 45-minutes long and aim to provide support and care to clients. The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity also encourage walk-ins, offering a hot cup of tea, a friendly face to speak to or an opportunity to pick up information about the support available.
What stood out to me during my visit to the support centre was the gentle, person-centred approach that underpins everything they do. The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity is a great example of the kind of meaningful, ongoing support that can make a real difference in helping people living with and beyond cancer. They demonstrated that it’s not just about offering services, but also creating a space where people feel safe, understood and supported.
Clients have provided really positive feedback on the centre itself and the support they have received by the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity:
“I wasn’t sure that I wanted/needed Reflexology, but it is very relaxing and keeping in touch with the centre has made a huge difference to my mental health.
“Thank you all for being there for me.”
“This place is amazing, the staff are so attentive – they really do care. The treatments are extremely helpful.“
“As soon as you enter the centre there is a sense of calm. The receptionists are kind and the therapists have been incredible with their empathetic response to anything and everything I have thrown at them.”
“One of those places that, when you have a scary cancer diagnosis, softens the blow and helps you to continue a normal life knowing you have someone to turn to. Thank you.”
For further information about the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, and contact details please see this website: https://www.helenrollason.org.uk/
Beth Pittuck,
Research Officer