A charity is providing a haven away from hospital, offering patients holistic therapies, counselling and support. SARA NELSON reports on the work of the Complementary Cancer Care Trust.

FOR nearly six years, patients, familes, carers and friends whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses have turned to the trust.

Based in St Mary's Church, Manor Road, Bexley, the organisation provides complementary therapies including acupuncture, aromatherapy, reiki and reflexology, which work alongside medical treatments.

The trust, which is part of the south east London Cancer Network, also provides counselling services for both patients and their families, home visits for the frail and vulnerable and weekly support groups.

Chairman Sheila Botwright has 25 years of experience in the field of complementary treatments and has seen more than 400 patients, carers and family members come through her doors since June 2000.

She said: "This is all very much pulled together because of my belief in complementary work.

"We provide therapies for any stage of care.

"We work alongside medicine, not instead of it, and we provide relief from the side-effects of treatment which can include pain, nausea and hot flushes."

The trust, which is one of the only organisations of its kind in south east London and north Kent, serves the Bexley community within a 12-mile radius and receives clients from local health authorities, GPs and personal referrals.

Last year, it was awarded the Kent Volunteers' Award for Volunteering Excellence for its contribution and support to people in the community affected by cancer.

Mary Webb, of Latham Road, Bexleyheath, has been using the Trust's services for two years.

The 57-year-old mother-of-three was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago and has seen the disease return twice.

Mrs Webb, who is currently receiving chemotherapy at Guy's Hospital in London, says the trust's services complement her medical treatment.

The former hairdresser said: "Chemotherapy puts toxins into the body and alternative therapies release them.

"Additionally you just cannot underestimate the emotional support you get from this. I find it an absolute godsend.

"I don't know how I would have survived the past two years."

She added: "I really think I would have gone under if it hadn't been for the trust."

The organisation receives corporate funding and holds annual fundraising events as well as coffee mornings, sponsored walks and collections at supermarkets.

As the trust is dependent on donations, Mrs Botwright is keen to encourage more support and sponsorship to cover its £50,000-per-year running costs.

She said: "We are giving a service to the community and the authorities do use our expertise.

"But as a non-profit making charity in the voluntary sector we are not getting the funding or acknowledgement I think we deserve.

"Some of the people we see need somewhere to talk.

"We would like to raise funding for a drop-in centre."

Trust members

  • Mrs Botwright says the trust is hoping to secure funding for a three-year rental lease, costing approximately £12,000 a year to give members more privacy and space.
  • If you can help or want to learn more about the trust, call Mrs Botwright on 01322 524079, email enquiries@ccctrust.org or visit the website ccctrust.org
  • Membership to the trust costs between £10 and £25 per year and is dependent on the stage of your illness as well as your financial circumstances.
  • Members benefit from counselling, support groups and home visits and for an additional £9, weekly sessions offering holistic therapies, refreshments and workshops.