What’s on offer

"Something positive to look forward to…"

We have a variety of workshops, lectures and specialist clinics lined up, mindful that ‘one size does not fit all’ and that you are likely to have different needs and preferences. Our team at Living Well will gladly guide you through the choices, to tailor a programme that is right for you. Here are some of the highlights on offer:

Workshops:

The workshops offer a group setting, with the often unexpected benefit of shared experience and support, along with a wealth of information and expert guidance. All are free of charge to LOC patients. Aside from key themes, highlights of these morning sessions include the delicious and nutritious lunch, prepared by our chef for Living Well and the exercise and meditation sessions, which offer you the chance to participate and ‘get active’

1). Post treatment (0 to 6 months) workshop – Moving forwards…

"If only I had been offered this as treatment ended"

This is what a former patient said when they revisited us and saw our pilot programme. The response was common to many of our participants in our Cancer Transitions pilot six week course. They suggested that we bridge the transition back to everyday life following treatment, to address and prevent the distress and uncertainty that often occurs.

For those that have recently finished treatment, this new one-off workshop is designed to address immediate post treatment concerns. We hope it will help you to get life back on track, with our team of specialists in physical and emotional wellbeing. We will meet up again a month later, to give you the opportunity to tell us how you are getting on and for us to provide ongoing support.

2). Carers workshop – Caring for the carers…

"I put all my energies into getting John through treatment. Now I just want life to go back to normal, but it isn’t"

By popular demand, we are making it a priority to care for your carers. Following the success of the pilot workshop, we will offer regular workshops for your loved ones (partner, spouse, child over 18, or whoever is your primary carer).

Research is increasingly recognizing the burden and difficulties facing carers and we believe much can be done to alleviate this, by addressing their concerns, be they medical, emotional or practical. Our experts will tackle a range of topics, from lifestyle guidance, to emotional wellbeing and dealing with anxiety, intimacy and communication, be it with children, family and friends. We hope this will provide a good opportunity to hear from our specialists and learn from each other, how best to tackle life going forward and feel better supported

3). Moving-On – Embracing life post treatment…

"I’ve realized that it’s not just about going back to life as I knew it. I’ve cut down my hours in the office, I’m partly working from home now… and I’m enjoying a good game of tennis"

This six week course is designed to address your physical, psychological, practical and spiritual concerns. Each week we address a different theme from exercise to healthy eating, to coping emotionally to medical effects of treatment. The over-riding theme is of being engaged and proactive. Our team of experts includes specialists in exercise, meditation, nutrition, sexual health, and complementary therapies alongside our clinical team of oncologists and nurses. The camaraderie and support offered by fellow attendees has a powerful effect in connecting participants. Participants report a greater sense of general wellbeing physically and emotionally…..and often unexpected transformation – new found confidence, for example. We follow up a month later, to see how you are getting on.

Ideally, we suggest that you commit to this programme, when you are 3-24months post treatment.

4). Specialist workshops – Time to explore...

"I am confused… it’s all very well putting quinoa in my supermarket trolley, but what do I do with it?..."

These specialist workshops give you time to explore in greater depth key areas. For example, healthy eating from shopping, to preparing, to cooking to eating, our experts will impart their knowhow alongside our Living Well chef.

Other specialist workshops include coping skills, where we provide practical tips on dealing with the myriad of uncertainties – everything from relationships with loved ones, to pressure of work, to facing the ‘new normal.’ The experience in this group setting, normalises much of what patients’ experience, leaving them feeling reassured, less isolated and better able to cope.

Future workshops will include a range of topics from sexuality and intimacy with our expert in sexual health, to side effects of treatment and symptom control, to chi gong and meditation. Truly, something to suit all…

Specialist clinics:

"Am I ready to start exercising?….will it affect my scar?….how should I start?"

For our patients who would like one to one advice from our experts we are holding a series of clinics, for example in exercise, movement and meditation. We will be offering clinics free of charge, to our LOC patients. The individual consultations will act as a ‘taster’ to help you get started or further your goals.

Lecture series:

To allow us to reach a larger group of LOC patients and address key topics of interest in a social setting, we will offer a series of lectures. For example, addressing lifestyle choices, offering inspirational stories and keeping abreast of updates nationally and internationally with guest speakers.

Information:

"I would have found it really helpful to speak with someone who had been through my treatment… without peering round the curtain in the treatment suite"

We will develop our resources, to give Living Well pointers. For example, from the suggestions that have been made to us, a Living Well website offering recipes and exercises and maybe even a ‘buddy system’ to share your experiences and provide support? We welcome your involvement and input to get this right.

Medical services and referrals:

"With all my appointments, it sometimes feels like a military operation….there’s no time to organise anything else"

We will gladly liaise on your behalf, to set up one to one consultations with our specialists at Living Well or with our expert speakers or other practitioners. Our aim is to take the pressure off you, to facilitate and help you navigate your care.

Feasting at Living Well:

"Each week as 1 o’clock approached, the anticipation grew as to what delicious treat awaited us – the food was colourful, nutritious and bursting with flavor – a real inspiration for those of us trying to get our eating back on track"

A wonderful opportunity to break bread together, the lunches are an integral part of our workshops, prepared by our inspiring chef. Based on your feedback, we plan to provide you with take home recipes….and hopefully a Living Well cookery book.

Your feedback and ideas:

For the future, we want to hear your ideas as we develop our programme. It is our real hope and vision that Living Well permeates every aspect of your care.

Looking to the future...

We are mindful that to evolve, grow and sustain the programme as we would like, funding and resources will be key. We therefore intend to set up a charitable foundation, to ensure that we can continue to provide services free of charge. Our goal is to unite patients and offer this support to all. Your support for this has been our driving force and we look forward to growing a powerful ’Friends of Living Well’ group to ensure that we continue to thrive