Fundraise & Get Involved

We need to raise over £8 million every year to provide outstanding Hospice care to the local community. To get involved with our fundraising activities, design your own, or make a donation, use the information on this page.

Complementary Therapies

There is an increasing evidence base for the role of complementary therapies in helping to promote relaxation and wellbeing; ease anxiety, physical pain and distress as well as helping to improve self-confidence.

Volunteer and Patient
At Living Well, we offer a number of different Complementary Therapies to patients and carers which may help you with:
  • Sleeping better
  • Relaxing and coping with anxiety
  • Aches and pains
  • Headaches
  • Feeling sick (nausea)
  • Higher energy levels
  • Caring for yourself
  • Managing side effects of treatment
  • Your wellbeing
Who are our complementary therapists?

All of our complementary therapies are given by experienced volunteer therapists who are all fully qualified. Our sessions are available several times throughout the week. They are free to patients and those important to them.

How to book into these therapies?

All appointments can be booked through our Living Well team, who will be happy to explain more about the therapies and answer any questions you may have.

What Complementary Therapies do you offer and what should I expect?

Reflexology

Reflexologists use their fingers and thumbs to massage specific pressure points on your hands and feet.  You therapist will centre on points on the foot that relate to other parts of the body. It may help relieve tension, increase relaxation and reduce aches and pains. You’ll need to remove your shoes and socks so that the therapist will massage your hands and/or feet. Each session lasts for 20-30 minutes.

Reiki

Reiki is a nurturing, harmonising and balancing form of energy treatment. It is non-intrusive, and very gentle using universal energy to treat the body and mind. Reiki encourages balance throughout your body, mind and spirit. It may help to relieve anxiety and stress and leave you feeling deeply relaxed and calm. The therapist will use ‘natural energy’ through a light touch either on or just above your body. You’ll be fully clothed, lying comfortably on a couch or sitting in a chair. You might feel a mild tingling, pleasant warmth, or refreshing coolness. Each session lasts for around 30 minutes.

Massage

Our massage therapists use light touch massage to ease aches and pains and reduce your stress levels. Your therapist will help you select soothing aromatherapy oils for use during your massage, to encourage you to feel peaceful and relaxed. Your therapist will massage your hands, head, shoulders or feet. Each session lasts for 20-30 minutes.

Qi Gong (Energy Exercise)

The Qi Gong group is a slow, gentle form of movement which can be practised either in sitting or standing. It is part of Chinese Medicine now widely practised in the UK for it’s health benefits which include :

Improved balance and joint movement.

Reduction in blood pressure.

Mental and physical relaxation.

Reduction of anxiety levels.

The repetition of movements along with breathing techniques makes this a very relaxing form of movement to practise, and each person moves only within their own pain free range.

Comfortable clothes and soft flat shoes should be worn.

Hand Massage

A form of massage in which parts of the hands are rubbed by a masseuse using their fingers and knuckles. A hand massage aims to relax and calm. These sessions usually last between 20-30 minutes.

Yoga

The Yoga group focuses on strength, flexibility and breathing to boost physical and mental wellbeing. The group works through a series of movements designed to increase strength, flexibility and breathing.

Time to Be

Time to Be is a space where you can be supported to develop coping mechanisms as well as learn a range of relaxation techniques. Sessions aim to help people achieve a sense of calm and well-being and self-acceptance, by providing a place where they can address difficulties they are facing. It is an alternative to more traditional counselling that some people might be less inclined to want or need. It does not prevent someone from going on to access counselling at a later stage. Sessions are currently being held online, virtually via Zoom. The sessions are approx. 45 minutes long and you will be supported by a Time to be volunteer who will take you through a series of guided relaxation techniques.

Find out more