Our first trial was for 9 women who had all experienced cancer and was set at the beautiful California Barn, Swanage. The barn is set in 11 acres of beautiful, tranquil countryside that offers the opportunity to calm your mind and allow yourself to be nurtured, improving your well being. The retreat was led by Andrea Johnstone (HND B.A.C.P.) Transpersonal transformation Practitioner and all of the women reported having an amazing and very emotional experience.
Living with cancer is an incredibly tough experience for the person that has cancer and for all of their loved ones. Many of the people we have worked with over the past 30+ years have talked to us about how they have felt the need to "be strong" and "be brave" when tackling their cancer especially for their children. This alongside the illness and treatment has often left people physically and emotionally exhausted and very much in need of rest and personal space.
Our retreats offer people a holistic, nurturing and healing environment in which they can share their experiences and address some of the emotional toll that cancer has had on them and their family. Groups of ten people spend the weekend at the retreat relaxing and self healing, led by Andrea Johnstone (HND B.A.C.P.). Having the opportunity to share their worries, fears, hopes and dreams in workshops with others that are in similar a position has a cathartic effect lifting mood and hopes.
The long term effects of these retreats is to provide lasting support for people living with the effects of cancer. The relaxation and communication techniques learned on the retreat and the friendships formed offer people the opportunity to continue supporting one another for life. We aim to run at least 6 retreats per year enabling us to support at least 60 people per year.
