By Hannah Daws | Communications Director
Breast Cancer Haven September 2019 update
Saying farewell to our London centre
After nearly 20 years in our building in South West London, Breast Cancer Haven is moving to a different part of the capital this September.
The charity started its life in a converted Victorian church in the leafy, quiet neighbourhood of Fulham in 2000. Since that time, the London centre has helped nearly 20,000 women and men get through the toughest time of their lives by providing tailored counselling and therapies. Breast Cancer Haven has also expanded over the past two decades, opening four other centres in Leeds, Hereford, Fareham and Solihull, as well as a small network of hospital outreach services.
A superb new building has been secured in the burgeoning and revitalised district of King’s Cross and St Pancras in central London. Within easy reach of major transport hubs and hospital we expect to double the numbers of people we can help from the London area.
While we wait for this new building to be refurbished, our London services will be moved to temporary accommodation in Baron’s Court in West London so there is no interruption to the vital support so many people need after a breast cancer diagnosis.
Regular updates our building will be available on our website.
Breast Cancer Haven research highlights the importance of not for profit organisations
We are always looking to improve our services for those affected by breast cancer. As part of this we have recently conducted a study looking into how third sector organisations, like us, can help women and men get through what can be the toughest time of their lives.
The research looked at what support our visitors expect from us, what they want and need from us, and what support they find most helpful.
We found that the most frequent concerns our users have are emotional (77.6%) and physical (67.2%), while what our users expect and hope for when they visit us is information and advice, emotional support, a therapeutic space and therapeutic relationships.
The most helpful services that we offer, according to our users, are information, nutritional therapy, acupuncture and counselling.
Every year around 55,670 people are diagnosed with breast cancer and this research highlights once again the importance of complementary therapies.
Although there we are always looking to improve, we are very pleased that 84% of our users at Breast Cancer Haven either get what they expected from us, or much more than they expected. One of our visitors who participated in the survey had this to say:
“It literally was a life changing experience for me. From the moment the girls at reception greeted you, you immediately felt safe. Everything was geared to me as an individual. It didn’t matter if you became upset, everyone understood why. It was such a relief to me.”
The Big Tea Cosy campaign raises over $60,274
Breast Cancer Haven’s The Big Tea Cosy campaign in 2019 has raised a total of $60,274in support of those affected by breast cancer. This means that since the campaign started in 2016 the total raised is $205,000.
The annual event, which takes place up and down the country in March, sees volunteers and fundraisers host tea parties with friends, families and colleagues.
Every year around 55,200 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK, that's around 150 every day. Men get breast cancer too with around 470 new cases being diagnosed each year. So many of these people will need our specialised support to help them through the toughest time of their lives.
The funds raised help us provide these vital services to even more people affected by this devastating disease.
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