Acupuncture ClinicAxminster and Lyme Cancer Support March 2024 March has been an incredibly busy month here…
Newsletter No.52 – December 2022
I think I wrote last year about how quickly time had flown, this year yet again we find ourselves in December, reflecting on 2022 with disbelief another year has passed.
It really has been an unprecedented year both personally, for ALCS, regionally, nationally and globally. No one could have predicted the impact of the pandemic on cancer care, diagnosis and outcome. We are so incredibly blessed to have both our primary care teams and hospitals supporting and guiding all through the horrid impact of a diagnosis of cancer. Hopefully 2023 will see a calmer time and allow for some catch up across the board.
This year our team has grown and I would like to say a huge thank you to all those who work with me to enable ALCS to do what we do.
A special thank you to Bruce who patiently supports all I do and nudges me to come away from the computer at the end of the day.
Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas, and hoping 2023 is a kind and gentle one.
In this edition
- Thank you
- New Therapist
- Become an ALCS Volunteer
- Stanley Studios
- Pie & Pint
- Acupuncture Clinic
- Active Treatment Drop-in
- Drop in Sessions
- Poem
- Online Shop
- Ways to support and connect with ALCS
- Beach Hut
- 2023 Events January – April
Thank you
Thank you to Axe Valley Academy Coram House who raised £80.00 for ALCS at their Christmas in the Quad event. They sold our Christmas Cards and Recipe books at their annual Christmas event.
Thank you
Thank you also to Lyme Regis Loving Dog Owners & Visitors & Friends who raised £55 by doing a photoshoot on the beach. Owners and their four legged friends came together to raise money . They have regular get togethers and information can be found on their Facebook page. Thank you to Debbie Conibere for organising this event.
New Therapist – Paula Haynes Health & Wellbeing
As a Health and Wellbeing Coach my aim is to support and empower clients in making positive changes to improve their health and take back control of their life. I also practice reflexology and aromatherapy, which can also be integrated with health coaching.
www.aromareflex.com
Aromareflexsomerset@gmail.com
Meet the Therapist -Rob Powell – Counselling and Psychotherapy
I have a science back ground and a further qualification in ‘integrative counselling’. I offer talking therapy at Hogchester Farm which is held as a nature reserve. My approach is ‘person centred’ therapy which means we can talk about all and any concerns that you have. I have a secluded counselling room in a beautiful therapy garden.
I’m delighted to be joining the team of therapists available to ALCS. People often come to Counselling at key junctures in their life – when the world has been turned upside down and nothing feels like it will be quite the same again. We can feel incredibly lost and isolated in such moments. Sadly these life events are common to us all and we all have to wrestle with the profound ups and downs of it all. Counselling can support people in moments of transition by creating a safe and set aside space where anything and everything can be opened up and explored. It turns out that we have more capabilities and strength inside us than we knew about and we can draw on these to embrace the future and find our courage!
I love my work as a councillor which few councillors actually seem to take the trouble to tell people. I am often personally inspired by the honesty and humanity of my clients. As for my practice there are many labels that could describe my work, ‘person centred’, ‘existentialist’ and others. But what I really do is simply listen in a unique way and help you understand your most genuine thoughts feelings about the situation you are in. From that vantage point people often find they are more able to know what they need, how to cope with what they are facing and what choices they need to make.
I practice at Hogchester farm which is organised more around being a nature reserve than a farm. Clients are welcome to take a walk in nature before or after a session to prepare or let things sink. In the summer the wild flower meadows are open to the public to enjoy that sumptuous habitat. We are deep in winter as a write but the dormant meadows are already primed to explode back into life in the spring. It’s a good metaphor for the seasons of our own life’s and if this is a troubling moment then you most welcome to sit with me and I will sit with you.
rob@hogchester.com 07714291846 www.hogchester.com
Do you wish to become an ALCS Volunteer?
We are looking for more wonderful volunteers to help with drop-in, workshops, creative events and fundraising. Could that be you?
We have a new volunteer training session on Tuesday 10th January 2-4pm. Please note that we ask that clients who wish to volunteer are 12 months after treatment has ended.
A volunteer form can be downloaded via the website. To register your interest for the training event please click here.
Creative Writing
Online Creative Writing Course with Ninette Hartley
11am-12.30pm
January 11, 18, 25th
February 1, 8, 15, 22nd
March 1st
These are all on zoom
Please register your interest with Mary.
Further information will be sent in the new year.
A journalling six week course for clients, working through a beautiful creative handbook with Sharon Thomas click here to view her website
The course will run on the following dates – Thursday 10.00-12.00 12th,19th,26th January 2nd,9th and 16th February.
To register your interest please click here
Re-arranged Workshop “Create a Hand Painted Leather Keyring” with Jools Woodhouse. – Thursday 12th January 2.00 – 4.00pm
In this 2 hour workshop, Jools will give a brief demo of how she creates a colourful beach hut keyring as sold on the ALCS shop.
Using acrylic paints and a small leather square, you will create your own to take home.
Once the design is applied, we will punch a hole and add a stainless steel keychain- your Keyring is ready to go!
If time allows, a spare kit will be available for you to create a custom design!
No experience is necessary and all materials are provided
Click here to register your interest
Metal Embossing a notebook with Elsa Grigg
Metal embossing is created using simple hand tools as if they were a pencil, pressing a design into a thin sheet of metal which can range from pewter and brass to copper and aluminium.
Different surface treatments can add to the depth, texture and or colour of the design.
Once the metal is embossed you can frame your work of art or apply it to a wide variety of surfaces.
It’s an incredibly relaxing craft that doesn’t take up too much space so you can easily continue it at home!
To register your interest please click here.
Wednesday 18th January 10am-12noon Metal Embossing with a notebook
Acrylic Art Workshops – With Trudi Ochiltree
Learn how to paint in acrylics and be inspired by a variety of subjects and techniques. Acrylics are a popular medium as they are versatile and forgiving. In each workshop we will paint a particular subject, working from a choice of images. Your tutor Trudi will offer demonstrations and help along the way. There are 6 workshops on offer you can sign up to one or all six.
Week 1 – Snowscapes: Working with a limited palette: 2nd March 2023 10-12noon
Week 2 – The Dorset landscape: Exploring shades of green: 9th March 10-12noon
Week 3 – Acrylic patterns and abstraction, creating a series of mini paintings: 16th March 10-12noon
Week 4 – Seascapes: Creating texture and the colour of the sea: 23rd March 10-12noon
Week 5 – Palette knife painting: A freeing way of painting without a paint brush: 30th March 10-12noon
Week 6 – Animals: Create a painting of an endangered species or your favourite animal. Bring your own image to work from if you prefer: 20th April 10-12noon.
Click here to register your interest.
MEN ONLY – JOIN US FOR PIE & PINT
(other food & drink available)
An opportunity to talk to other men affected by cancer and to ask any questions about the support we offer.
Tuesday 10th January
6.30pm
Location: Hunters Lodge Inn – Raymonds Hill with a selection of 5 different pies available.
Weekly acupuncture clinic on Mondays 4.00 – 5.30pm at Scott Rowe Room within Axminster Hospital.. This will be a group session and involve auricular acupuncture (around the outer ear). Hilary Sharp will be providing the acupuncture.
Particular benefits include helping to alleviate hot flushes, anxiety, dry mouth, and fatigue. Further information can be obtained from Hilary.
This support will be offered free of charge to registered clients. We do have have a max of 15 at each session which must be booked in advance. Please bring your own water. (Drinks will not be able to be supplied) Do contact us to be added to a waiting list should the online booking system show full.
9th January
16th January
23rd January
30th January
Active Treatment Drop-in Sessions
We hold monthly support group sessions for those about to start treatment, going through treatment or finished within the last 6 months. These will be run by Mary and Isabel to help support those going through cancer and make connections. Each month we plan will have a different theme or speaker and if you have any suggestions please let us know.
Monday 23rd January – Axminster Hospital Scott Rowe 12.30-1.30pm
If you would like to join us for a cuppa and a chat do please drop by.
Drop-in sessions for JANUARY
Monday 9th January – Axminster Hospital Scott Rowe 2-4pm
Monday 16th January – Lyme Regis Football Club 2-4pm
Monday 23rd January – Axminster Hospital Scott Rowe 2-4pm
Monday 30th January – Lyme Regis Football Club 2-4pm
In Celebration: An Ode to ALCS by Barbara
Five years it is since Mary Khan
Decided it could do no harm
To try to found a charity
To help the likes of you and me.
She asked around among her friends
And hoped to find the means and ends
To raise some funds for patients who,
In pain and fear, would be able to
Benefit from happy leisure
With pastimes to enjoy and treasure.
With volunteers to help her plan
The ALCS then began
To take some shape. Its early days
Were chat and coffee, sharing ways
To live beyond the shade of C.
To act with positivity.
Funds were raised and books were bought,
Mindfulness was sought and taught.
Jigsaws too were bought for loan
And done in comfort in the home.
Then “Ammonite” ‘s disruption meant
The Council’s money could be spent
On charities. Mary bid
And won the cash. What Karen did
Was suggest a beach hut, free to use
(About which often I enthuse).
The Pie and Pints, Forums and talks,
The therapies and Nordic Walks
Are blessings for us all to do.
To Mary, Donna, volunteers:
A big THANK YOU and MANY CHEERS.
Our Online Shop & Event Bookings
If you are looking for individual cards, or a bespoke gift locally made please do consider our online shop.
Hopefully we have made it easier for you to purchase beautifully illustrated blank cards, recipe books, key rings and CDs – all the money raised goes directly to help our clients.
Just add your items to the basket and go to the checkout which is now using Stripe payments but Paypal is still an option. If you have any problems please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.
Cards can be purchased at drop-in and local events or collection arranged.
Ways to support or connect with Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support
If you wish to donate online you can via a one off payment or a monthly donation. Just click the link below and follow the instructions or scan the QR code.
How to get involved with fundraising via Easyfundraising, Amazon Smile etc
Beach Hut – Last Minute Dates
Do look out for beach hut last minute dates on Facebook and the ALCS WhatsApp group going forward. Please send a text or WhatsApp to 07512 279663 to be added if you are an existing client. The new booking system is to try and relieve some of the admin work that goes into managing the hut and the confirmation and information is sent within the Eventbrite ticket, you can also manage your booking by cancelling any dates you are no longer able to use.
