Shining light on Cambridge Cancer Help Centre

Ever since the early days when support groups meetings were held one evening a month at a school in Blinco Grove, the Centre’s ethos has been to provide a safe space for people to meet and connect with each other in order to strongly support themselves throughout their cancer journeys – however long that support is needed.

A cancer diagnosis can often leave individuals (and those close to them) feeling isolated and unsure of where to turn for more information and for support. The Centre provides a warm welcome and access to a range of holistic activities to enhance mind, body and spirit during challenging times.

Now based at a purpose built Centre in the beautiful grounds of Scotsdales Garden Centre in Great Shelford, Julie Paterson (Charity Manager) and a team of dedicated trustees and volunteers have grown the support available in recent years.

What’s on offer?

The Centre is open from Monday to Wednesday from 10am until 4pm. Open to everyone, feel free to drop in and speak to one of the team. Free parking is available alongside the Centre based in the David Rayner Building.

The Centre offers a wide range of Courses, Cancer Support Groups, 1:1 Complementary Therapies, Activities, Dance and Fitness, and just a place for a cup of tea and a chat.

“I don’t know how I would have got through this time without the Centre”

Support

The Centre hosts a range of support groups that provide an opportunity to meet with others going through a similar experience and to hear, from specialist facilitators, about treatments, nutrition and self-help techniques. Many people find this makes them feel more in control of their situation and many long-term friendships have been forged through these groups. As an example, the Cambridge branch of the Urostomy association have been coming to the Centre for 13 years, with around 40-50 people now attending.

“Without the support of the centre, I think we would have to close our branch. The centre is a fantastic facility with free parking and great staff who work very hard in supporting people with cancer.”

We offer short courses including HOPE (Helping Overcome Problems Effectively) and the opportunity to meet with a MacMillan Benefits Advisor. The Centre also partners with groups like the Cambridge University Hospitals Cancer Support Team, Breast Cancer Now and Look Good Feel Better to offer workshops.

In 2025/6, we have held a series of talks on Nutrition led by Venetia Mitchell from Peach Health.

1:1 Therapies

A team of professional therapists offer a wide range of therapies to support and enhance during (and following) an individual’s clinical treatment programme. Medical consent from a consultant or GP is required to access these 1:1 therapies which offer relaxation and support for the body, mind and spirit.

The Centre is equipped with treatment rooms where the therapies can be offered in a quiet space. Examples of current therapies on offer include: Acupuncture, Bach Flower, Bowen and Reflexology.

“Therapists at the centre are very experienced in caring for those with cancer. We find that people often arrive in an anxious state but leave feeling better, having been listened to and received a treatment.”

Fitness

The Centre offers a range of dance and fitness groups which are great ways to get active and meet new people. All levels of fitness welcome. Increasingly studies are demonstrating that exercise can offer benefits to those on a cancer journey – easing fatigue and improving physical and mental wellbeing.

This year, the range of fitness classes on offer in the Centre has been increased to daily – including popular Dance and Fitness, Tai Chi, Yoga and Body Resistance. The Centre has also opened a new Fitness Suite – a safe space for members who may not feel comfortable visiting a gym to exercise.

Activities

The Centre offers a peaceful setting to enjoy a range of activities including Arts and Crafts and a range of social activities and events including quiz nights, film afternoons, summer seaside trips and coffee mornings.

In 2026, we are delighted to be offering a monthly miniature Art workshop – which is proving exceptionally popular.

Making it all happen

As a registered Charity (CIO), the Cambridge Cancer Help Centre is dependent on payments from members, donations, grants and fundraising to open the Centre and support over 400 people annually.

The Centre is incredibly grateful for all the generous donations and grants received. Recent donors have included: South Cambridgeshire County Council, the Rotary Club of Cambridge South, The Wates Family Enterprise Trust, The Edgar E Lawley Foundation, and the Cambridgeshire Freemasons.

In 2026, fundraising events have included participants running in the TTP Cambridge Half-Marathon and stands at the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend and Sawston Fun Run.

This year, the Centre also held its second annual cycle event in which 160 riders raised over £15000 by cycling 20, 40 or 60 miles through the Cambridgeshire countryside. The event was supported by our generous sponsors including Savills Cambridge, Scotsdales Garden Centre, Issured, Mantle Space and Galileo Publishing.

What are our aspirations for the future?

The Centre is seeking to build on the momentum of the last few years and deliver a larger, more diverse programme of support and activities.

In this our 40^th year, we are proud to be able to offer continued support for those living with Cancer in South Cambridgeshire and beyond. We are raising funds for a new moveable wall in the Centre to enable more activities to be held in parallel, and hope to be able to open on more days per week