A COVENTRY hospital is calling for trained therapists to volunteer their services to help local cancer patients.
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW) is urging local therapists qualified in aromatherapy, Indian head massage, reflexology and massages to give up half a day a month to offer complementary therapies in University Hospital’s Arden Cancer Centre.
Patients are able to chose which, if any, therapies they would like – with some having therapies during their treatment while others wait until the end.
Current patient at the Arden Cancer Centre, Marian Miller, said the sessions help take her mind off her treatment.
She added: “Before I was very tense and now I am really chilled.
“I would definitely recommend it – they are nice ladies who talk to you, and the benefits are relaxation, and you feel a bit better for being pampered and the feeling of well-being.
“It makes a nice change from the medical treatments.”
The local NHS Trust are not the first in the country to encourage therapists to volunteer their time to help cancer patients, nor is the move a result of national cuts to the NHS.
All volunteer therapists are asked to have their own insurance and to commit to at least half a day a month.
In return, UHCW will provide them with an induction and training, all equipment, a uniform, and free parking for their volunteering shift.
Applications can be made online at www.uhcw.nhs.uk/work-with-us/volunteers by filling in an application pack or for more information, contact Julia Biggs, Macmillan Radiotherapy Specialist, on [email protected]
