A warm welcome to The Living Tree!
We are a self-help support group for people who have experienced cancer and for their families/carers. Our group is based in Bridport and is open to anybody affected by cancer from West Dorset, East Devon and South Somerset.
We are all at different stages of cancer or caring for someone with cancer. All our activities are free of charge.
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The Friday Drop-in
We meet weekly on a Friday afternoon over a cup of tea in comfortable surroundings at the Friends Meeting House, South Street, Bridport between 1pm and 4pm. Our Drop-ins involve weekly mindfulness or gentle exercise, a speaker or demonstration, and time for refreshments, chat, and sharing experiences. You are welcome to drop in for any part of the afternoon – not everyone can spare the full two hours! Also, everyone is free to “pick and mix”, there is no obligation or even expectation to attend each and every Friday. In fact, the Living Tree supports members who never attend meetings at all.
We have a programme of speakers and therapists on a wide variety of relevant topics such as complementary therapies, exercise, relaxation, diet and nutrition, creative arts for those with cancer, NHS support. We’ve had talks and demonstrations on Dorset Cancer Care, acupuncture, reflexology, soul midwives, diet and nutrition, homeopathy, Qigong, as well as art, paper crafts, singing and playing the ukulele! See what we’ve been up to in our recent newsletters.
Our Allotment
We began meeting in November 2020 and have gradually been turning two pieces of grass and mud into two allotment plots. Meeting outdoors and growing healthy vegetables and fruits is the icing on the cake. However, the very special thing about it is that a group of people meet each week and have fun and banter and chat and support each other when they need it. Some weeks we’ve had music, other weeks we’ve had talks, but generally we potter, doing as little or as much as everyone wants or feels able to do.
We will definitely repeat our harvest supper evening when we all gathered and cooked our produce outside together and one of our musically talented members wrote and played music. It was such a lovely evening with such a lovely atmosphere.
Read more about our allotment! Take a look at our gallery for images of our activities at the allotment. There are also monthly updates in our newsletters.
Take a look at our Gallery!
Other Living Tree Activities
Table Tennis
Mondays & Fridays
Salway Ash Village Hall
Living Tree Table Tennis at Salway Ash Village Hall takes place on Mondays from 10-11.30am.
Please bring your own bat, but we do have some available if you don't have one; balls are provided. Please bring your own drink too. The hall is well ventilated and we still carry out cleaning before and after the session and use clean balls for each game.
If you would like to attend, please contact us mail@thelivingtree.org.uk as numbers are limited due to hall capacity.
Bridport Leisure Centre
We also play social table tennis at Bridport Leisure Centre in the Rugby Pavilion from 10:30-12 noon every Friday. All are welcome, bats and balls supplied, just bring your enthusiasm. People of all abilities are welcome.
For more details contact mail@thelivingtree.org.uk
Our Allotment
Wednesdays
We meet at our allotment opposite St Catherine’s School every Wednesday morning between 10am and 12 noon. All are welcome at the allotment, whether you know nothing or a lot about gardening.
It is very informal, sometimes with tea and cake. There is no need to book, just turn up. Everyone is welcome and we are very mindful to keep everyone safe. Read more about our allotment.
We are grateful to Finnis Scott Foundation for their grant enabling us to improve our allotment for our members.
Splash Club
Thursdays
Living Tree Splash Club is held at Highland’s End, Eype. It occurs weekly on Thursday evenings from 7-8pm.
All members, partners and carers are welcome. You can bring one guest.
For further details please contact us: mail@thelivingtree.org.uk
Buddies
The trustees would like to extend the Telephone Support Service to include one to one, face to face contacts for anyone who feels they would like some company occasionally, especially those who may just be coming out of isolation/quarantine or who may be new to LT.
If you would like to volunteer to be such a contact or would like to meet up with somebody from Living Tree, please email mail@thelivingtree.org.uk or phone and leave a message on 07341 916976 with your name and phone number and we will get back to you.
Whist Drive
2nd Friday of each month
At St Swithun’s Church Hall, North Allington, Bridport on the 2nd FRIDAY of each month.
You do not need a partner! Prizes for High-Card points and great Raffle Prizes! All proceeds go towards the running of the Whist Drive; any surplus monies will be donated to the Living Tree.
Whist Drive – Improvers 7pm – 7.15pm
Whist Drive – Experienced Players from 7pm (starts promptly at 7.30pm)
IMPROVERS: Sessions will be held 7pm - 7.15pm for improvers to offer help and support to those who are interested in becoming proficient in the game and/or encourage those who lack confidence to participate at game level. Beginners and improvers will not be permitted to play at game level. We offer 'whist card playing coaching' to members and volunteers.
WHIST DRIVE ENTRANCE FEES: Whist Drive – £6 on the door to include 1 raffle ticket. Refreshments included.
OTHER GAMES: Other games, such as Bridge, Canasta and Cribbage can be played, and tables to facilitate this will be made available – speak to Tan or Denise to arrange.
CONTACT: Tan on 0752 818 9815 or Denise on 0777 466 0645.
Amblers Walks
Varying weekdays
The Amblers walks, which are are based in and around the Bridport area, take place once or twice a month, are weather-dependent and vary in length from around 2-6miles as well as level of difficulty. The walks offer you the opportunity for exercise in the fresh air, to explore the natural world, to relax, to talk and to make new friends.
We usually take a refreshment break along the way, either in a local cafe or bring our own light picnic. You are advised to wear appropriate footwear and clothing.
If you would like to join us or for more information, please email Jo Corban josephine58@icloud.com or phone the Living Tree on 07341 916976 to leave a message and your phone number.
Therapists Partnership
In February 2020 we launched our partnership with local complementary therapists.
The therapists in Partnership with The Living Tree are able to offer their services in person, by telephone, email or Zoom. Read more about the therapists.
If you feel you would like to use these therapists via the Therapist Partnership please contact Ann Jeffrey via LTTP@thelivingtree.org for more information.
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