The Living Tree offers friendship, creative activities & holistic therapies, relevant diet & lifestyle information for anyone with any cancer. We offer mutual support, helping people cope with the fear, anxiety, isolation or stress that cancer can bring by offering a chance to unwind and share laughter (we do a lot of this!) and coping strategies. We also share our knowledge and information about services and resources in the locality.
There is currently no cancer care centre in Dorset to help people living with cancer take back control of their health and lifestyle. Our nearest centres are The Force in Exeter and the Penny Brohn Centre in Bristol. There are excellent disease specific support groups, usually supported by Clinical Nurse Specialists, but few are very local and some are quite a distance away in Poole.
MacMillan made a video of the Living Tree, its members, its activities and the way it works in the summer of 2019. Please watch it here.
We meet weekly on a Friday afternoon over a cup of tea in comfortable surroundings at the Friends Meeting House, South Street, Bridport between 2.00-4.30pm. As a rule, we have a speaker or demonstration first and finish the afternoon chatting, sharing experiences and exchanging thoughts. People are welcome to drop in for part of the afternoon – not everyone can spare the full two and a half 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 and tried out Qigong, as well as paper crafts, mindfulness, singing and playing the ukulele! We have regular gentle stretch & relaxation times. Please find our current programme (plus a few local events we think might be of interest) here.
The Living Tree was set up in October 2012. We became a charity in February 2013 but changed our status to small “community group” in July 2016. We were given a start-up grant for 2013 by Macmillan Cancer Support.
Past Events
Second September 2018 Newsletter
18 SEPTEMBER 2018LIVING TREE NEWSHi everyone,Jo’s celebration will take place at 3pm on Monday 8 October at Bridport United Church. The family have asked Living Tree to make a contribution and so at Friday’s meeting we decided to invite LT members to write a short...
Strollathon for STEPPING OUT, Saturday 28th April and Sunday 29th April 2018
Invitation to join Roz Copson invites you to join her on two days of strolling in and around Bridport to raise money for our Stepping Out programme. A 10 stage, 15 mile walk over 2 days by, and for, the participants of Stepping Out & Living Tree. The more of us,...
Cancer Research Consulting Baby Boomers
On 9 March Living Tree members of Baby Boomer age talked to a Cancer Research team, consisting of Ros, Claire and Palona about their opinions/experiences with cancer treatment. Lunch was provided.
Southampton Hospital’s Cancer Research Laboratories
On 12 March 2018 Sherry and Monique visited Southampton Hospital's Cancer Research Laboratories. They were shown around and marvelled at the technology available. The centrepiece was a B-Cell Receptor Detection Machine. This piece of equipment counts individual cells...
Cancer Research with questions for baby boomers
Friday 9th March 12.00-2.00pm (before Living Tree) at Quaker Meeting House, Ros Fry and three of her colleagues from CANCER RESEARCH who are investigating motivations and awareness of the “baby boomers” (born 1947-1964 but it’s not rigid) want to spend some time...
Members of Dorset Community Foundation at Stepping Out
Monday 12th March at STEPPING OUT, six ambassadors from Dorset Community Foundation (who gave us £3000 last year for SO) will be visiting us. They will arrive about 11am at the Pavilion and then stay over lunch till 12.30pm to talk to us about SO. If you usually go...
Live your Life Workshop on 18 April in Dorchester
‘LIVE YOUR LIFE – living with and beyond lymphoma’ free WORKSHOP is being held on Wednesday 18th April 9.30am-4pm at Dorchester Town Football Club, lunch included. To find out more or to register to attend, please call 01296 619406 or email:...
Ambling not far from home
On 27 February 2018, a few brave souls wrapped up warm and faced the cold weather.
Hula Hoopathon on 4 February 2018
Fun was had by all at the 12-hour Hula Hoopathon at Bridport Leisure Centre. Surprising what you can do with a hoop when you put your mind, hands and hips to it...Follow this link to see hula hoopers in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f0Wup8jE24 The event...
LT AMBLERS Special Walk, postponed to Tuesday 10 April, 10 am
Guided nature walk around Allington Hill Weather and conditions underfoot permitting, the Allington Hillbillies are hosting a guided nature walk around Allington Hill for us, rounding off the walk around a bonfire with hot drinks. New and regular walkers all very...
TSB Coffee and Spin Event on 6 February
Friday, 26 January 2018. Art with Gill Hulse
The results of an afternoon well-spent with Gill Hulse, making glass sculptures.