The Sara Lee Trust, is an independent charity accommodated within St Michael’s Hospice which provides complementary therapy to people with a diagnosis of cancer, motor neurone disease and HIV/Aids.  Referrals are made via professionals involved in patients care. 

The importance of complementary therapy in helping to support and enhance the quality of life of people coping with serious illnesses is now widely acknowledged as an integral part of palliative care. 

The Centre offers non-hospice and hospice patients (within the Hospice and via home visits), a range of complementary therapies including:

• Acupuncture
• Aromatherapy
• Counselling
• Reflexology
• Relaxation
• Shiatsu
• Visualisation

In addition, The Sara Lee Trust provides:

Creative Therapies:

Natural Rhythms

Which offers patients an opportunity to express and share their feelings creatively, putting aside their illness and being part of a bigger picture – nature with its natural rhythms.  Attendees are invited to meet in various settings in the Sussex countryside, for eight weekly sessions within each season.  With Sara Lee facilitators, the group is encouraged to create and explore using a variety of creative media – poetry, pictures, visualisation, music and of course, nature.

Sanctuary Days

We currently offer 12 sanctuary days each year, 4 of which have the option of an overnight stay at a local countryside retreat providing time away from ordinary living to refresh and revitalize.  Each day is designed to create and hold a safe space in which people may find the freedom for personal reflection, exploration, relaxation and nourishment.  There is an opportunity to explore creative expression through a variety of mediums, and therapies such as reflexology, aromatherapy and therapeutic touch are also offered during the day.  Patients may wish to spend some time in quietness and solitude, or share in the community of the other participants.  Each person is encouraged to listen deeply to his or her own inner needs for the day and respond freely to them.

To find out more about The Sara Lee Trust and the services it offers please contact 01424 456 608 or email: saraleecentre@stmichaelshospice.com or visit their website www.saraleetrust.org