A new cancer centre which offers vital support to patients and their families in a "warm and welcoming" atmosphere has opened its doors.
Maggie's Centre, which prides itself as being a "home away from home", has been built on the grounds of the Velindre Cancer Centre in Whitchurch, Cardiff.
Health professionals and volunteers are on hand at the centre to provide practical, emotional and social support to anyone affected by cancer across south east Wales - not just current patients at Velindre.
With a kitchen table at its heart, the centre was designed by award-winning architect Dow Jones to give visitors a calm and relaxing experience far removed from a clinical hospital setting.
Centre head and oncologist specialist nurse, Sam Holliday, said: "Maggie's is designed for people to feel comfortable, just like they're in someone's living room.
"It's an amazing space to work in. Every day I feel very privileged to be in such a lovely building.
"And it's wonderful to see the transformational impact it has on people when they walk through the door."
As well as having a vibrant orange exterior clad in corrugated weathering steel, the centre features two bright and stylishly decorated private rooms, a small library and an intimate roof-lit space aptly named "The Cwtch".
Maggie's Cardiff provides:
- Cancer and treatment information;
- Cancer-specific support groups;
- Help with understanding and claiming benefits;
- Exercise and nutrition groups;
- Support for family and friends;
- Bereavement support;
-
Relaxation and stress management.
Despite Maggie's Cardiff still being in its infancy, it has already built up a busy schedule of weekly events, including art therapy classes, Tai Chi and pampering sessions.
In June alone it had 690 people through its doors.
"There are no uniforms, no signs on the doors and no clocks," added Sam.
"We want to empower people to make a choice about how long they're here for, rather than giving them a set time like at a hospital appointment.
"It's a place to gather your thoughts - with some help from us if needs be - and put things in some sort of order."
Dad Peter Andrews, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December last year, has been visiting Maggie's several times a week since it opened in May.
He said the centre has been a welcome escape from the cancer treatment and frequent hormone injections he was told to carry out by his doctors.
"After my cancer diagnosis, I've found that my brain just doesn't switch off. It doesn't stop whirring with all the things you have on your mind," said the Tremorfa resident.
"At Maggie's you can come in at any time for a coffee and a chat, and just lose yourself for a couple of hours.
"It's a really nice, airy place and the staff are so accommodating."
Volunteers Evan Thomas and Pauline Lawrence said being a part of the Maggie's setup was incredibly rewarding.
Evan, who has chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), said: "Everyone who comes in likes the building. There are a lot of quiet rooms for people to sit down in, but there are also plenty of activities organised.
"When people first come in they can be a little frightened, but soon enough they're chatting away and you can't get rid of them."
It is understood that the annual running costs for Maggie's Cardiff will be an estimated £500,000 a year, so fundraising will be a huge part of the centre's plans.
There are 22 Maggie's Centres across the UK, with one already based on the site of Singleton Hospital in Swansea. They are all independently run but work in partnership with the NHS.
For more details, go maggiescentres.org to call 02922 408024.
