People with cancer invited to sign up for new fitness and wellbeing service

People with cancer are being invited to register their interest in a pioneering fitness, nutrition and wellbeing programme funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The new Active Together service offers free, personalised fitness, nutrition and wellbeing support to help people with cancer respond to and recover from treatment, with an aim to increase the likelihood of survival and reduce the risk of cancer coming back.

Based at the new Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre at Hornbeam Park in Harrogate, the service will open to patients in November 2023.

Dr Louise Flanagan, Head of Services at Yorkshire Cancer Research said: “We are looking forward to welcoming patients at our new centre in the coming months. The Active Together programme in Harrogate will provide personalised support delivered by specialists for people following a cancer diagnosis.

“Through Active Together, our aim is to improve treatment for people with cancer today, while helping to shape future cancer care in Yorkshire and beyond.”

Research has shown that regular activity during and after cancer treatment can lead to increased survival, improved recovery, and help reduce the risk of cancer coming back.

Exercise during cancer treatment can help alleviate the side effects, helping patients feel less tired and more able to focus on everyday life.

Eating well and having good mental health can also support recovery. Both cancer and its treatment can have a significant impact on weight and can cause changes to appetite or the ability to eat and digest food.

People taking part in the programme will receive support from a specialist dietitian, who will provide nutritional advice, and a counsellor, who will help look after mental wellbeing in a supported environment.

Dr Flanagan added: “Going through cancer treatment can be tough, both physically and mentally. Exercise after cancer treatment – along with psychological and nutritional support - can help boost wellbeing. Group classes also provide the opportunity to meet others with similar cancer experiences and gain peer support.”

As well as providing the Active Together programme, the Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre will incorporate a café, shop and donation centre where preloved items can be dropped off for sale in the charity’s shops.

The shop, café and donation centre, supported by a team of volunteers, will open to the public on Monday, 9th October 2023.

Tony Graham, Director of Retail at Yorkshire Cancer Research said: “The shop and café will help raise vital funds to support programmes like Active Together, both here in Harrogate and across Yorkshire. The shop will offer a curated and edited collection of ladies’, men’s, and children’s fashion, including some brand new and selected unique pieces, while the café will serve a menu of familiar, comforting favourites with healthy choices, sourced from local producers and suppliers.

“Our new donation centre will have capacity to accept a huge range of preloved goods. With an easy drop off zone and dedicated parking, we hope we have made it as easy as possible for people to help support our life-saving research, and do their bit for the environment, by donating their unwanted belongings.”

Nikki Brady, PR Manager

Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Tel: 07814 255159

Email: nikki.brady@ycr.org.uk