The Open Programme  allows you to combine any of our non residential services (Cancerpoint, Single Day Courses, Taste of the Bristol Approach) with a residential stay in our beautiful, purpose built facility. The Open Programme can be used as a flexible and accessible way to follow up the Approach or Retreat Courses; to help you access one to one sessions on Cancerpoint, or to support you in bringing rest, relaxation and time out for yourself into your life. As with all our services, you are welcome to bring a supporter with you. 

There is no minimum contribution for the Open Programme.

You will:

• Be able to tailor the programme to your own needs, with the support of your Key Worker
• Focus on rest, relaxation and taking time for yourself
• Meet others with similar experience
• Learn and practise some gentle exercise and some relaxation techniques
• Have a one to one session with a key worker
• Be able to use the grounds and facilities and enjoy our healthy and nutritious meals 

Course Outline

The Open Programmes runs over two nights, and usually starts on a Tuesday morning at 11am. 

Day 1
You will be greeted by a key worker and shown around before a brief introductory session to meet the other participants and practise some brief and simple relaxation before lunch. In the afternoon there is free time, a walk in nature or gentle exercise indoors (depending on weather) and a tea break. There is a further relaxation session after supper. All sessions are entirely optional.

Day 2

• Stretch and breathe
• Small group session on Self Help Techniques
• One to one bodywork session
• Tea break with key worker
• Evening session (relaxation or gentle exercise) 

You may be able to use other Cancerpoint
therapies (Nutrition, Doctor, Homeopath, Music Therapy, one to one Self Help Techniques). Please talk to your key worker if you would like to pursue this.

If you have not used our services before, we will invite you to attend a Taste of the Bristol Approach course on the second day of the Open Programme. You may still be able to have the one to one sessions. You can also stay as part of the Open Programme if you are coming on a Single Day course, when the Open Programme is running. One to one sessions with a key worker will be arranged on either day 2 or day 3.

Day 3

• Stretch and breathe
• Healthy cooking demonstration
• Farewell session 

The programme ends at 2.30. We ask all participants to have left the premises by 5pm. 

Important information regarding The Open Programme

Who can attend?

Any person who has received a cancer diagnosis and their supporter can attend the Open Programme.
If you have not used our services before you will need to either attend a Cancerpoint Introduction appointment or attend the Taste of the Bristol Approach half day course. You will be able to combine this with your stay on the Open Programme.

Overnight support

We ask that everyone who would like to attend the Open Programme is emotionally and physically able to use the services without needing medical support. You are very welcome to bring a friend or supporter with you, to join in with the programme and offer any additional help you may need. A nurse therapist will be available overnight and we have on-call cover with a local GP service for any medical emergencies that may arise. 

Minimum contribution

As a charity we are reliant upon voluntary and charitable support to fund our services. There is no minimum contribution for anyone attending the Open Programme. We ask everyone who uses our services to make a donation if they are able to. Making a donation means that more people can be supported by us in the future.

Dates for the Open Programme

These sessions run regularly. To find out more about availability please contact us on 01275 370 122 or email: cancerpoint@pennybrohn.org 

 rest, relaxation 

time for yourself 

What to do now ...

If you are interested in attending one of our Open Programmes please contact us on 01275 370 122 or email cancerpoint@pennybrohn.org