Choosing the right course

Courses have been developed to provide a progressive programme of support for people living with cancer and those close to them.  We aim to help everyone with cancer live as well as they can in the light of their diagnosis by offering practical self help tools, information, emotional and spiritual support.

Courses have been designed to work together to allow you to pursue your particular interests and to deepen your experience of living well with and beyond cancer.  Courses range from half day taster sessions to 5 day residential retreats.  All courses give you a chance to take some time to reflect on your journey with cancer and help you on your way with new insight, knowledge and skills into how you can support your own health and wellbeing.

When is the right time to attend one of our courses?

• At any stage of your illness - following diagnosis, during your treatment or when treatment has finished - whatever feels right for you.
• Following a change in circumstances (eg the diagnosis of secondary cancer).
• When you would like time out to review your situation within a supportive group setting.
• When you need some time to rest and reflect.

Funding

Services at Penny Brohn Cancer Care are free of charge.  As a charity we are funded exclusively by donations from our supporters and the public.  With your help we can provide our services to people living with cancer and their families.

The Bristol Approach Programme

Click the links below to browse our range of courses:

 Entry courses

• Taste of the Bristol Approach - This half day course introduces you to Penny Brohn Cancer Care, explaining how and why the services we offer can help you to support your health and giving the opportunity for you to experience our facilities and our approach.  Residential and non-residential options. Open to all.
• Living Well with the Impact of Cancer - Explore how lifestyle can affect wellbeing; identify simple things you can do to manage the impacts of cancer and its treatments on different aspects of your life, and gain support from meeting others with similar experiences.  Residential and non-residential options.  Open to all.

 Retreat courses

• The Approach - Time to consider in greater depth how cancer has affected your life, to share your experiences within a supportive group setting and to learn more about the Bristol Approach to living well with cancer.  Includes an individual session with a doctor and a nutritional therapist to address your particular needs and concerns.  Minimum entry: must have attended a Living Well course.
• Reconnecting with the Bristol Approach - This course is designed for you to refresh, build up and strengthen your whole person self-care programme and you will leave with a renewed sense of inspiration and empowerment about what you can do to help support yourself, wherever you are on your cancer journey.  Minimum entry: must have attended a Living Well and The Approach courses.
• Short Retreats - These courses look at particular aspects of the Bristol Approach in more depth and allows you to deepen your practice in the areas that interest you.  Minimum entry: must have attended The Approach course.
• Long Retreats - The retreats invite you to think about the crisis of cancer as an opportunity for transformation through personal growth and development.  The themes are explored in depth using meditation, silence, group work, creativity, bodywork and healing to help you reconnect with your own inner resources and joy of life.  Minimum entry: must have attended The Approach course.

Returners Programme

• Single Day Courses - These courses focus of particular aspects of the Bristol Approach and cover nutrition, meditation and wellness.  Minimum entry: must have attended a Taste of the Bristol Approach course.
• Open Programme  - The focus of this course is on rest, relaxation and recuperation, giving you time out to look after yourself with relaxation, bodywork, gentle exercise and healthy cooking.  Minimum entry: must have attended a Living Well course.

Download our Course brochure to find out more about all the courses and sessions we offer.  Click here to look at our course calendar.