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news The Mulberry Centre

West London cancer charity The Mulberry Centre has been supporting cancer patients and their loved ones for the last 20 years. Executive director Raj Athwal highlights the vital work she and her colleagues do.

One of the tragic impacts of the global pandemic has been a delay in cancer screening and diagnosis. Cancer charity The Mulberry Centre, in west London, worries this problem will get worse before it gets better.

“Many people have deferred getting screened during the pandemic, and treatments and operations have been delayed,” explains Raj Athwal. “We anticipate a significant increase in the need for our services as the pandemic eases, and as people are diagnosed with more advanced stage cancers. Sadly, there is likely to be an increase in cancer deaths because of the cancer backlog, so our bereavement service will be there to support anyone who has lost a loved one.”

Based on the grounds of West Middlesex University Hospital, in Isleworth, the Mulberry Centre has been helping cancer patients and their families since July 2001. Their dedicated team work closely with cancer nurse specialists at the hospital, as well as with other local hospitals, GPs, community groups and healthcare providers. This year, their volunteers have been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, along with a special designation for their support during the pandemic. Over the last two decades this award-winning charity has helped over 15,000 people affected by cancer. All their services are provided free of charge. “Our mission is to provide support for people affected by cancer who live in west and southwest London, offering practical ways to enhance physical, psychological and emotional well-being,” Raj adds. “We support people through their cancer journey, from diagnosis to treatment and then post-discharge. We help them re-build their lives and promote self-management. We also support carers and family members to deal with these changes.”

Some of the services offered by the centre include counselling, emotional support, legal information, end-of-life support, and complementary therapies such as massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, reiki, shiatsu and emotional freedom technique. There are meditation, yoga, and tai chi classes, and art, creative writing and book clubs. Online workshops run on topics such as cancer nutrition, managing stress, sleep management, grieving, and aromatherapy. There is also a peaceful space for relaxing and meeting up, and a tranquil garden.

But now the Mulberry Centre needs support from the local community. Next summer – a year later than planned due to the pandemic – they will be marking their 21st birthday by celebrating with their many beneficiaries and the local community.

The centre is asking locals to spread the word about the services they offer. They need volunteers, fundraisers and donations. And they are looking for corporate sponsors to help fund future work and birthday celebrations. Anyone interested should contact them via email (talk@themulberrycentre.co.uk) To quote Sally Smith: “Having gone through bowel cancer about 10 years ago (I really can’t remember now, which is a good sign!) I wholeheartedly recommend the Mulberry Centre – they are terrific and such a support in difficult times.”

www.themulberrycentre.co.uk

Regeneration progress in Hounslow celebrated with topping out ceremony

Local dignitaries including the Leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor Steve Curran, joined Barratt London on Thursday 19th August to celebrate the topping out of Kempton Tower, the tallest building at its High Street Quarter development. To mark the completion of the 27-storey tower in the centre of Hounslow, Cllr. Curran placed the final brick and was presented with a ceremonial trowel.

The topping out ceremony also marked the opening of Smithy Lane, the retail aspect of the mixeduse development. Smithy Lane will comprise of 134,000 sq. ft of new commercial space, including a new 10-screen Cineworld cinema and a range of

restaurants, cafés, and shops, including Kokoro, Starbucks, Wok & Go, and Heavenly Desserts. Councillor Steve Curran said: “The topping out of Kempton Tower at High Street Quarter is a key milestone in the completion of the development, and the opening of Smithy Lane is an indicator of its contribution to the community of Hounslow.

The large retail space will create a new hub of activity for residents in Hounslow to come to shop, eat and enjoy themselves. We’re working closely with Barratt London to ensure the regeneration of Hounslow is a success, and that the community at High Street Quarter has a place they are proud to call home.” Danny Farenden, Projects Director at Barratt London, comments: “High Street Quarter is about far more than just building homes. It’s about the power of construction to transform whole communities. The development will not only provide 588 high quality homes for the people of Hounslow, but it will help regenerate the whole area, to the benefit of everyone in the wider community.”

85 residents have now moved into the new homes at High Street Quarter, where prices currently start from £326,000 for a onebedroom apartment, with two and three-bedroom apartments also available.

Hounslow Chamber of Commerce was immensely proud to be part the Topping Out ceremony. For more information about Barratt London visit

www.barrattlondon.com

A challenging year for charities

It has been a challenging year for charities and organisations that deliver community projects or services to beneficiaries.

Inspire Hounslow is a charity that provides support funds to such organisations. While applications for funding were slightly reduced this year, we did manage to support many organisations. Our financial contributions help community groups provide programmes that make a difference to the lives of young people in Hounslow. Much of our focus is on disadvantaged or disaffected youth. However, we also support programmes aimed at educating young people, providing sport and cultural opportunities, or improving health and social care. We hope, that with the end of the Covid lockdown, we will see even more applications from organisations and community groups. Our goal is to improve the lives of young people in the Borough. We can only achieve that through other organisations’ activity. If your organisation has a community focus, you may like to apply for funds to support your beneficiaries.

Apply on-line, via our website inspirehounslow.co.uk - which has detail on the range of programmes we fund.

We are also keen to hear from potential trustees, who share our values and aspirations. We would particularly like to hear from people who live and work locally and are from the many diverse community or ethnic groups in Hounslow.

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