The Leveson Centre General Leaflet

Our Story...

York Against Cancer is an independent, local charity providing practical help and support for patients and their families living with cancer across York, North and East Yorkshire.

Established in 1987 by three colleagues, Professor Steve Leveson, Colin Garner and John Craven, York Against Cancer was created to help raise funds in order to improve support and research into cancer in the local area.

Over the past 35 years the charity has raised over £20 million which has been invested into funding a range of initiatives and services, from funding worldleading research at the Jack Birch Unit in York, to offering cancer patients free transport to radiotherapy treatments and respite breaks with their families, to name a few.

In 2023 The Leveson Centre was brought to life through generous donations and legacies received by the charity. Working closely in partnership with the York and Scarborough Hospital Trust we have created a space that will positively impact the region’s level of cancer support services for years to come.

Left to right:York Against Cancer representitives Co-founder, Professor Steve Leveson, CEO, Julie Russell, Chairman, Ian Yeowart

The Leveson Centre provides a wide range of holistic support services to complement clinical cancer treatments offered at York Hospital, helping patients from and their friends and families across North and East Yorkshire to live with and beyond cancer.

Located next to York Against Cancer's gift shop at the York Community Stadium, Huntington, the space provides a friendly, welcoming 'home-from-home' environment for patients, friends, and families to visit and access support or just to drop in for a cup of coffee and a chat.

Visitors can access information and advice, professional help, and a weekly and monthly timetable of activities. Find out more on our website www.thelevesoncentre.org.uk or email us on support@thelevesoncentre.org.uk.

The Leveson Centre has thoughtfully been named after one of the charity's founders, Professor Steve Leveson, a retired Consultant Surgeon, who started York Against Cancer 35 years ago and who, with his wife Pat, has supported the charity ever since. Renowned for his skills as a surgeon, researcher, educator and for his genuine compassion, he has touched the lives of thousands of people across North and East Yorkshire.

Our Services

Coffee and chat

Every Wednesday morning, join us between 10am-12:30pm for a relaxed coffee morning open to anyone affected by cancer. Pop in for a cuppa and a chat, meet people who understand what you’re going through or just take a moment for yourself in one of our comfortable seating areas.

One-to-one support

We offer a range of support services for if you or someone you care about has cancer.

Cancer patients looking to return to work post-treatment can book in an appointment with Occupational Health Nurse Karen. These sessions are free of charge and open to anyone who would like advice on cancer and the workplace.

Chartered Clinical Psychologist Rebecca holds appointments in The Leveson Centre, alongside therapy dog Luna. Rebecca offers free psychological services for young people with family members going through cancer.

Get information from our team about the support that is right for you; pop in or email us on support@thelevesoncentre.org.uk to find out more.

Information and guidance

Our professional team are here to help with any questions you might have. We work closely with the NHS York and Scarborough Trust and will provide details of who to speak to or where to access further information if it’s not something we offer ourselves.

If you would like more information about any of our services please call us on 01904 202647 or email support@thelevesoncentre.org.uk.

Health and well-being

Take part in our Pilates class for a full body workout that improves muscle tone, flexibility, strength and balance. Our experienced instructor can modify exercises to suit all fitness levels, including chair-based exercises.

Join our Progressive Muscle Relaxation Group and learn techniques to deeply relax, led by Complementary Therapist Alethea. Get in touch to find out more.

If you are from York or the surrounding area and are living with or beyond cancer, you are eligible for specialist exercise sessions to help encourage a healthy lifestyle. We will help you find the right class for your needs and fund the first five to get you started.

We offer 6 free sessions of complementary therapy for cancer patients to aid with general well-being, reduce stress and ease the side effects of cancer treatment. Choose from a range of therapies such as reiki, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy and more; get in touch to be put on the waiting list.

Book your spot in our Look Good Feel Better workshop for cancer patients. Run by beauty industry experts, these sessions can help you manage the physical side effects of your cancer treatment and meet others in similar situations.

Support groups

If someone you love has been affected by cancer, get in touch to join our monthly Family and Friends Support Group. At our meetings, we provide a safe space for you to meet others in the same position and learn more about how to look after yourself and your loved ones.

Opening times

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9am-5pm. Thursday: 9am-8pm Saturday: 10am-4pm

Get involved!

Provide Services

Our services are carefully selected by our board of trustees to make sure we provide a good range of cancer support for everyone that visits us here at The Leveson Centre

Book a room

We have two private meeting rooms which are available for cancer service providers to book when they are not being used by one of our timetabled services.

Volunteer

Join our team of volunteers to help with meet and greet, admin support, upkeep and maintenance or specific service support. Register your interest in volunteering by emailing us on support@thelevesoncentre.org.uk

Donate

Whether you would like to donate as a one-off, become a regular giver, or offer a legacy gift, you can do so here: https://www.yorkagainstcancer.org.uk/getinvolved/donate/ or give us a call on 01904 202647

Fundraise

There are lots of exciting ways to fundraise for us, whether you want to take part in an organised event, or create your own, find our more about fundraising for us on our website.

Get your business involved

Become a corporate partner, offer workplace volunteering, organise a fundraiser or choose us as your charity of the year. Find out more about how to get your business involved here: https://www.yorkagainstcancer.org.uk/get-involved/ businesses/

www.thelevesoncentre.org.uk I 01904 202647 I support@thelevesoncentre.org.uk

The Leveson Centre is provided by

York Against Cancer is an independent, local charity caring for cancer patients and their families in York, North and East Yorkshire. Since starting in 1987, the charity has raised over £20 million to support people in York and across the region.

We provide a range of services and research including a free minibus that takes people from York through to Leeds for radiotherapy every working day, two luxury respite properties offering free short breaks to help people recuperate from cancer treatment, an award-winning mobile chemotherapy unit, a brand new cancer support centre The Leveson Centre as well as funding the Jack Birch Unit at the University of York for its internationally recognised bladder cancer research.

Our aims today are the same as they were when the charity was founded; to support as many people affected by cancer as possible.

www.thelevesoncentre.org.uk