The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five-day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in Cheshire, UK, from 1 - 5 September.

Sue Harmsworth, founder and chair of the SATCC and Touch for Cancer Care, will lead the retreat with exercise oncology expert professor Anna Campbell, who is the director of cancer exercise training organisation CanRehab.

The aim of the retreat is to help attendees with experience of cancer reconnect with their body and learn practical tools for living well, in the company of people with an understanding of their experience.

Harmsworth said: “Instead of focusing on limitations, the event explores what's possible through movement, exercise, wellbeing practices and shared insight. Participants will spend meaningful time with internationally recognised experts in a relaxed setting. 

“What makes this event so unique is its focus on health and possibility rather than illness, encouraging individuals who have, or have had, cancer to challenge themselves and reconnect with their minds and bodies.”

The event has three guiding principles:

Movement and body confidence: Anna Campbell will be joined by Stephen Price, founder of Movementum, in providing sessions that use movement as medicine – and not gruelling workouts.

Restore and wellbeing: Sue Harmsworth will lead sessions in breathwork, mindfulness, therapeutic touch, skincare and nutrition alongside clinical nutritionist Stephanie Moore and mindfulness meditation practitioner Laura Ashurst.

Feel human again and connect: The event will place emphasis on direct access to experts leading every session, for answers to questions. The retreat will be limited to thirty people to facilitate this intimate experience.

Functional medcine health coach and SATCC advisory board member, Marian Hook, will also lead lead sessions during the retreat.

The package also includes four nights of accommodation, meals and refreshments, full use of the leisure facilities and a Touch for Cancer massage.

The cost of the package is £1,084 (US$1,377, €1,268) per person (double occupancy) or £1,619 (US$2,056, €1,894) (single occupancy).

The SATCC backed recent research by its official partner, the UK Spa Association, which revealed the industry’s varied approaches to cancer care. The new retreat may provide a helpful blueprint for how to serve consumers with lived experience of cancer.