On Friday, March 27, or a day of the host’s choice, hundreds of Kitchen Table Days will be held nationwide.
Maggie’s Oldham follows the ideas about cancer care originally laid out by Maggie Keswick Jencks, who lived with advanced cancer for two years but was determined to not “lose the joy of living in the fear of dying”.
She believed people needed information, stress-reducing strategies, psychological support and the opportunity to meet other people in similar circumstances in a relaxed and beautiful setting.
The Maggie’s Oldham centre, designed by award-winning architects dRMM, is purpose built so visitors feel at home in its surroundings.
They often head first to the kitchen table to relax with a cup of tea, join in the conversation with other visitors and meet a member of Maggie’s professional staff.
Visitors like Louise Bradshaw and her mum Patricia McKenzie have been using the centre for a couple of years.
The pair held a pizza and prosecco evening in 2019 for Kitchen Table Day which raise £451 and this year they hope to repeat that success with a cheese and wine evening.
Louise said: “The centre means so much to me and my family as they have been a great support during my treatment.
“We had such a laugh last year with our pizza and prosecco night, spending time with friends and family and raising money for Maggie’s.”
Pat added: “Coming to Maggie’s is like our second home and to add to that it’s brought us closer together.”
Trish Morgan, Centre Head at Maggie’s Oldham, said: “I held my own event last year with a group of friends, so I can’t wait to see the wonderful events people come up with to help make Maggie’s Kitchen Table Day 2020 a success.
“We rely entirely on voluntary donations to allow us to keep on developing our unique programme of free support for all those living with cancer in the area.”
Gather together around your kitchen table on Friday, March 27 to raise money for people with cancer. Register now for your free pack online: www.maggiescentres.org/kitchentableday
Built in the grounds of The Royal Oldham Hospital, Maggie’s Oldham has qualified professionals on hand to offer support and advice.
Find Maggie’s Oldham in the grounds of The Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Road, Oldham, OL1 2JH or read more online: www.maggiescentres.org/oldham