Therapist, Andrew, is a familiar face in The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre, where he’s been volunteering his services, offering reflexology and back/shoulder massage for around four years.
“I first found out about Pickering when our daughter was diagnosed with cancer before the pandemic,” says Andrew. “At that time, I had retired and I wanted to do something with my time so – after a few people had mentioned it as an option – I trained in reflexology, as something I could share with friends and particularly my family.
After the pandemic, Andrew approached Pickering to offer his services as a volunteer therapist and now he comes in every Monday morning.
“I’ve had so much positive feedback from visitors, who say they benefit from my sessions,” says Andrew. “Visitors say they look forward to it and it’s some time to just do something different and relax, which is so important.”
Andrew usually practices reflexology on a visitor’s feet but also does hands, while he’s recently completed a course on ear reflexology, which he also now offers.
“If it’s someone’s first visit to me, then I’ll probably centre that session around a hand massage, as it’s very calming,” he says. “I really enjoy volunteering here, it’s extremely rewarding. Pickering is a great place, it feels like being part of a family.”