As one of the first patrons of the Centre and someone who has been closely associated with it over the years, I can speak from personal experience of the value of what happens there. And I am delighted that it is now taking this big step of opening its doors to clients outside Cumbria.

The Centre is one of those rare places which is thoroughly Christian in its ethos and practice, and yet is open to all comers. It welcomes people of any faith or none and with no ‘strings attached’. A friend of mine, for example, who was a professed atheist and remained one, was able to find peace of mind and a degree of acceptance of his illness through his visits there before he died. In a society which is becoming increasingly polarised over matters of belief, such places are worth their weight in gold.

Others will have written about the medical aspects of the Centre’s work and the steps that have been taken to evaluate this in a scientific way. I will simply say that I believe that this is vital. While the medical profession is beginning to accept some of the more ‘physical’ complementary therapies such as acupuncture, there is still a degree of suspicion attached to therapies with a ‘spiritual’ element. So it is particularly important that the Centre’s ‘healing by gentle touch’ should be subjected to the same sort of trials as other treatments and the results assessed. That is the way forward to greater acceptance and the good that will follow from it.

You can see from this why I am an enthusiast for the Centre’s work. I am so glad that what it has to offer in the way of healing is now being made available to a wider clientele.

Back to Top