Our complementary therapy specialists provide calm, comfort, and care when it’s needed most.
Through aromatherapy, massage and guided relaxation, our trained therapists help people living with life-limiting illnesses to ease pain, reduce anxiety and reconnect with their bodies.
To many of the people we care for, these sessions bring emotional balance, restore a sense of dignity, and create moments of peace for patients and their families.
Your donation will help ensure patients and families have a space to breathe and feel safe and understood through access to essential complementary therapies.
Over 1,100 sessions delivered last year
In 2023/24, our complementary and physiotherapy teams delivered 1,124 sessions tailored to the specific needs of patients and families in our care.
Whilst the NHS funds 30% of the total cost of St Luke’s services, without your donations, our qualified complementary therapists would not exist.
Just £55 can help fund a single aromatherapy session for someone living with a life-limiting illness. Most people begin with up to six sessions.
“Here, they don’t feel like a number. They feel like they are listened to”.
Deirdre, Therapy Lead at St Luke’s
“It’s in the moment they exhale, smile, or close their eyes and finally relax — that’s when we know it’s working.”
At St Luke’s, our team of qualified, compassionate therapists works closely with patients and their families to create personalised plans, from massage to ease pain, to relaxation techniques that reduce anxiety, or aromatherapy to encourage calm.
Working alongside our nurses and doctors, they help care for the whole person, not just the illness.
Deirdre, Therapy Lead, Patient & Family Support Team, sees this impact every day.
“One young mother I looked after used to come in for reflexology once a week. She had two small children and barely any energy. After her treatments, she told me she felt stronger – she could lift her baby again, cook dinner, and laugh with her kids. At that time, she felt like a mum again.
That’s the kind of difference this service makes. It might sound like a small thing. But to her, it was everything.”
£100 could fund a place at our Retreat Day, providing support and community connection.
Wellbeing through connection and care
As part of our complementary therapy service, Retreat Days offer gentle support for the mind and body.
These special days bring patients, carers and the bereaved together to take part in therapies like yoga, Tai Chi and sound relaxation.
Held in small groups, these sessions help people feel more at ease, more connected, and, in some cases, less alone. Participants often tell us how powerful it is to share the day with others who understand, to breathe, reflect, and find comfort together.
Your donation today will help us continue offering Retreat Days and other vital support, helping people living with illness, grief, or caring responsibilities find moments of peace and connection.
Why your support matters
Every moment of care, comfort, clarity, and calm we offer is only possible because of people like you.
Your support helps us keep our specialised care free of charge for those who need it most. It enables us to train volunteers, provide one-to-one treatments, host group sessions, and create uplifting experiences for people often living with pain, fear, or exhaustion.
Thanks to you, we can treat the whole person – not just the illness.
Prefer to donate over the phone?
If you would like to donate over the phone or have any difficulties donating on our website please call our friendly Supporter Care Team on 020 8382 8030 who will be happy to help.
