Therapeutic care

The therapeutic care service helps individuals in stressful situations and times of personal crisis by promoting a sense of well-being and relaxation through gentle massage. The therapy of hand, neck and shoulder massage, given through clothing, can also assist in pain and stress relief. Our trained volunteers receive regular skills refresher training.

Anyone can benefit from therapeutic massage: a patient waiting for treatment or recovering from an illness, a carer or someone who is just feeling tense. The service aims to:

• promote a sense of well-being
• assist relaxation
• reduce stress and pain
• offer the chance to talk to someone trained in listening skills

The service is offered in hospitals, hospices, GP surgeries, community meeting places or even at home. Referrals usually come from health and other professionals, though people can self refer.

For further information, get in touch with your local Red Cross branch office, in the near you section.

	The mood of the ward changes on the days that the Red Cross volunteers come in. The patients are more relaxed, visiting time is noticeably happier and the staff feel less pressured in the calmer atmosphere.”
	Staff nurse