Cancer counselling charity We Hear You is running its third mindfulness course starting in January 2021, aimed at people affected by cancer and life-threatening conditions.

Communications Officer Lucy McMahon said :"Running our WHYbemindful courses via Zoom was imposed on us by lockdown, but we've been delighted with the hugely positive impact it's had on participants and are looking forward to starting our third online course in January 2021. The course is open to patients and the people who care for and are close to them."

What is mindfulness?

"Mindfulness builds your capacity to be with the 'here and now' in your life. It quietens natural reactivity and aversion to the difficult. It brings skilful response, allowing you to begin to regain mastery and control over many aspects of your life that have been turned upside down by your diagnosis."

The eight-week course is facilitated by Chris Barker, using a model created by Trish Bartley of the University of Bangor. It applies Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to the particular challenges created by cancer and life-threatening conditions. The feedback from previous courses speaks for itself:

"I have been listened to and helped and supported...I am more calm in myself now and the stress has eased, probably because I've learnt different ways of coping with it now. I'd like to thank Chris so much for allowing me to be part of it."

"WHYbemindful has given me the tools I needed to deal with the negative thoughts that crowded my mind. I can now enjoy the present and take time to appreciate all that is positive in my life."

The next course starts on Saturday 23rd January from 10am to 12.30pm and runs for eight weeks, with a week off in February half term. If you'd like a place on the course, please call 01373 455255 or email [email protected]