St Wilfrid’s Living Well Centre

St Wilfrid’s Living Well Centre is a drop-in centre where patients with life limiting illnesses and their families and carers can access a range of activities and therapies

Living Well Centre

St Wilfrid’s Living Well Centre supports people who are living with a life-limiting and progressive illness. We support people aged 18 and above, regardless of diagnosis and extend our support to their friends and family members during any stage of the illness, including bereavement.

The Living Well Service is run by a multi-professional team. The team includes Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, complementary therapists, chaplains, social workers, nurses, doctors as well as a team of volunteers. We support people living with life-limiting conditions through a range of therapeutic activities and groups or via one -to-one consultations with our specialist team.

Once you are referred to us, we will work with you to identify the most suitable programme to meet your needs.

Living with illness can be hard. There are different ways to manage illness. Some find it helps to talk with those with similar problems, learning together how to manage. Many find staying active through exercise and other activity helps. Having fun with others can also take your mind from your illness. It is all about enabling you to enjoy life – understand yourself better, connect with other people and feel the benefit of kindness, friendship, support and having a good laugh.

Find Out What’s On

Breathe Well, Live Well

Many people with long term health conditions experience breathlessness. At St Wilfrid’s Hospice we have a dedicated team who have the expertise to help people manage their symptoms and help you take control of your breathing, improve confidence and maintain your independence.

St Wilfrid’s Hospice has a collection of Videos, Podcasts and information to help you. Our hope is with each episode you will find breathing a little easier, feel a little calmer and be better able to cope with any breathing difficulties you may experience.

Start taking back control of your breathing here:

Online Wellbeing Resources

Exercise Well, Live Well

Keeping active is a great way to help improve your quality of life and maintain independence within the limitations of your illness.

St Wilfrid’s Hospice can support you in a number of ways including specialist advice and exercise groups held at our Living Well Centre.

If you would like to become more active and help regain some independence then find out more here:

Exercise Well, Live Well

Patients can come to St Wilfrid’s Day Centre for a single activity

We offer a number of activities such as exercise classes, yoga, complementary therapy and education and support sessions.

All activities can be tailored to your needs and carers, friends and relatives are always welcome. Sometimes it’s good to have a change of scenery and talk to others in the same situation.

Call us on: 01243 755836

See what others have said about our Living Well Services:

What’s On:

Rolling programme of ‘low impact’ seated exercises and peer support from our Physiotherapy team.

Explore fun exercises to help maintain and improve movement, balance and muscle strength…and all while seated. Resistance band and instructions provided.

Group held: At the Living Well Centre.

Important Information: Please note this course is only available following an assessment from Physiotherapy.

How to book: Please contact the Living Well Centre via telephone 01243 775836

A supervised exercise group including an individualised programme.

Group held: In the Living Well Gym

Important Information: Please note these sessions are available for those who have completed the Seated Exercise Group or the Exercise & Education Group. Maximum 4 per session.

How to book: Please contact the Living Well Centre via telephone 01243 775836

A space to experience the practice of being fully present, aware of where we are, and not overwhelmed by what is going on around us, guided by a trained professional.

Course held: At the Living Well Centre.

How to book: Please contact the Living Well Centre via telephone on 01243 775836

Learn about the benefits of exercise and how you can incorporate activity and exercise into your everyday life to help you achieve your goals.

Explore fun exercises to help maintain movement, balance, and muscle strength. Some exercises will be sitting and some will be standing.

Group held: At the Living Well Centre.

Important Information: Please note this course is only available following an assessment from Physiotherapy and is a 6-week programme.

How to book: Please contact the Living Well Centre via telephone 01243 775836

A session with a trained Yoga instructor to help reduce anxiety, manage pain, and de-stress, as well as improve flexibility, aid sleep, and build strength.

Course Held: At the Living Well Centre.

Important Information: Please note you will need to attend a one-off activity and education session with a Physiotherapist prior to starting this group.

How to book: Please contact the Living Well Centre via telephone on 01243 775836

Patients and carers can explore the causes of breathlessness and help develop strategies to help manage and live with breathing difficulties. The course will cover different breathing techniques, fatigue management and pacing as well as exercise and maintaining independence. Topics will also include medication and advice on constipation.

Join in with a relaxed Physiotherapy-led exercise group afterwards to explore fun exercises to help maintain movement, balance, muscle strength and help with the management of your breathlessness.

Course Held: At the Living Well Centre.

Important Information: Please be aware that this course can hold a maximum of 10 people and their carers.

How to book: Please contact the Living Well Centre via telephone on 01243 775836

Complementary Therapies:

Involves using gentle massage and pressure techniques applied to the hands or feet. This brings about a deep sense of relaxation and helps restore balance to the body. Foot coverings only need to be removed for this treatment.

Session Held: At the Living Well Centre.