Trinjan women’s group presented a cheque of £130 to The Mulberry Centre

National award for local cancer centre

The Mulberry Centre has been awarded the Macmillan Quality Environment Mark. This new award, the first of its kind in the UK, recognises and rewards good practice and high standards within the physical environment of a cancer care building.

The Mulberry Centre is among the first sites to be given the award which has been developed in collaboration with people living with cancer and organisations including the Department of Health. Representatives of the Centre, Claire James (Director), Dr. Rodney Taylor (Chairman), David Meggitt (Trustee), Gail Brammer (Administrator) and Jan Marriner (Senior Therapist) travelled to London to receive the award from Professor Mike Richards, National Cancer Director at the Department of Health and Ciaran Devane, Macmillan Cancer Support’s Chief Executive at a prestigious ceremony in London on 14 January.

Nicola Cook, National Project Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support explains how environments are assessed; ‘To receive the award environments have to score highly in areas such as use of space, comfort and atmosphere, personal and social interaction and health and well being. Consideration is given to such things as the greeting people receive when they come to a centre, the use of natural light and outdoor space, and the availability of quiet, private rooms – all areas that were highlighted as really important by people living with cancer who helped develop the award. ‘

Claire James said: ‘We are delighted to have been given this prestigious award. It reflects the hard work and dedication of the team that designed the Centre and all the staff and volunteers who work to make the Centre a welcoming and supportive environment for patients and their families.’