Mission
Our core mission is to improve the lives of anyone affected by cancer, including those with a diagnosis, carers, family members and bereaved relatives, by enhancing emotional, psychological and physical well-being.
Our values
Activities
Since it first opened its doors in 2001, The Mulberry Centre has grown and adapted its services to meet the needs of the people we aim to serve. As people are living longer with a cancer diagnosis, we recognise that their needs may change over time. It is not just the physical manifestation of the disease, but the emotional and practical impacts that we are able to respond to.
We aim to deliver a range of information and support services to all people affected by a diagnosis of cancer: to the cancer patient, friends and family, carers and those bereaved by cancer. Services include complementary and relaxation therapies, ongoing one to one support on a drop-in basis, counselling sessions and support groups, plus a wide range of workshops. The combination of information, support, self-management and relaxation helps people feel in control; it helps them to make the right decisions to manage both the physical and mental trauma of a cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Our community engagement activities forge links with a broad range of relevant health and community organisations, targeting and approaching sections of the community who have tended not to be active users of The Mulberry Centre.
Longstanding relationships with a wide range of health professionals, public bodies and voluntary organisations also help us to achieve and sustain our aims.
Find out more about us
How We Are Funded
The cost of running The Mulberry Centre has to be met by the income that we manage to raise ourselves...
How We Spend Our Money
There are five main ways in which we provide person centred support to people affected by cancer...
Our Policies
The Mulberry Centre policies ensure compliance with laws and regulations. Our main policies are...
The Mulberry Centre has a small team of paid staff who are involved in all aspects of the delivery of our services. Our counselling, and therapies and group activities are delivered by a wonderful team of volunteers who are led by part−time professionals. We also have strong governance with a Trustee body of 10 who bring a wide range of expertise and skills including health, accountancy, legal, fundraising, business and community.
Recognitions and Awards
In 2023 we were shortlisted as a finalist by the West London Chambers Business Awards for The Best Charity/Social Enterprise 2023 and we were awarded Highly Commended for The Employer of the Year 2023.
In 2021, The Mulberry Centre received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), with a special designation for providing impactful support during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, the Complementary Therapy team won a prestigious Macmillan Volunteers Award for their commitment and determination to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.
In 2014 The Mulberry Centre was named Hounslow Charity of the Year at the annual volunteer awards ceremony. In recent years, The Mulberry Centre has been the Charity of the Year of both the Mayor of Hounslow and the Mayor of Richmond upon Thames. We have also won the Hounslow Health Garden of Year Award twice.
In 2010 we were chosen as a beacon site for their Macmillan Environmental Quality Mark award for the excellence of our facilities; this was awarded again in 2012, 2015, 2018 and November 2021.