CandleLighters Bus a mobile service that offers complimentary therapies to anyone who has been affected by childhood cancer visited Harrogate Hospital on 25th January 2017.
Candlelighters is a charity that supports children with cancer and their families in Yorkshire. The charity offers a range of services, such as financial support, emotional support, bereavement support and family events. One of the services that the charity provides is The Square, a Family Support Centre in Leeds that offers complimentary therapies, such as massage, reflexology and holistic facials, to anyone who has been affected by childhood cancer.
However, the charity understands that not all families can access The Square easily, especially those who live further away in Yorkshire. That is why the charity has launched a unique service to bring support closer to home: the Candlelighters Bus.
The Candlelighters Bus is a mobile service that travels around Yorkshire to offer complimentary therapies to patients, ex-patients, parents, siblings and extended family members.
The bus was first launched at the Candlelighters Awards in September 2016 , and has been visiting different locations across Yorkshire since then. The service is an extension of The Square, the charity’s Family Support Centre in Leeds.
The bus is a single decker that has three main rooms. Two of them are treatment rooms for acupressure chair massage and energy balancing. The third room is a waiting area with a sofa, a TV and a fridge. The bus also has wheelchair access ramps. The bus was converted for Candlelighters by Roadshow Promotions, a company that specialises in promotional buses and vehicle conversions.
The bus provides a range of therapies, such as Indian head massages, acupressure chair massage, reflexology and holistic facials. These therapies can help improve the physical and mental health of anyone who has been affected by childhood cancer. They can help ease pain, enhance energy levels, lower stress and tension, improve sleep patterns and induce deep relaxation.
Charlotte, Head Therapist at The Square, said: “Patients and their families experience such significant stress, but the therapies help them to protect their physical and mental health… Allowing family members the chance to relax will help them to be the very best that they can be given the really difficult circumstances that they face.“
The bus was parked outside the hospital from 10am to 4pm and welcomed anyone who had been affected by childhood cancer. Families could book themselves in for a treatment online or drop in on the day. The bus also offered information and advice about the charity and its services.
Some of the comments from visitors were:
- “It was so nice to have some time for myself. The therapist was very kind and gentle.” – Parent
- “I loved the massage. It made me feel calm and relaxed.” – Patient
- “The bus is awesome. It’s like a mini spa on wheels.” – Sibling
- “Thank you for bringing this service to us. It’s hard to travel to Leeds sometimes. This makes it easier for us to access support.” – Parent
- “I think this is a great idea. It helps raise awareness of the charity and what they do for families like us.” – Ex-patient
Roadshow Promotions provides logistical and driver support for the Candlelighters Bus.
Roadshow Promotions specialises in promotional buses and vehicle conversions. Roadshow Promotions provides logistical and driver support for the Candlelighters Bus, ensuring that the bus reaches its destinations safely and on time. We also help with branding and marketing the bus to attract more visitors.
For clients requiring a similar services please use our online contact form
The Candlelighters Bus is a unique service that aims to bring The Square closer to home for families who live further away in Yorkshire. By taking The Square on the road, the charity hopes to reach more families who need their help and make a difference in their lives.
