Coworth Park launches Made for Life Cancer Touch therapy

The Dorchester Collection’s country house hotel has launched a new brand partnership with Made for Life Organics

By Wendy Golledge

09 August 2023

www.dorchestercollection.com/en

The Spa at Coworth Park Spa in Berkshire has introduced Made for Life’s cancer care therapy to its menu offering.

A Hand on Heart back, face and scalp treatment has been added to the menu, catering to the unique needs of those affected by cancer.

Recognising the needs and sensitivities of cancer patients, The Spa at Coworth Park has curated the treatment alongside Made for Life to ensure it is safe and suitable for those who may be undergoing medical treatments or recovery processes.

The spa team has undergone Made for Life training to ensure they can tailor the experience to each individual’s requirements, making it a truly personalised therapeutic journey.

“We have launched with Made for Life to be able to offer safe and relaxing Cancer Touch therapies to anyone undergoing cancer treatments or for those living with cancer."

Teresa O'Farrell

Global head of wellness and spa, Dorchester Collection; spa director, The Spa at Coworth Park

Cancer Touch therapy

“The training the therapists completed is at CIBTAC level, which is the highest standard of training within the spa industry,” said Theresa O’Farrell, global head of wellness and spa at the Dorchester Collection and spa director, The Spa at Coworth Park.

Informed by an understanding of the physical and emotional challenges faced by cancer patients and survivors, the Hand on Heart treatment aims to rebalance and soothe through a combination of deep breathing exercises and slow, light massage techniques.

Key features include guided mindful breathing exercises to encourage guests to let go of stress and tension, setting the stage for a transformative experience.

Hand on Heart

The nurturing and calming treatment can be personalised to include gentle upper body massage, facial pressure point massage and calming head massage.

Created to allow spa guests to drift away into a meditative state of relaxation, Hand on Heart incorporates slow Tui Na Chinese techniques to rebalance, nourish and revive.

"Hand on Heart includes all parts of the body and we train our therapists to adapt the treatment for anyone. For example, if a guest has had a mastectomy and can’t lie on their front, it can be adapted for comfort. It’s a very light massage, which is why we call it touch therapy."

Amanda Winwood

Founder, Made for Life Organics

Powerfully positive

“As a therapist, you can clearly see the change in a client after every treatment. But with Cancer Touch Therapy the change is unbelievable. It’s nice to feel like you’ve done something so powerfully positive for someone,” says senior therapist at Coworth Park, Elena Perez.

“When you have cancer, people tend to treat you like you’re about to break. This treatment allows us to help guests feel more human.

“The Made for Life training was very eye opening. As well as the knowledge of the theory and the practice of the treatment, there was advice on how to also manage the inevitable emotional side effects of carrying out treatments for people experiencing any complex medical issues.”

Spa building exterior shot in the sunshine — The Spa at Coworth Park | Image: James Bedford

Inside the Hand on Heart treatment

Our reporter experienced the 90-minute protocol at The Spa at Coworth Park

“What stands out about this treatment, right from the very first touch, is the slow, gentle, almost painstaking attention to detail. It’s unlike any other treatment I have experienced – not deep and powerful, but light, tender and hugely comforting.

“As the treatment is personalised to every guest it can incorporate a facial, back massage, and then focus on arms and hand or feet and legs.

“I opted for a back massage followed by my arms and hands, and I could feel the light massage working on all my nerves. A deeper massage tends to work on muscles but I was surprised that with this treatment I found myself drifting off almost instantly.

“The tenderness seems to allow for a quicker and fuller release of tensions – I switched off incredibly quickly and was in my own world for the whole treatment, without thoughts of the outside world interrupting.”

New wellness garden

O’Farrell is working to create a unique wellness garden for The Spa at Coworth Park, which will be very different to a traditional spa garden. “We will also be implementing some internal changes in the spa to fully embrace a complete wellness experience,” she says.

The current Dorchester Collection portfolio includes iconic hotels such as The Dorchester London, 45 Park Lane London, Ascot and Le Meurice Paris as well as Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris, Hotel Eden Rome and The Lana.

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