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A nurse-led cancer charity in Claughton is set to close after almost four decades of helping those with cancer diagnoses.
As reported by the Wirral Globe, the Holistic Cancer Centre was founded by Dorothy Crowther in 1988. She runs a centre on Ashburton Road providing cancer patients with access to complementary therapies including yoga, reiki, acupuncture and reflexology.
Nurses who work at the centre create individualised three-month care and therapy plans for patients, responding to their needs as they begin cancer treatment. The charity has become well-known in the Wirral, also running outreach services with nurses visiting patients at home, and running a charity shop in Hoylake.
Sadly, after 38 years, the charity has announced its closure due to increasing costs in operations and a loss of NHS funding.
In a statement on their website, the charity said: "For 38 years, The Holistic Cancer Centre has been a safe place at a difficult time for people across the Wirral. As a nurse‑led service, we have provided compassionate, holistic support to thousands of patients and families, offering psychological, emotional, spiritual and practical care during some of life’s most challenging moments."
They continued, saying it's with "great sadness" that the cancer centre is closing.
Due to the previously mentioned factors, The Holistic Cancer Centre said it is "impossible to sustain [its] building". They tried to find other options to keep the building open.
Reflecting on the closure, the charity added that it's not a failure, as the charity's end is "thoughtful and dignified", with the priority always being supporting others with cancer diagnoses.
The charity paid tribute to its staff, patients and wider community for contributing to its 38-year-long legacy.
The charity paid tribute to its founder Dorothy Crowther, whose "pioneering vision, courage and unwavering dedication created a service that transformed cancer support across the Wirral".
As well as the Claughton centre closing, its Moreton-based charity shop on Hoylake Road was confirmed to be closing. The shop was described as a "lively, friendly social hub" in the area.
Also confirmed in the statement that the charity will donate its remaining resources to other Wirral charities.
The shop had been "far more than a retail space", the charity said, describing it as "a lively, friendly social hub at the heart of the community".
In early 2025, the charity created a JustGiving fundraiser, stating that they were facing a "critical challenge" because the NHS cut funding by 28 percent. The total amount of money lost equalled £43,000, according to the charity.
In the post, the charity said: "Without your help and support, vital services may be lost, and we believe many cancer patients will suffer. With your help and support, the Holistic Cancer Centre can continue its vital work for the benefit of patients."
