On Sunday, 29th June, Didsbury Open Gardens will be organizing a special event to support the Maggie’s Cancer Support Centre, opposite The Christie, in Withington. A number of lovely local gardens will open their gates to visitors to wander, relax and enjoy the garden spaces while raising money for this worthy charity. The centre and garden at Maggie’s will also be open with activities during the day for visitors, including talks and Yoga.
Maggie’s itself is a light, bright and airy space designed by Lord Norman Foster, set in peaceful gardens designed by Dan Pearson. Best in Show winner at Chelsea Flower Show and world-renowned garden designer. Combining a rich mix of spaces, including the working glasshouse and vegetable garden, the garden provides a place for both activity and contemplation. The colours and sensory experience of nature becomes part of the Centre through micro gardens and internal courtyards, which relate to the different spaces within the building.
This is one of a network of 30 centres that delivers on the wisdom about cancer care originally shared by Founder Maggie Keswick Jencks: “Above all what matters is not to lose the joy of living in the fear of dying”.
The Centre was formally opened in April 2016, and has been making a significant impact on the lives of people affected by cancer since then. Anyone affected by cancer can visit Maggie’s, with no appointment or referral, and find emotional and practical support – or simply someone to talk to – from the trained staff.
In its first year, over 20,000 people visited the Centre, which has a large kitchen table at its heart. Around it, supportive relationships and friendships form between visitors, and with the small staff team. People are encouraged to openly and honestly share their experience, their fears and their aspirations for the future. Alongside this crucial social support, people can access specialist services, social activities and creative networks relating to stress management, benefits advice, rehabilitation and life beyond cancer.
On the 29th June, the gardens will be open between 12noon and 5pm and programmes will go on sale locally in early May. Look out for more details on the website at www.didsburyopengardens.org and https://www.maggies.org
Maggie’s Manchester
Didsbury Open Gardens 