Page 72 - Tropic Magazine Issue 24

TROPIC • HEALTH

Powerful mission What does COUCH Wellness Centre Tell us about how COUCH Wellness Centre
offer for clients?
has adapted and pivoted during the
Managing cancer is not just about the COVID-19 pandemic?
CANCER SUPPORT
treatment pathway you choose. It’s also Unfortunately, cancer didn’t get the memo
The team at COUCH Wellness about complementing that treatment to go into hibernation during COVID. In
Centre mark their one-year pathway with lifestyle choices that fact, for some of our clients this pandemic
has impacted their treatment and created
create wellness. The challenges a cancer
milestone since opening this diagnosis can bring are so varied and complex lifestyle challenges.
important local service. aren’t always about the disease itself or To ensure our clients safety, in late March
the treatment. Cancer impacts so much we transitioned our service to an online
more than just the physical body. People and tele-health platform and closed the
The mission at the COUCH Wellness often find everyday lifestyle problems Wellness Centre to face to face contact. In
Centre is simple, yet powerful: support become more complicated because of early April, we moved our team to work
the health and well-being of clients during the cancer. They require support with from home and continued to support our
their experience with cancer. Since physical, emotional, social, spiritual, clients through scheduled phone calls and
opening the centre on Reservoir Rd just 12 cultural and practical issues. check ins. We also commenced our live
months ago, many clients say the service Aside from our nursing care, our group activities and our clients welcomed
has been life changing, for all the right team of Allied Health professionals us into their living rooms to participate
reasons. They now feel they have access support clients with their diet, exercise, in exercise classes. In May, our core staff
to the missing piece of the ‘dealing with movement and mental health. Clients returned to work from the Wellness Centre
cancer’ puzzle. Fulfilling a vision by local also experience incredible relief from our and prepared the facility to be COVIDSafe
charity COUCH founders Charles and acupuncture, massage and reflexology for when clients return in June.
Pip Woodward, the Wellness Centre has therapists. Plus, the group exercise During the pandemic, we continued to
adapted during the COVID-19 crisis to activities of Yoga, Pilates, Meditation, take on new clients and receive referrals to
continue supporting clients. Tai Chi and Circuit Class are absolute our service. Cancer didn’t stop, so neither
Tropic sits down with the COUCH favourites, particularly the social catch up did our amazing team. We just found a
Wellness Centre’s General Manager Kelli that everyone enjoys during each session. new way to help more people when they
Beardsmore to find out more. That’s where our team of health needed us the most. That’s one positive
Tell us about the range of clients that professionals really help; we are that outcome from COVID, we can now
COUCH Wellness Centre supports… listening ear, we explore options and support more clients via our telehealth and
Our clients are all in differing stages coordinate solutions that empower our online platforms, particularly those who do
of living with cancer. Some have been clients to take control. not live locally.
recently diagnosed and understandably Would you like to share some client The COUCH Wellness Centre team
have so many questions. We can help feedback? reinforced the importance of keeping well,
break their questions down and explain Our clients say “everything is here, all and not waiting until feeling unwell to
what their diagnosis and treatment under the one roof”; they appreciate the make a change. If you have been diagnosed
options mean. Others are undergoing ease of being a part of a comprehensive with cancer, or are within 5 years of
treatment and need support with side service and use what they need, when treatment for cancer – reach out and
effects or impacts from their treatment. they need it. connect with the team to help maintain
We can help with options to manage any Our clients tell us they appreciate the your health and wellbeing.
challenges they may be experiencing. time we provide to understand their
Some clients are in recovery or needs. They never feel rushed and enjoy
survivorship and are looking to re-build connecting with other clients who have
their general health. We also have clients gone through a similar experience. They
who are palliative, but are living well with love being at the Wellness Centre too, it MORE: couch.org.au or
their diagnosis and wish to maintain their feels like a get-away location and so close call 4032 0820
quality of life. to town; it’s their rainforest sanctuary.

72 • Tropic • Issue 24