Clan Stories

Having been a paramedic, the most important thing I was told to have in my kit was a blanket.  This is because no matter what, putting a blanket around someone makes them feel like you've got them.  This is what Clan has been for me.

I joined Clan as my wife passed away three years ago and she loved going to Clan. 

Everyone was so nice and helpful, and it took her mind of cancer for a few hours. And all the therapies she received helped as well. So I decided to help Clan as a driver, support worker, and also a fundraiser.

A friend suggested visiting Clan for a bit of extra support from people who truly understand the ongoing impact a cancer diagnosis has. Many of the volunteers there have experienced it themselves. They know it’s not just dealing with surgery and treatment. They know that it takes time to come to terms with a challenging new reality. And they know the things that can help people to cope. 

For some people that comes with meeting people in a similar emotional or psychological place. For some it comes with having someone to talk to. For others it comes in different ways. For me, I realised that the alternative therapies offered by Clan might help me with things like sleep and pain management. There are various different alternative therapies available and after talking to one of the wonderful volunteers, we thought Reiki might be the best option for me. 

I have now had three sessions of Reiki and can honestly say it’s been transformative. I have no idea how it works (I don’t know how the internal combustion engine works either but that that doesn’t stop me driving!) but it has genuinely made a huge difference. My sleep has improved, the pain is now a side show instead of the main event, I enjoy food again, I have more energy and I’m looking forward to life instead of feeling anxious about what might lie ahead. Remarkable after only 3 sessions! 

I am truly grateful for the surgery that saved my life. And I’m just as grateful for the Reiki that has helped to give back my quality of life. 

Just wanted to email to pass on my thanks and gratitude following my visit today to your venue. It was my first visit for a reflexology session which was lovely. The therapist was excellent, very friendly and professional. It was very relaxing and such a great experience. This service is such an asset to the centre.

Clan has been invaluable in my journey toward better mental well-being & help me with my Grief journey. Their listening service has provided a compassionate and non-judgmental space for me to express myself openly, and the support I’ve received from them has truly made a difference in my life.

Clan is an Oasis to me.

From the moment I made my referral online using the simple to use form, to the initial phone call with Naomi, to arriving at the beautiful and calm Clan House the entire experience was Hugely positive. 

Naomi Murdo provided expert guidance and advice to support me when I felt very useless and hopeless. The room where we met was a real haven where I felt at ease and safe. Her advice was easy to follow and I have started to implement them immediately. 

The service this small team offer is providing is absolutely essential to vulnerable groups of society and will have life long impact. Everyone should know about this tremendous team and how they can help. Thank you Naomi and thank you Clan.

My cancer journey began in 2024. After I received my diagnosis of bowel cancer, I asked for advice from the Colonoscopy nurses at the ARI, they in turn guided me towards Clan.

I contacted Clan and they advised me of the services they provide. I started attending the Western Road Centre for counselling. I found the staff I had contact with from receptionists, counsellors, and therapists to be very approachable, friendly, empathetic and impartial in the roles they play.

Although I had a good support network externally, I felt I needed someone who was impartial to help me understand what I was going through.

I found the sessions to be very beneficial in the respect of trying to come to terms with my cancer diagnosis. The phases of a cancer diagnosis are complex and nothing prepares you for what you are about to encounter, each case is unique to the individual, that’s what makes Clan so special. It’s not that you are being selfish, thinking of yourself, but it’s still hard to explain to someone what you’re going through unless they have prior knowledge or experience of cancer.

I feel without Clan my cancer journey would have been much more difficult, what the staff do is priceless, they provide cancer patients and their families with invaluable support before, during and after the cancer diagnosis. I can’t thank them enough.