Clatterbridge Cancer Tour: Inspiring Our Efforts to Make a Difference

As part of our ongoing support for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity , our Charity of the Year, we recently toured The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool. While we expected to learn more about the impact of our fundraising, the experience was far more powerful than any of us anticipated.

Four of us volunteered for the tour, eager to gain a deeper understanding of Clatterbridge’s vital work and to see its state-of-the-art facilities firsthand. The scale of the 11-storey building, which opened in 2020, immediately struck us - it's larger than we expected, clearly designed to provide patients with comfort and peace during what is undoubtedly one of the most difficult times of their lives.

Our guide, Helen McLoughlin , welcomed us at reception, where a detailed Lego model of the hospital sits proudly on display. The replica includes everything from the 110 private rooms to the rooftop terraces with stunning views of Liverpool - a peaceful space for patients and their visitors. Helen explained how the charity supports cancer patients across The Wirral, Merseyside, and Cheshire, areas with significantly higher cancer rates than the rest of the UK. As a Wirral-based company, this hit home for us, underscoring how vital our fundraising is.

The tour began on the radiotherapy floor, where we were struck by the calm, spacious waiting area, complete with tea and coffee facilities - thoughtful touches that make a real difference. There’s even an outdoor courtyard, providing fresh air despite being below ground!

Next, we made our way to the top of the building to visit the chemotherapy wards. Helen explained how patients often form friendships during their visits, and the hospital tries to schedule treatments together to support these bonds. We also learned how Clatterbridge brings chemotherapy treatments to patients’ homes—or, more recently, to their workplaces—a testament to how they adapt to patients’ needs.

We then stopped outside the Teenagers and Young Adults (TYA) ward, a dedicated space for cancer patients aged 16-24. It’s designed to foster a sense of community and offer emotional support to ease feelings of isolation. This unit provides outpatient, day case, and inpatient care. There are also inpatient rooms with space for family members to stay overnight if needed. A dedicated counsellor supports the young patients, and there’s a social area where they can connect with others going through similar experiences.

Throughout the tour, Helen emphasised how Clatterbridge Cancer Charity enhances the care provided by the NHS. While the NHS covers essential medical treatments, the charity funds support for patients, staff, and families - from equipment like cold caps to manage chemotherapy side effects, to additional machines, and wellbeing programmes that improve the overall patient experience. They’ve also committed to investing ￡5 million to research over the next five years.

One initiative that particularly inspired us was the Arts in Health Programme, which brings creative activities such as music, poetry, and performances to patients, focusing on their emotional and mental wellbeing alongside their physical care.

By the time we left the centre, our perception of what happens inside a cancer hospital had completely shifted. Instead of a cold, clinical environment, we witnessed warmth, care, and a profound sense of hope. We left with a renewed determination to continue supporting this incredible charity.

Back at the office, the team has been buzzing with ideas for future fundraisers. We’ve got another darts competition lined up this week, a bake-off, and several of us will be participating in the Santa Dash and Glow Green Walk in February. And of course, the Skydive is fast approaching in March! After seeing the impact Clatterbridge has firsthand, we’re more committed than ever to raising as much as we can!

If you’d like to support Clatterbridge Cancer Charity , you can donate via our JustGiving page here: https://bit.ly/475IDF8