This week, the Wester Hailes Health Agency celebrated the opening of their new cancer support centre in Wester Hailes.

Westerhaven Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre provides support for cancer sufferers and will also offer information and support to the families and carers of those with cancer.

Run by Macmillan Cancer Support and Wester Hailes Health Agency, people will also be able to speak to a dietician, receive counselling and complementary therapies such as massage. Advice on the range of benefits available to sufferers and their families is also available. The service was started after a local GP noticed there was a high number of cancer sufferers in the area.  Linda Arthur, from the Wester Hailes Health Agency said: "Westerhaven was born out of a local GP, Dr. Sineaid Bradshaw, noticing the high incidence of cancer in the Wester Hailes Medical Practice.

ELGT is priviledged to have also been involved in this project, having just carried out work to improve the outdoor space for users of the centre, by creating a new garden space for use by staff and service users.  The objective of the project was to increase the facilities on offer, by improving the appearance of the site, and to provide additional space where people can meet, relax and talk in a friendly and contemplative environment.  The planting includes herbs and sensory planting and the aim will be to make these available to visitors, and to involve them in planting and gardening activities in the future.

This garden project was delivered by the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust and funded thanks to the People's Postcode Trust and Scotmid.

Wester Hailes Health Agency - http://www.whhealthagency.co.uk
Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust - http://www.elgt.org.uk 
People's Postcode Trust - http://www.postcodetrust.org.uk 

The Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust is holding a drop-in event to plant wildflowers on a stretch of the Innertube. The ELGT team will be there between 11am - 2pm on Sunday 13th May and people are welcome to come and join us throughout the session, to help for a few minutes or stay for the whole session.

Meet us at the SWT Wildflower Meadow on the section of the Innertube cycle way between Craighall Road & Fiveways Junction.

Gloves and tools will be provided.

For further information, please contact Esperanza@elgt.org.uk or 0131 445 4025

This project has been funded by the Central Scotland Green Network and People's Postcode Trust

You can watch an HD version of my interview with Mark Beaumont by following this link.