The Pink Place
You may have read in the September edition of the Rabbiter magazine that The Pink Place has been appointed Sainsbury’s local charity of the year. They were selected following votes by customers and members of staff which means they will be supported by the store in various activities until the end of next July. In the last week of September male members took part in a fashion show at the Holiday Inn and fifteen staff members were involved in a sponsored climb of Snowdon on 27 – 29 September. Some of Sainsbury’s ladies also volunteer at the Pink Place.
But what exactly is The Pink Place all about? Started in 2010 by Julia Dingwall, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and friend Janis Taylor who supported her during her treatment with her hairdressing and beauty expertise, they realised that there was a real need for a support group for ladies going through similar traumatic experiences. Over time they have brought together volunteers to provide a wide range of complementary services as well as having social events, coffee mornings and a monthly lunch club to create a talking shop where ladies provide support to newcomers about their experience coming through cancer.
Right from the start the two founders felt it important that this local group, although supported by the NHS Breast Care Unit, should be positioned away from the hospital. In recent times they have transformed the two floors above Taylor’s Hair & Beauty Studio at 3 Wote Street in Basingstoke into areas to provide very welcome TLC to their clients. This includes not only hair (and wig fitting, cutting and styling) but other beauty treatments including nails, massages and reflexology all with fully qualified and insured therapists.
Open every Monday and alternate Tuesdays they are seeing increasing numbers of women who benefit from this free service , although of course wigs need to be bought. They achieved Charity Status in 2013 which means that the Charity Commissioners are satisfied as to the aims and practices of The Pink Place and this helped them to be successful in Basingstoke’s A Place to Be Proud of Awards. And increased footfall means that more volunteers are needed; not only hair and beauty specialists, nail technicians and massage and reflexology therapists but a corporate fundraiser is also required. Future plans include sessions for men’s cancer.
We all know someone who has been affected by cancer and the services provided by The Pink Place have proven to be of great help in the dark days after diagnosis and going through treatment. If you need to contact them the best way is either to visit their comprehensive web site www.thepinkplace.org.uk, phone 07899 970841 or simply drop in. If you are a potential client or interested in volunteering or fundraising you will be sure to receive a warm welcome.
