Be Richmond, the Business Improvement District (BID) for Richmond town centre, continues to champion local charities that strengthen community wellbeing and provide vital support to residents across the borough.

Among the organisations making a profound difference locally is The Mulberry Centre, an award-winning independent cancer support charity based within the grounds of West Middlesex University Hospital.

For the past 25 years, The Mulberry Centre has supported individuals and families affected by cancer across Richmond upon Thames and West London, providing free emotional, psychological and practical support at every stage of the cancer journey.

While cancer treatment often focuses on physical care, the emotional and practical challenges can be equally overwhelming. A diagnosis can bring anxiety, isolation, financial strain and uncertainty for both patients and their loved ones. The Mulberry Centre exists to meet these needs, offering holistic support to anyone affected by cancer including patients, carers, family members and those who are bereaved.

In 2024/25 alone, the charity supported 1,555 unique individuals and recorded more than 10,000 service attendances. More than 300 Richmond residents accessed support during that period, with demand for services continuing to rise.

What sets The Mulberry Centre apart is the breadth of support available. Clients can access professional counselling and coaching, complementary therapies such as massage, acupuncture and reflexology, wellbeing classes including yoga, Pilates and tai chi, creative and social activities, welfare and benefits advice, and specialist end-of-life support through the Centre’s Soul Midwife service.

Every individual receives a one-to-one assessment to ensure support is tailored to their specific needs, whether they are newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, living with secondary cancer, recovering after treatment or coping with bereavement.

For Be Richmond, supporting organisations such as The Mulberry Centre reflects the BID’s wider commitment to strengthening community wellbeing and supporting the people who make Richmond such a vibrant and connected place.

“Supporting charities that make a tangible difference to local people is incredibly important to us at Be Richmond,” said Fay Cannings, Chief Executive of Be Richmond.

“The Mulberry Centre provides compassionate, life-changing support for individuals and families navigating the impact of cancer. Their work not only supports emotional and physical wellbeing, but also helps people feel less alone during some of the most challenging times in their lives. We are proud to highlight the incredible impact they continue to have across our community.”

The charity’s impact is reflected in the experiences of those it supports. One Richmond resident described returning to work after cancer as “daunting” and credited The Mulberry Centre with helping them regain confidence and clarity. Another client undergoing chemotherapy said walking through the Centre’s doors helped them feel “safe, seen and supported” during a time of overwhelming uncertainty.

Although based on NHS grounds, The Mulberry Centre receives no core statutory funding and relies on charitable income, grants, donations and corporate partnerships to continue delivering its services.

Volunteers also play a vital role in the charity’s success. Last year alone, 170 volunteers contributed nearly 12,000 hours supporting everything from therapies and counselling to outreach and administration.

Be Richmond is encouraging local businesses to support The Mulberry Centre through fundraising, sponsorship, volunteering and partnership opportunities.

Businesses can support through Charity of the Year partnerships, employee volunteering initiatives, event sponsorship or direct donations, helping ensure local people affected by cancer can continue to access free support when they need it most.

The charity also has a full programme of 25th anniversary fundraising events taking place throughout 2026, including a Corporate Golf Day at Fulwell Golf Club on 11 June, an anniversary concert with the Richmond Orchestra on 16 May and a Gala Ball at The Clayton Hotel in Chiswick on 26 September.

For businesses looking to make a meaningful difference within their local community, supporting The Mulberry Centre offers an opportunity to directly impact the lives of local residents and families affected by cancer.

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