Wessex Haven

Who we are

History

In 1996 Sara Davenport sold her art gallery in order to start The Haven. She was inspired to do this when a close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer and she saw the need to create somewhere like the Haven to support her recovery.  Our Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, opened the first Haven in Fulham, South West London. In January 2004 he opened the Hereford Haven, whilst the third was opened in Leeds in October 2008. Our fourth centre in Hampshire opened on 26th October 2015. To date we have helped over 11,500 Visitors with over 154,000 clinical and therapeutic appointments for women and men affected by breast cancer.

Why is there a need for The Haven?

1. 1 in 8 women develops breast cancer in the UK

2. Nearly 50,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year

3. Nearly 250 women will die of breast cancer this week

4. Men can get breast cancer too

The Wessex Haven is a breast cancer day centre offering free support, information and complementary therapies to anyone affected by breast cancer. We provide a comforting environment where Visitors can benefit from the support of our welcoming staff and from meeting others going through similar experiences.

Our vision: Is that everyone affected by breast cancer gets the help they need.

Our mission: We exist to improve the quality of life for people affected by breast cancer by providing personalised emotional and physical support

Fundraising

Our Haven funds are raised through a variety of methods managed by our Fundraising Team. We have a successful annual events programme. Trusts and foundations also contribute significantly to the annual fundraising requirement as do individuals through our Haven Guardian programme.

Current difficulties in funding the NHS mean that we do not expect that the government will provide funds to support complementary therapies, at least until such time as their use can be proven to reduce the cost of conventional treatment. The Haven, therefore, receives no government funding. Our plans assume that running costs and the funding of future Havens have to be met through charitable donations and fundraising events. 

The Haven has enjoyed considerable success in a short period of time. Its plans are ambitious. Its fundraising and marketing strategy must secure the charity through the current economic climate and also keep pace with planned expansion.

It is a very exciting time to be joining the Haven as we have just opened our fourth centre and look to expand over the next 10 years across the country.