WHAT WE DID

 Breast Cancer Haven was founded by Sara Davenport in 1997. The idea for the charity came following the experience of a close family friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Sara was concerned by the lack of emotional support and information available at that time to anyone diagnosed with the disease. Believing that “no-one should have to face breast cancer alone”, Sara sold her art business and put all of her energy into creating Breast Cancer Haven.

Prior to March 2020, people affected by breast cancer would visit one of our five welcoming support Centres based in South-West London, Leeds, Solihull, Hereford, and Titchfield, Hampshire or our two hospital-based outreaches in Worcester and North London.

These Centres, our Havens, were well appointed, peaceful and safe. They were designed to be tranquil spaces where visitors could relax, focus on putting their lives back together and meet others.

Our core provision was delivered through our free face-to-face support programme to people who were able to travel to one of our locations. This was made up of 12 hours of one-to-one appointment time and would include two hours with an experienced healthcare professional and up to 10 hours of intensive one–to-one therapy time.

Due to the impact of COVID-19 our Havens were closed, our fundraised income was greatly depleted, and the expense of running indefinitely closed buildings was not viable, nor deemed to be a worthy use of charitable funds. Self-help films and audios and information about other sources of help are available on our website and on YouTube.