Cancer patients get to ‘look good and feel better’ in hospital pamper sessions

Female patients undergoing treatment for cancer got the chance to take part in a charity makeover session at their local hospital.

The luxurious pamper afternoons are run by the Look Good Feel Better charity at Lincoln County Hospital, to help women combat the visible side effects of cancer treatment.  

During the two-hour workshops, ladies are treated to a number of different skin and beauty demos, in addition to receiving a gift bag containing a selection of donated products.

Lyn Tattersal, Regional Coordinator for Look Good Feel Better in Lincoln, said: “We run these workshops on the first Wednesday of every month, the charity started 25 years ago and we now operate in 138 hospitals across the UK.  

“Each lady gets a bag full of beauty products which has been kindly donated by various cosmetic and toiletry companies and we go through a 12-step process which includes guidance on cleansing, moisturising and how to apply make-up.”  

Seventy-year-old Lorna Martin attended the session along with her daughter Kerry Walsh (50), both have just finished a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Kerry initially found a lump on her breast and encouraged her mum to check for one too.   

“I wasn’t sure about the session at first so I thought I’d come along with my daughter to give her some moral support,” said Lorna who lives in Alford.  

“I think it’s a great idea and it’s lovely to get a bit of pampering.

  “We’ve supported each other all the way through our treatment and I have to say that all the hospital staff have been magnificent.”    

Yaves Lallo, Divisional Managing Director for Cancer Services at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said she was delighted to be able to host the workshops for her patients.  

“It’s a really lovely session and great to see all the ladies chatting and so relaxed,” she said.  

“They are all extremely brave and have undergone major treatment so it’s great to be able to give them a small treat.  

“We are hoping to set up some men’s sessions in the near future as we know that they too would benefit from this kind of support.” 

  Visit the website www.lgfb.co.uk to learn more about the makeover sessions.