National cancer charity Maggie’s has joined forces with the Trinity Holistic Centre in the grounds of The James Cook University Hospital, at the invitation of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Maggie’s marked the moment with a celebratory event where guests included Maggie’s Chief Executive Dame Laura Lee DBE and University Hospitals Tees Group Chief Executive Stacey Hunter.
Dame Laura Lee, DBE, said: “I am delighted to be in Middlesbrough today to celebrate that people living with cancer from across Teesside, North Yorkshire and County Durham now have access to Maggie’s expert support.
“Maggie’s is there for everyone who needs it, and we are free with no appointment or referral necessary. We know this makes a huge difference to helping people cope with their diagnosis – from getting ready for cancer treatment, help with potential side-effects, support after treatment, providing benefits advice or coping with advanced cancer.
“Bringing our support to Middlesbrough has been made possible thanks to the NHS, Our Hospitals Charity, Carlton Power and the Wainstones Hotel. I am so grateful to everyone who has made this happen.”
Growing need
Stuart Gulliver, Chair of Maggie’s, was also present to celebrate Maggie’s support coming to Middlesbrough.
He said: “With the number of people receiving a cancer diagnosis set to grow even further over the next decade, the need for a Maggie’s is even more important – we are on a mission to ensure that everyone impacted by cancer in the UK can access the emotional and practical support they need.
“It is excellent to be in Middlesbrough today to mark being one step closer to completing this mission. This is an important moment for Maggie’s, the NHS and the community – only made possible thanks to strong partnership working with NHS and Carlton Power and the Wainstones Hotel.”
Maggie’s expert support will hugely benefit people like Rachel Hanley, from Middlesbrough, who is living with secondary breast cancer and currently supported by Maggie’s in Newcastle.
Rachel said: “After my stage 4 diagnosis in 2017, I found a safe space in Maggie’s Newcastle. The expertise and support I received from the team is second to none. Joining a facilitated support group for others going through the same was very comforting and reassuring.
"Newcastle is quite far from where I live, so to have a Maggie’s in Middlesbrough will be an absolute lifeline. I look forward to making connections to others in my community.”
The charity has joined forces with the Trinity Holistic Centre and will now deliver Maggie’s expert psychological, emotional and practical support to people with cancer, as well as family and friends, across the University Hospitals Tees area.
University Hospitals Tees Chief Executive Stacey Hunter said:
“We are delighted to now have Maggie’s on site at The James Cook University Hospital offering practical, emotional and psychological care and support to everyone affected by cancer across the University Hospitals Tees area.
“Special thanks to everyone who has fundraised for and supported the Trinity Holistic Centre over the years. We hope you will all join us in welcoming Maggie’s to the Middlesbrough centre as they look to continue and expand this fantastic support service.”
Royal approval
Maggie’s announced in February 2025 they would be joining forces with the Trinity Holistic Centre when the charity’s President, Her Majesty The Queen, met Dame Laura Lee and representatives from University Hospitals Tees on a visit to Middlesbrough Town Hall.
Maggie’s Middlesbrough Centre Head Michelle Holmes has been a nurse for 15 years. For 12 of those Michelle worked in oncology, specifically cancer care and the delivery of chemotherapy.
She said: “Maggie’s expert support is vital in helping people to live well with cancer and I know how desperately this is needed in Middlesbrough and the surrounding area.
“I am delighted we are now here to welcome people and I am incredibly proud to now be able to support people living with cancer, as well as family and friends, from across the Teesside, North Yorkshire and County Durham region.”
Funding Maggie’s
The majority of funding for Maggie’s in Middlesbrough will come from voluntary donations.
Maggie’s Middlesbrough will be generously supported by Carlton Power the Wainstones Hotel.
Our Hospitals Charity, the charitable arm of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is contributing towards the first two years running costs of Maggie’s in Middlesbrough.
Maggie’s has 30 years of experience and expertise providing free cancer support and information in centres across the UK. Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, the centres are warm and welcoming and are run by expert staff, who help people live well with cancer.