5 Minutes with My Gentle Recovery | Your Cancer Services

24 May 2022 — david-allen

There is strong evidence out there that supports multiple benefits of exercise. Studies evn show that regular exercise can reduce the risk of recurrence of breast, colon and prostate cancers by 20% to 40%.

Gentle Recovery was set up by India Gooderham with a belief that movement is medicine and should be part of a person’s cancer treatment alongside chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. We caught up with India to find out more.

Tell us about your organisation?

Like so many people, I felt the pain of witnessing the effect that cancer has on close family members. My life has been profoundly shaped by these experiences and I felt from a young age a strong desire to help those directly affected by cancer.

After finishing my studies, I trained as a physiotherapist in the UK and went on to specialise in oncology and palliative care. I worked in this sector for many years. Whilst working in the NHS, I witnessed that people with cancer often received high standards of care with regards to diagnosis and treatment, but when it came to rehabilitation, services were often limited or unavailable.

My aim is to bridge the gap between active treatment and independence / survivorship by providing professional online rehabilitation support. I believe everyone deserves expert support and guidance in their rehabilitation after a diagnosis of cancer, I know that this can be difficult to find. 

My mission is to empower you with your own cancer-specific, daily self-care programme, using yoga-inspired exercise and relaxation sessions that support you to feel stronger, more flexible and more resilient in body and mind. I was fortunate to find Yoga in my teens, I was struggling with eating disorders and stress. Yoga immediately became a sanctuary for me, I learnt to listen to my body, to be gentle with myself and to understand that this ancient practice supported my WHOLE being, so much more than just exercise. Yoga has been a trusted companion ever since.

I could see the huge protentional of yoga for people affected by cancer, so then went on to train as a Cancer Yoga teacher. I subsequently trained as a Cancer Exercise Specialist, and have been awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Palliative Care from Cardiff University.

Gentle Recovery is the culmination of my life’s experiences, nearly twenty years of focusing on the wellness of others, specifically those suffering with cancer.

What services do you offer people living with cancer?

Gentle Recovery offers online 1-2-1 coaching or pre-recorded online recovery and wellness programmes.

Do you have a target demographic who use your services?

Yes.

The Gentle Recovery for Breast Cancer 12 week programme is designed for women who have finished their active phase of treatment and their doctor has given their OK to start exercising again.

1-2-1 online coaching is available for men and women with any cancer type at any stage of treatment, recovery or palliative care.

How have things changed for you since COVID-19? 

Gentle Recovery was founded at the beginning of the pandemic whilst I was travelling in Morocco, in a motorhome with my young family. The pandemic made me reflect on how isolated people recovering from cancer must be feeling and how few resources were available to support rehabilitation and recovery. I worked every day for a couple of hours creating the 12 week “Gentle Recovery for Breast Cancer’ online programme. It has been a labour of love but am so happy with the final product and so excited that women are starting to benefit from the course. For women who sign up for the programme there is an online hub where they can connect with other women on the programme, ask questions, support each other and be each other’s cheer leaders. I believe together, we are stronger.

What’s the most rewarding thing about the work you do?

It warms my heart to feel I am helping bridge the gap between active treatment and living independently into survivorship through the online Gentle Recovery for Breast Cancer programme.

What would you say to those who are considering getting in touch with you but are nervous or apprehensive?

I offer a free, no pressure, discovery call so that we can discuss where you are at now, what your challenges are, what you need help with, and how Gentle Recovery can support you with this. 

Do you have testimonials from people that have used your services?

1-2-1 coaching client:

“I got to know India through a friend. At that moment, it had been 2 weeks since I finished my last chemotherapy and 7 months since I had my last surgery. I didn’t feel fit and really needed guidance to feel stronger physically and mentally. We first had an extensive intake interview in which we discussed my situation. India wanted to know everything so she knew exactly how I was feeling and what I could handle. I immediately felt at ease with her. She listened carefully and asked the right questions. After that, we had a weekly session in which we increased the intensity slightly each week. The nice thing is that she starts with a number of basic skills, which you can easily apply in your daily life. Another big advantage is that India has both her expertise as a physiotherapist and yoga instructor. This combination is very nice, because as an (ex) cancer patient you can use both physical and mental support very well. India has a very good concept which will be very much appreciated by many women. Now after almost 3 months I feel so much fitter and feel that I can get back to my old self with the guidance of India! Thank you, India.”
Linda

Gentle Recovery for Breast Cancer online programme client:

“This online course has helped me take back a sense of control of my life. Before I started my fatigue was so debilitating. The bite-sized sessions meant I could do them when my energy levels were higher and then I did the relaxation sessions before sleep which really helped me get deeper rest at night. So happy I can continue to use these resources for a whole year.”

Loretta, Breast Cancer Survivor

What are the values of your organisation?

Empathy

Expert knowledge

Compassion 

Empowerment 

Integrity 

And finally, can you describe your organisation in 3 words…

Together we’re stronger (whoops that’s 4 words really!)