Wessex Cancer Trust

What Wessex Cancer Trust does

Wessex Cancer Trust is a UK-registered charity (Charity Registration No. 1110216) and company limited by guarantee founded in 1981 and headquartered in Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh. It provides free emotional and well-being support to people affected by cancer (patients, survivors, family members, carers and bereaved relatives) across Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The organisation operates four physical cancer support centres (Bournemouth, Chandler's Ford, Isle of Wight and Waterside) and a fleet of six charity shops, supplemented by The Daisy Ring Bus mobile outreach unit and an online service portfolio (remote counselling, dance and movement, sound therapy, MENtalk online, Zoom with Ann, online talks). Service lines span professional counselling, complementary therapies (aromatherapy, massage, reflexology, reiki, beauty/facial treatments), cancer courses such as Life Rebuilt, peer support groups (MENtalk, Sing for Life, Tea and Chat, Walking Groups) and wellbeing activities (meditation, tai chi, yoga). In 2025 the charity reported delivering 18,954 support sessions with a 97% good-or-excellent client satisfaction rating, against a regional market of approximately 20,000 new cancer diagnoses per year.

The underlying technology stack is a standard nonprofit service-delivery platform: in-person and online/virtual service channels, content marketing website, social media presence across X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, monthly e-newsletter, and event-management infrastructure; the input explicitly notes no proprietary technology, no application, no API, and no SDKs. The organisation holds a Cyber Essentials certification and is regulated under the UK Fundraising Regulator framework.

The business/revenue model is fully donation-dependent. Revenue streams comprise individual donations and corporate giving, trust and foundation grants, fundraising events, legacy gifts (gifts in wills), the Wessex Lottery (recurring giving), and retail sales from six charity shops. All client-facing services are provided free of charge, with the charity stating that 100% of donations fund cancer support services. The go-to-market is community-led, relying on self-referral, professional referrals from GPs/hospitals/oncologists under NHS-aligned partnership agreements (Wessex Cancer Alliance, Cancer Matters Wessex), and a network of volunteers supporting retail, fundraising and centre operations.

Name

Wessex Cancer Trust

Legal name

Wessex Cancer Support

Website

https://wessexcancer.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wessex Cancer Trust is a UK charity founded in 1981 delivering free emotional and well-being support to people affected by cancer across Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight via four support centres, six charity shops and online services, funded entirely through donations, fundraising, retail, lottery and legacy income.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (62419)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Palliative Care, Hospice & Serious Illness Support (BPAGACAK)

Keywords

• Cancer support services
• Emotional wellbeing support
• Complementary therapies
• Cancer charity services
• Community fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Eastleigh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate donations, trust and foundation grants, and fundraising event participation (marathons, challenges, community events). The charity emphasizes that 100% of donations fund cancer support services.
2. Charity Retail Shops: Revenue from 6 charity shops selling donated goods. Shops are located in Westbourne, Chandler's Ford, Hythe, Portchester, Weeke, and Freshwater.
3. Legacy Giving: Gifts in wills/bequests from supporters who include the charity in their estate planning.
4. Lottery: Wessex Lottery providing regular giving opportunity for supporters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Wessex Cancer Trust delivers free, non-clinical emotional and wellbeing support to anyone affected by cancer in Dorset, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight. Its core offerings comprise professional counselling, complementary therapies (aromatherapy, massage, reflexology, reiki), peer support and community groups, wellbeing and exercise programmes, and structured cancer courses, delivered through four physical Cancer Support Centres, online and remote channels, a mobile outreach bus, and supported by a network of six charity shops.

Product overview

Wessex Cancer Support (Wessex Cancer Trust) is a charity offering a comprehensive portfolio of free, personalised emotional and wellbeing support services for anyone affected by cancer in Dorset, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight. The organisation operates four physical Cancer Support Centres (Bournemouth, Chandler's Ford, Isle of Wight, and Waterside) providing services in non-clinical settings. Its service portfolio spans in-person support including Complementary Therapies (Aromatherapy, Massage, Reflexology, Reiki, Beauty treatments), a Counselling Service, Wellbeing and Exercise offerings (Meditation, Tai Chi, Yoga), and Peer Support Groups (MENtalk, Sing for Life, Tea and Chat, Walking Groups). The organisation also delivers digital support through Online Cancer Services (Remote counselling, Dance and movement, Sound therapy, Zoom with Ann, MENtalk online) and educational Cancer Courses (Life Rebuilt). Additional offerings include The Daisy Ring Bus for mobile outreach and a network of six Charity Shops for fundraising. Since 1981, the charity has delivered over 18,954 support sessions in 2025, with 100% of donations funding cancer support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bournemouth Cancer Support Centre A professional support centre offering free and local support for those affected by cancer, away from a hospital environment, located in Dorset.
• Chandler's Ford Cancer Support Centre A professional support centre offering free and local support for those affected by cancer, located in Hampshire.
• Isle of Wight Cancer Support Centre A professional support centre offering free and local support for those affected by cancer, located on the Isle of Wight.
• Waterside Cancer Support Centre A professional support centre offering free and local support for those affected by cancer, located in Waterside, Hampshire.
• Counselling Service Professional counselling services for individuals and families affected by cancer, providing emotional support and mental health assistance, delivered free of charge.
• Complementary Therapies A range of therapeutic treatments including Aromatherapy, Beauty and facial treatments, Massage, Reflexology, and Reiki, providing gentle relief for body and mind for those affected by cancer.
• Life Rebuilt Course An educational course designed to help individuals rebuild their lives after a cancer diagnosis.
• Online Cancer Support A range of free online wellbeing and emotional support services including Dance and movement, MENtalk online, Remote counselling, Online talks, Sound therapy, and Zoom with Ann.
• MENtalk A peer support group specifically for men affected by cancer, providing a safe space to share experiences and support one another.
• Sing for Life A choir group providing peer support through music and singing for those affected by cancer.
• Tea and Chat Informal support groups offering conversation and companionship for those affected by cancer.
• Walking Groups Peer support groups combining gentle exercise with social connection through walking activities for those affected by cancer.
• Wellbeing and Exercise Services Services including Meditation, Tai Chi, and Yoga to support physical and mental wellbeing for those affected by cancer.
• The Daisy Ring Bus A mobile cancer support service bringing support directly to communities across the Wessex region.
• Charity Shops Six charity shops located in Westbourne, Chandler's Ford, Hythe, Portchester, Weeke, and Freshwater, selling donated goods to fund cancer support services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18,954 cancer support sessions delivered in 2025
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cancer Matters WessexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS resource providing information on diagnosis, treatment and local services for cancer patients in Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Wessex Cancer Support refers clients to this resource for additional cancer-related information.
• Wessex Cancer AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS alliance bringing together clinicians and managers from health, social care and other services to transform diagnosis, treatment and care for cancer patients. Wessex Cancer Support works with this alliance to lead and inspire innovation and improvement in cancer care.
• Cancer Care MapminorOthersFree online resource helping people find cancer support services near their location. Wessex Cancer Support is listed on this directory.
• CAN-EMPOWERminorOthersOrganisation providing information on psychological and emotional challenges of living with cancer, with coping tools and techniques. Listed as a trusted resource.
• Look Good Feel BetterminorOthersCharity running workshops providing practical advice and support to people living with cancer on appearance and wellbeing. Listed as a trusted resource.
• Mindful Life BournemouthminorOthersLinda from Mindful Life Bournemouth provides mindfulness sessions and guided practices for Wessex Cancer Support clients.
• Corporate Supporters and PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate organisations that support the charity through donations, sponsorships, and partnerships. The charity actively seeks corporate partners to fund services.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Maggie's: UK charity operating a network of physical cancer support centres providing free emotional, practical, and social support to people with cancer and their families. Closest direct peer given the centre-based, in-person support model also deployed by Wessex.
• Tenovus Cancer Care: Welsh cancer charity providing support, counselling, and a mobile support unit across communities — closely comparable operating model to Wessex including a mobile outreach vehicle, support centres, and a lottery. Useful regional comparison on similar scale.
• Young Lives vs Cancer (formerly CLIC Sargent): UK charity supporting children and young people with cancer and their families through emotional, financial, and practical support. Comparable for cancer-specific psychosocial support services and family-unit approach used in Wessex's MENtalk and family support services.
• Cavendish Cancer Care: Regional UK cancer charity (Sheffield-based) offering free complementary therapies, counselling, and wellbeing support for those affected by cancer. Near-direct comparable on services offered (aromatherapy, massage, counselling) and 100% free delivery model.
• Marie Curie: UK charity providing care and support for people living with terminal illness including cancer, alongside a network of hospices and helper volunteers. Comparable for non-clinical emotional and wellbeing support services for cancer patients, though with a stronger end-of-life focus.

Broad incumbents

• British Heart Foundation: Major UK health charity operating a national network of charity shops and funding care and research. Relevant benchmark on charity retail diversification, legacy-giving programs, and governance scale for a charity of similar operational profile.
• Cancer Research UK: UK's largest cancer charity, primarily research-focused but also delivering patient information and some support services. Overlaps with Wessex in fundraising audience and brand awareness; not a direct support-service competitor at the local level.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: Largest UK cancer charity providing emotional support, financial guidance, and information services to people affected by cancer. Direct comparable for service mix (information, support, grants) though operating nationally and with much larger scope and budget than Wessex.
• Hospice UK: National umbrella charity representing UK hospices and palliative-care providers, many of which deliver psychosocial and complementary therapies to cancer patients. Comparable on the palliative-support and complementary-therapies axis where Wessex sits adjacent.

Emerging players

• Look Good Feel Better: UK charity running workshops helping people living with cancer manage appearance and wellbeing side effects. Listed partner of Wessex; operates complementary rather than competing offerings in the cancer wellbeing space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WessexCancer
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@wessexcancersupport
• Facebookfacebook.com/WessexCancer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wessex-cancer-support
• Instagraminstagram.com/wessexcancersupport

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wessex Cancer Trust