The Making of Manor House Therapies

A version of this article appeared in the Spring Edition of International Therapist magazine, April 2026.

"I began my career over 20 years ago as a therapist with a clear and very personal vision to support people impacted by cancer diagnosis and those living with loss and bereavement. At the time, I had no idea this vision would one day grow into something much bigger, shaping how complementary therapies could support hospice care and the people at the heart of it.

I was first introduced to complementary therapy in 2001 through my mum, who was living with secondary breast cancer. During her treatment journey, she received Reiki and Reflexology and I witnessed first-hand the comfort, relief and sense of calm these therapies offered her during an incredibly challenging time.

Inspired by this, I went on to learn Reiki with the practitioner who supported my Mum, before returning to college to train in Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Massage and later, Oncology Massage.

At that time, opportunities for Complementary Therapists within a clinical setting were extremely limited. I wasn’t a nurse and I didn’t have a clinical background, without this experience it was almost impossible to gain access to those environments. It was a frustrating cycle because experience was needed to enter the setting, but the setting was required to gain experience. I began to see a clear gap in the system which excluded skilled therapists who could bring real value to patient care.

As my client base grew over the years and I branched into the Spa industry, more and more people presented with chronic conditions, cancer diagnoses and experiences of loss. I still had my original vision of specialising in this field and that opportunity came in 2017, when I saw an advert from

St Columba's Hospice Care for a part time Complementary Therapy Co-ordinator. The role involved setting up a Complementary Therapy Service from the ground up. I applied for the post and I still remember the words of the Deputy CEO who acknowledged that taking on someone without a clinical background was a gamble, but she believed in my vision and I was offered the position.

Within my first year, I collaborated with Edinburgh College and then more recently with Complementary Therapy School, creating opportunities for students to gain experience within a hospice environment. I then went on to collaborate with Marie Duggan of Butterfly Touch Therapies, providing clinical placements for students completing onocology e-learning. This partnership model benefitted everyone as students gained essential experience, the Hospice expanded its capacity and our families received more holistic support. The Complementary Therapy Service has evolved during this time, with two Complementary Therapy Leads appointed and more recently, two of our complementary therapy volunteers successfully transitioning into contracted roles.

In 2020, my role expanded as I was asked to launch and develop our new Wellbeing Service, offering people living with a palliative condition a range of sessions that can help support with social connection, mobility and self-care. The service created introduced an innovative self-referral model using an online booking system that allows people to choose and engage in sessions that are important to them.

During this time, I was approached by our CEO with a new and ambitious idea to create and lead a holistic therapy space in the Victorian building across the road from the Hospice. Previously used for education and business meetings, the building offered an opportunity to expand our reach to the public with the model based on a social enterprise business. All income generated would return directly to the Hospice, to support free care for people with life-limiting conditions and those at end of life.

I went home that night with a large blank noticeboard, covered it in dark green Christmas wrapping paper and began mapping out the space. I started to place what was in my head onto what became my vision board. A reception area, waiting room, four therapy rooms and a staff room. I began filling the board with images of interiors, lighting, therapy equipment, colour samples, brands for our products and so on.

Naming and branding the space was key. While walking around the building with our Marketing and Communications Lead, I looked up over main house door entrance and saw in gold writing ‘Manor House’. It was decided then we would call it ‘Manor House Therapies’.

The building is situated looking over the Firth of Forth with spectacular sea views and surrounded by beautiful grounds, hosting a large copper beech tree. One of its former owners Sir JD Pollock, was a ship-breaking company owner, apothecary and philanthropist. Ornamental railings and staircases salvaged from the ship Aquitania still feature in the building. Inspired by this history, we developed the theme of Land and Sea, creating a sense of continuity, grounding and renewal - bringing an old house back to life with new purpose.

Choosing our products was a significant part in creating an ethical, values-led brand. ishga, representing marine-based therapy and Made For Life Organics, representing the botanical, aligned perfectly with our vision. I had trained in ishga in 2014 and had long admired their ethos. I had also connected with Amanda Winwood in 2017, drawn to her work delivering cancer-safe touch therapy.

Reconnecting in early 2025, I shared the vision of Manor House Therapies. I was delighted when both leading Spa brands agreed to be our partners. Never did I think then that it would evolve into a partnership where the brands also collaborated with us to co-create a bespoke Manor House Therapies Signature Massage.

Armed with my vision board, staffing model and estimated projections, I presented the proposal to our board of directors. They gave us the green light to proceed with an application for funding to the Wolfson Foundation to support refurbishment and start-up costs. We were delighted when we were offered £32,700, allowing us to turn vision into reality.

It was important to me to create a welcoming, comforting, safe environment, which was accessible to all, while creating a practical space for my team to deliver holistic therapies. During the refurbishment I asked one of the tradesmen what they thought of the colours. His reply? ‘It feels like you are getting a big hug walking in here.’ I knew then we had chosen the right paint!

After 12 months of planning, Manor House Therapies opened its doors. Today, I lead an incredible team of four, three Holistic/Spa therapists certified in ishga and Made for Life products and treatments, and certified in Advance Cancer Touch Therapy (accredited with the SATCC), alongside an accredited BACP Counsellor.

Our treatment menu has a wide range of therapies, including those specifically designed for people experiencing chronic conditions, cancer or emotional stress.

We continue to build partnerships, reconnect with external support groups and develop opportunities for student placements through Edinburgh college and St Columba's Hospice Care volunteering services. We have also just recruited a volunteer to help us with looking after our growing collection of plants!

Our ‘sister’ social enterprise, Studio15, launched in 2024 within the Hospice grounds, offering hair, nails, brows and lashes. With a strong and growing client base, Studio15 is expanding further this year, creating new employment opportunities. Together, these enterprises demonstrate that wellbeing looks different for everyone and that accessible, inclusive services can generate income while staying rooted in compassion and care.

All income from these services is reinvested directly back into St Columba’s Hospice Care, supporting free services for people at the most vulnerable times of their lives. This is innovation in action which will allow us to reduce reliance on donations alone, create sustainable income streams and expand the Hospice’s reach into the wider community.

At the launch of Manor House Therapies, my Gran, my Mum’s mum, was there. At 100 years old, she has believed in my vision throughout every stage of my career. When our CEO invited her to cut the ribbon and officially open the space, it felt like everything had come full circle. She has since booked a treatment herself, looking after her own wellbeing, while giving back to others.

Manor House Therapies, alongside Studio15, represents more than holistic and beauty services. Together they form an innovative, hospice-led social enterprise model, one that integrates wellbeing into healthcare, creates pathways for learning and employment and ensures that every treatment delivered helps support people living with life-limiting conditions.

It truly is the best feeling."

Journal.