Over 220 spas register for new industry standard for cancer touch therapy, launched by Sue Harmsworth
– Sue Harmsworth
Sue Harmsworth, industry influencer and founder of ESPA, has recently announced the launch of the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC).
Initially revealed in March, the SATCC’s mission is to offer a national standard enabling people touched by cancer access to appropriately qualified therapists and spas that are capable of catering to cancer sufferers’ individual needs, and to provide a safe platform for spas to find training courses.
Speaking to Spa Business, Harmsworth explained that the organisation has been “hugely well-received” and that over 220 spas are now SATCC-accredited, with that number growing daily.
She revealed that the SATCC is working alongside breast cancer awareness charity, CoppaFeel!, with its founder, Kris Hallenga, working as an SATCC ambassador.
She also outlined that the group has ambitions to work with a host of charities to help support those touched by cancer by directing them to its accredited spas.
The need
Recent evidence has suggested one in two people born after 1970 in the UK are going to be touched by cancer, and that 60 per cent of both cancer patient cases and recurrent cancer cases are preventable by lifestyle choices.
Massage therapy can be used to support people who’ve had cancer and has been proven to reduce anxiety and depression and improve sleep quality.
Yet despite this, a vast number of spas still turn away people touched by cancer – arguably at the time they need the most support – due to lack of knowledge and fear of liability.
The action
Harmsworth formed the SATCC with a group of owners and founders of leading training providers in the UK and Ireland who share a combined 327 years worth of industry expertise and have trained well over 10,000 therapists - see complete list of members below.
The group’s 13-strong advisory board created an informed and jointly-agreed national standard which outlines guidelines for therapists on maintaining safe and effective methods of care while performing massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and other spa treatments on people affected by cancer.
It’s also launched a standards document, website, charter and separate evidence document outlining existing proven evidence of the many short- and long-term benefits of massage therapy for those touched by cancer, ranging from reducing stress and pain intensity to improving quality of life.
The standards document features specific guidelines for therapists on how to prepare, plan and conduct cancer touch therapy as well as information regarding complex contra-indications such as heat and lymphedema, and how to handle these appropriately.
The organisation aims to offer a reliable and centralised platform for therapists to find SATCC-accredited training courses and for consumers to find appropriately qualified therapists and spas.
To achieve this, the SATCC partnered with online consumer spa directory, SpaBreaks.com, to allow consumers to identify spas with accredited therapists.
It’s also teamed up with Think Tree Hub – an online professional association for complementary therapists, practitioners, courses providers and the public seeking professional health treatments and accredited courses – to direct visitors to SATCC-accredited training providers and courses.
Follow this link to read more about the SATCC, or click here to access its new website.
Complete list of the SATCC’s committee
- Amanda Winwood: MD of Made for Life Organics and founder of Made for Life
- Foundation and Cancer Touch Therapy Training
- Christine Clinton: founder of Christine Clinton Cancer Care
- Debbie Moore: co-founder of the Amethyst Trust
- Diane Hey: standards and qualification technical advisor to Habia Board
- Jennifer Young: owner of Jennifer Young and Defiant Beauty
- John Holman: MD of Hydrotherm Massage Systems
- Julie Speed: co-founder of the Amethyst Trust
- Kim Ford: global consultancy examiner and lecturer
- Kush Kumar: CEO of Think Tree Hub
- Lisa Barden: group director of spa and wellness at Arora
- Marc Innes: principal of School of Natural Therapies
- Marian Hook: director of MJH Spa and Wellbeing
- Sue Harmsworth: founder of ESPA and Sue Harmsworth Ltd
Sue Harmsworth gives GWS masterclass webinar on the spa and wellness industry in the age of COVID-19
Exclusive: Sue Harmsworth launches Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care
FEATURE: Spa people – Sue Harmsworth
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
