Brighton's Macmillan Horizon Centre celebrates its ten-year anniversary

120 people gathered at the Macmillan Horizon Centre, opposite the Sussex Cancer Centre on Bristol Gate to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Macmillan Horizon Centre opening in November 2016.

A mix of clients, volunteers, partners and Macmillan staff were able to get a taste of the support the Centre offers, with demonstration complementary therapies, a cookery workshop demonstration and stalls sharing information about the Information Service, the Welfare Benefits service, the counselling and emotional support services, Active Outlook and other physical activity services, community based acupuncture service and the Horizon Centre Community Garden. Delicious food was prepared by the Horizon Centre café volunteers.

There were also speeches from Cllr Fowler the Mayor of Brighton & Hove and representatives from University Hospital Sussex, Sussex Cancer Fund and Macmillan celebrating the support the Horizon Centre has provided over the last ten years and looking forward to the future.  

Eve, who had been supported by the Centre shared how the support provided had been invaluable help to her at a difficult time. Eve said: "The counselling service gave me somewhere to hold and explore my fear and anxiety. I booked in for 6 sessions of acupuncture – and each time I left feeling like I was walking on clouds. I also booked sessions for massage and reflexology – importantly all these fantastic therapies helped me to begin to reconnect to and trust my body again….. Then when my eyebrows and eyelashes virtually disappeared, I signed up for the Look Good Feel Better workshop– it was such a treat – so much fun – giggles and laughter – and with a new eyebrow pencil in hand – I did feel better … not so sure about Looking Good! Then after surgery early last year in 2025, I joined Active Outlook – an 10 week physical fitness programme with exercises that get harder week by week. It was such a boost to see the amazing progress we all made together from barely being able to reach or stretch or bend – to doing star jumps – almost quite energetically by the end! Then last summer, I experienced so much joy in joining the Group singing sessions. And I loved the 6 week course of one-to-one vocal therapy with Tina - The sessions felt heart-opening and deeply nourishing and really helped me find my voice again.”

The event included a thank you to all the volunteers, currently 153, who play a key part in providing the support the Horizon Centre is able to give people living with cancer.

A special certificate and ten year volunteer badge was presented by the mayor of Brighton & Hove to the ten volunteers who have been volunteering at the Horizon Centre since it opened in 2016. Two volunteers, Bill and Judy, shared the story of why they volunteered at the Horizon Centre and what a positive place they found it to volunteer.

The event closed with a wonderful medley of songs from the duo “The foolish things”.

Details about the Macmillan Horizon Centre can be found at www.macmillan.org.uk/horizoncentre  or by calling the Horizon Centre on 01273 468770

Gemma Peters, Chief Executive Officer, Macmillan Cancer Support said: “We are incredibly proud of the Horizon Centre and the difference it makes every day for people living with cancer. At Macmillan, we believe everyone diagnosed with cancer should have access to the best possible care and support, and that ambition sits at the heart of our new strategy. A great deal has changed since Macmillan was founded in 1911, but our commitment to doing whatever it takes to support people with cancer remains as strong as ever. The Horizon Centre brings that commitment to life, offering vital support, connection and reassurance to people across Brighton and Sussex in a welcoming and inspiring environment. Thank you to the staff, volunteers and supporters whose dedication, compassion and hard work have made the Centre such a success over the past decade. Here's to the next chapter and the many more people whose lives will be touched by your support."