Opened in 2019, the Health and Wellbeing Centre at Dumfries House provides a range of holistic services to the local community. Services are GP and patient-led, with referrals from primary and secondary care providers. Run by The Prince’s Foundation, it provides an Integrated Health and Wellbeing Programme, with the centre also open to health charities and other organisations.

Complementary therapies include reflexology, acupuncture and hypnotherapy to help participants attain outcomes such as fertility wellbeing, menopausal health, living with cancer, chronic pain management, and a weight management programme to help support individuals diabetes and obesity.

The aim is to augment conventional treatments with complementary therapies offering a holistic approach which takes into account physical health and emotional wellbeing.

The purpose-built centre is located in an area of the 2000-acre estate called Stockiehill, the site of the former gate lodges. It comprises one large room, which comfortably seats up to 20 people and is used for group activity and exercise sessions. The centre also has its own meditation room, and five smaller rooms which are used as treatment rooms for individual therapies. With energy-efficient underfloor heating throughout the centre, the building provides much-needed space for the programmes practicing therapists.

The Integrated Health Programme

The Integrated Health and Wellbeing Programme uses a holistic approach offering participants the chance to focus on the interconnectedness of their mind, body and spirit when considering their health and wellbeing. Through education on health, wellness and wellbeing, as well as increased movement and activity levels, the approach has seen benefits such as:

• Increased confidence
• Increased feeling of wellbeing, purpose and self-worth
• Increased participation in activity
• Improvement in self-management of conditions
• Decreased social isolation

Throughout the programme we endeavour to integrate our holistic approach within the whole estate. For example, participants experience the benefits of nutrition through the support of cooking sessions with the cook school, and planting and harvesting in the Education Garden. Physical activity in the Sports Hall, sewing with the textile education and mindful walking through the Estate grounds. Participants also have the opportunity to tour the house at the end of each programme building and developing ownership for the House as a community asset, with many regularly returning.

All programmes are supported by NHS Ayrshire & Arran and East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, with regular inputs from consultants, GPs and other specialists.

Thanks to the facilities offered by the new centre, cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness therapy has also been introduced. Last year the centre hosted an eight-week course and taster sessions on mindfulness therapy, and there are plans this year to run six further eight-week courses.

The Bristol-based cancer charity Penny Brohn has been able to increase its offering, and now run 4 programmes annually, while fellow cancer charities Ayrshire Cancer Support and Macmillan Cancer Support now run therapy and activity sessions from the centre.

With scope to host conferences and meetings for organisations, the new centre has welcomed The College of Medicine, guests of Harmony Day and Apothecary Weekend events, with a Fertility Conference set to attract delegates from across the UK in 2020.

For more information please email health@dumfries-house.org.uk or call 01290 427979.

In recognition of Dr Gabriel and Mrs Christine Chiu's support of The Prince's Foundation, these programmes are known as "The Prince’s Foundation Chiu Health and Wellness Programmes"

With support from the People’s Postcode Lottery. More information about the People's Postcode Lottery can be found here.

A review of the work to the centre to date can be found here