The Love Hope Strength co-founders have long espoused the simple but effective principle of ‘walking and talking’ regularly as a means of reducing the risk of cancer and staying well when diagnosed with cancer. The focus on staying well, and adopting the five ways to wellbeing (Connect; Get active; Take notice; Learn; Give) as a basis for all Love Hope Strength activity, has led LHS to develop a series of activities to stay well.
Treat:Retreat
Love Hope Strength co-founders Mike and Jules Peters decided in 2007, when Mike was recovering from treatment after his leukaemia diagnosis, to devote a percentage of their time and money to giving back and helping move treatment and care forwards for others affected by cancer. Their resolve to help other families only strengthened when Jules was diagnosed with breast cancer almost a decade later.
As musicians, the Peters lead busy lives touring the world, enjoying the buzz of rock and roll, but nevertheless they appreciate the calm of the picturesque village in which they live in North Wales. They love spending time in the peaceful mountains that surround it, and the stunning beaches that are a short drive away. The Peters have converted a Chapel in the village, and now offer people affected by cancer the opportunity to rest, relax, regroup, recuperate, reset, retreat – to do what they need to do to help give them hope, build their strength and feel loved – at this beautiful place.
In January 2024 Love Hope Strength held its first annual Treat:Retreat for people affected by cancer. The 2024 Treat:Retreat was specifically for ladies affected by breast cancer. The Treat:Retreat is provided free of charge for all participants. The accommodation is provided free of charge by the Peters family. The charity covers all cleaning costs, food and activity costs. The annual Treat:Retreat breaks are themed and open to up to 22 people at one time.
- The Love Hope Strength Treat:Retreat is a two night break in Dyserth, North Wales.
- The Treat:Retreat is open to people from anywhere in the world. All attendees must pay their travel, unless travel costs are approved by the Treat:Retreat Panel.
- The dates for the Treat:Retreat breaks are disclosed after the panel has prioritised places. The Treat:Retreats are held in January.
- Those attending could be receiving treatment or could be post treatment.
- Activities and sessions with health and wellbeing experts will be laid. These activities are not compulsory. In 2024, attendees enjoyed a sound back, yoga, pilates, arts and music sessions and short walks.
- This weekend would be enjoyed by people who: enjoy or may benefit from sharing their experiences with others who have also received a cancer diagnosis; would gain from having time away to reflect on their diagnosis and the impact it has had on their life; enjoy the outdoors (all levels of fitness are able to join this weekend); deserve to take some time out to focus on themselves.
- Attendees will be expected to share a room, and may need to get involved in preparing meals.
- The 22 places will be prioritised by the Love Hope Strength Retreat:Treat panel.
21 Day Challenge
The LHS 21 Day Challenge is all about positive change. Research suggests that to form a good habit you should do something every day for 21 days in a row. Small lifestyle changes could really enhance your health and wellbeing. You make a small change yourself for 21 days to improve your health and wellbeing, and then encourage someone you know to set their own challenge. Your small change could encourage others to make transformational changes to the way they live.
The cancer prevention recommendations drawn up by the World Cancer Research Fund are relevant to everyone, including people who have received a cancer diagnosis: be a healthy weight, move more, avoid high-calorie foods, limit alcoholic drinks. The New Economics Foundation research informed the development of its five ways to wellbeing: be active, connect, take notice, learn, give. These recommendations lie at the heart of the Love Hope Strength 21 Day Challenge.
You decide when to take on a 21 Day Challenge. You can take it on whenever you want, though you might want to choose to start it on the first day of the month for ease, alongside others who also want to develop a good habit.
All you need to do to take part in the 21 Day Challenge is:
- Decide what you want to do: abstain from drinking alcohol or eating deserts, take up a new exercise regime, send a letter to a different loved one every day, visit a new place in your neighbourhood every day, do a crossword or sudoku, or donate to help others every day.
- Register to do the 21 Day Challenge below.
- Start your challenge.
At the end of your 21 Day Challenge, you’ll be expected to send the LHS crew a summary of your 21 Day experience, and in return you will receive Love Hope Strength merchandise. You don’t have to donate or raise money to take part in the 21 Day Challenge. The main aim is to help share important health and wellbeing messages. If can you donate, all’s the better – change your life to help someone else’s!
If you would like to register someone you know who has been affected by cancer for a Treat Retreat, or if you would like to take on a 21 Day Challenge, contact the LHS crew here:
*By submitting this information, you are giving permission for LHS to hold your details on a secure volunteer database whilst you give us permission to do so. In line with the LHS Privacy Policy, your details will not be shared with third parties. LHS stores and uses personal information in accordance with EU General Data Protection Regulation.