Planning permission for the centre was granted at a meeting on the evening of Tuesday, 16th June.  There are around 4,000 new diagnoses of cancers in the region each year, with those people and their friends and families deserving access to the emotional and practical support that only a Maggie’s Centre can offer. 

Maggie’s Oxford currently have an interim facility, offering a range of services, such as benefits advice, relaxation sessions, tai chi and creative art therapy. A permanent centre will be able to expand upon this and bring many more benefits to the region.  Furthermore, the centre is designed by leading architect Chris Wilkinson of Wilkinson Eyre Architects, bringing a striking new building to the city of Oxford.

Liz Minton, Maggie's Oxford Centre Head said:  “This is really exciting news.  This is a great step forward for Maggie’s Oxford and for the thousands of people in the region affected by cancer.  We have proven through the work of our interim facility that Maggie’s has a vitally positive role to play in people’s experience of cancer. The permanent centre will allow us to open our doors to many more people, expand upon the services we offer, and will also be able to provide our programme of support within an inspiring and uplifting building.  The design by Wilkinson Eyre Architects is truly wonderful.  It is now a case of continuing with our successful fundraising drive to reach the target of £3million.  With such great backing from the local community, we are sure we can reach this target in the future.”

Maggie’s Oxford is part of Maggie’s Joy of Living Fundraising Campaign to raise £15million to build five centres across England and Wales.  The £3million target for Maggie’s Oxford will fund the building costs and first two year’s running costs of the centre. 

Maggie’s Centres greatly value the power of environment and design to lift the spirits and subsequently their centres attract the world’s leading architects.  Architects of Maggie’s Centres are asked to produce practical spaces in which people feel safe and welcome but also have their imagination and their curiosity kindled.  

Chris Wilkinson of Wilkinson Eyre Architects has followed Maggie’s brief to develop a stunning and practical design, which Maggie’s are very excited to take forward.

Chris Wilkinson said: "We are thrilled that the centre has now received planning permission. Our design encapsulates the philosophy and principles on which the Maggie’s Centres are based - the tree house concept maximises the relationship between the internal space and the external landscape offering discreet spaces for relaxation, information and therapy, it will provide a sympathetic and caring retreat, in tune with its surroundings."

The Patron of the Maggie’s Oxford Campaign, the Duke of Marlborough, said: “Oxford is a city of beautiful and inspiring buildings and one day we will have Maggie's Oxford sitting amongst them.  The wonderful building will provide the ideal space for professional staff to help people to build a life beyond cancer.”

Chairman of the Campaign Board, George Robinson, said: “The interim service has been fantastic but we need a building that will reflect what Maggie's brings to those with cancer.  Hope, help and most of all strength to live their lives with joy and not fear.  A beautiful and uplifting building which will bring solace and peace to everyone who needs it in Oxford.”

…ENDS…

NOTES TO EDITOR

•    Maggie’s Centres are the vision of Maggie Keswick Jencks when she herself was being treated for cancer.  She recognised the need for people to have access to emotional and practical support to complement treatment
•    Maggie’s Oxford is supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery who are a charity lottery.  They have raised over £2million for charities in England so far and have recently added Maggie’s Centres as their latest charity partner in England, with Maggie’s locations in England, including Oxford directly benefiting from this relationship
•    The target of £3million will cover building costs, plus the first two year’s running costs
•    Maggie’s Centres are designed by world leading architects, with Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry just two of the architects to design centres