Rachel Fleming

My thesis project draws inspiration from my mother and her never-ending bravery and optimism in the face of cancer. Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer when my sister and I were in our early teens and that initial diagnosis has shaped our lives as we’ve grown into adults. Cancer touches so many lives across the world, and a cancer diagnosis affects not only the patient but the people around them.

Situated on the banks of the Tay over two sites - the East and West Tayport lighthouses, I propose two concepts focusing on the journey from this initial diagnosis through cancer. Firstly I am aiming to provide a space that facilitates the building of support systems and allows transparent access to care, support and learning opportunities for patients and families of patients with the aim to build a community that understands and can provide support for each other during these difficult times. Secondly, a short stay retreat that provides easily accessible medically approved complementary care to go alongside conventional cancer treatments. There are a plethora of complementary treatments available that help support the body through chemotherapy and radiotherapy, encourage cell regrowth and boost the immune system but no centre that provides access to a range of there treatments in the one location.