Viva Lewes Issue #148 January 2019

MY SPACE
friends. It was a busy, somewhat
stressful time, but we
all mucked in and somehow,
magically, did it. We opened
our doors on 20th March
2018, and we love being here.
The number of therapists
working in the clinic has
almost doubled since then.
Broadly, physical therapies
take place downstairs, while
talking therapies and events
happen upstairs. There are
eight treatment rooms altogether,
plus the Events Room,
where regular activities – such
as yoga, meditation, QiGong,
and U3A courses – take place.
There’s also an over-60s’ wellbeing
group every Monday,
which is wonderfully popular.
Therapies currently available
include psychotherapy,
reflexology, hypnotherapy,
acupuncture, craniosacral
therapy and several different
types of massage. (Throughout
January, we’re offering 20
per cent off most treatments.)
I never intended to run my
own clinic, but I fell in love
with the building. I was motivated
by wanting to rescue it, as
much as by setting up a clinic. I
don’t think I’d have gone to all
the effort and stress if it hadn’t
been for the building – it won
my heart, and made me believe
it was worth the commitment.
That’s the difference the right
space can make!
When I chose the name,
I wanted something that
sounded inclusive and
welcoming, and The Open
Door seemed to do it. But
it’s the people who work here
and come to visit that bring
the building back to life: I’ve
been thrilled and amazed at
how everyone loves the feel of
it. It’s a really special place to
spend time, and to share with
the broader community.
As told to Anita Hall
theopendoorlewes.com
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