Odyssey Project seeks caring sponsors to join them on their journey in enhancing the quality of the lives of people with cancer

Odyssey is an organisation which enhances the quality of life for people with cancer through programmes of adventure, based mainly in the outdoors.

Using the stimulation of uncertainty and surprise, Odyssey takes participants on a five day journey aimed at combating the psychological and emotional devastation caused by their illness.

By supporting people to overcome appropriate challenges (some physical, others creative or artistic), Odyssey helps people rebuild their confidence and regain their zest for life.

Odyssey was founded in 1994 by consultant oncologist Dr. Howard Smedley, who saw a gap in the provision of support at the point where people are leaving treatment. Since then Odyssey has consistently tried to run a minimum of three courses a year in Kent and, more recently, to run courses in Wales, the West Midlands and Scotland.

With skills and knowledge acquired over seventeen years, Odyssey believes its body of experience to be unrivalled.

The increasing success of cancer treatments has meant that many people are surviving cancer and returning to normal life, often after a prolonged interlude of treatment. Others are terminally ill, but not physically incapacitated; and a third group comprises those who have to live through a long period of uncertainty before knowing the outcome.

A fundamental need for all three groups is to maximise the quality of their lives. Many forms of support are offered through treatment centres, but typically they are introspective in approach. Odyssey is about active engagement and frequently provides the stimulus and confidence that people need to re-engage with life.

For example, it's not uncommon, following an Odyssey course, for people to return to work after a long period away or to take up a new pastime. For others it helps them find positivity, enjoyment and peace during the closing part of their lives.

Contact: Hugo Iffla 

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