MEN living with life-threatening conditions such as cancer are being invited to a special group helping them to relax and meet others in the same situation.

The Men's Space group meets every Thursday in the peaceful gardens of St Richard's Hospice in Wildwood Drive, Worcester and is run by the organisation along with Prostate Cancer UK.

Members are given the opportunity to maintain and care for the garden with the help of a therapeutic gardener as well as get advice and guidance from the hospice.

Leader of the hospice's community nursing team Vanessa Gibson said the group was ideal for men who felt they needed some time to relax during their treatment.

“Sometimes in the midst of hospital appointments, health concerns and treatments, men may feel they need some time out, some space," she said.

“The men can be as active or as inactive as they want.

"There are no forced activities or group discussions – it’s a chance for them to come and meet others a similar situation.

“If the men would rather sit and watch others garden we can supply tea, coffee and people to talk to. “

Community support services manager for Prostate Cancer UK Louise Jackson said living with an incurable disease could be extremely difficult to come to terms with.

"Gardening, being outside and sharing experiences with others who can relate to what you’re going through can be a tremendous comfort to many and we’re thrilled to be launching the new group with St Richard’s Hospice," she said. "We look forward to welcoming men keen to develop their gardening skills as well as those just looking to relax and enjoy a beautiful garden.”

St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care and support to more than 2,400 patients living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and their families every year.

Patients are cared for in the day hospice, the 17-bed in-patient unit staffed 24 hours a day or in their own homes by a specialist professional team as well as many trained volunteers.

Any man living in the south Worcestershire area with a confirmed life-threatening diagnosis is eligible to join the group through a referral from their GP to the hospice.

For more information call 01905 763 963 or email triage@strichards.org.uk.

To find out more about St Richard's Hospice - which is an independent charity - visit www.strichards.org.uk