A WOMAN who has brought an Essence of Calm to dozens of cancer sufferers and families is the worthy recipient of our Trader of the Week title.

Morwenna Walker runs a business providing holistic therapies to children and adults, and to people living with cancer or a chronic illness.

First established in 2015, with a pause while Morwenna started her family, she reopened Essence of Calm, based in North Road, in March 2018, and has never looked back.

She said: “Getting feedback from parents about how their child has become more confident, happier and started to feel more settled, especially if they have suffered with anxiety, well it just makes my heart sing and the reason I love my work. It is such a privilege to get to see my young clients coming out of their shells and enjoying their sessions.”

Morwenna established the business after early work at a therapy centre inspired her to become a therapist. She said: “I heard the therapists talk about how much they loved their job. Giving a treatment to make someone feel relaxed, calmer and happy, sounded a wonderful thing to do.”

Her first course was in Swedish massage at Darlington College and from there she went on to create Essence of Calm and begin her journey to become a holistic therapist.

The Northern Echo:

Inside Essence of Calm in North Road, Darlington

Since then she has gone on to expand her skills set to include a variety of massage, Reiki, child mindfulness, Hopi ear candling and adaptation of therapies for those living with cancer.

That move towards therapy for people with cancer and chronic illnesses started after the death of Morwenna’s father in 2001 from cancer. She said: “After witnessing first-hand how the effects of cancer and treatment can affect a person not only physically but emotionally, last year I decided to train in adapting my therapies for people living with cancer.

“This has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for me. Bringing back memories of my dad in his last days, and how I wish he could see me now. But being able to provide some comfort to anyone in need of a gentle touch and helping to make them feel like normal, if only for a short time – that is what is important to me, making sure every client I see feels safe to just let go, relax and feel like they can fly.”

Morwenna has been supported in her business by both family and her clients and it was her husband who encouraged her to go from having a room in someone else’s salon, to opening a place of her own. She said: “He has pushed me to achieve my dreams, even when some days I thought it would never happen.”

And of her most memorable moments, Morwenna said: “Most memorable over the last few years must be the initial response to the children’s therapies, they were so well received it blew me away.

“Coronavirus lockdown has been a challenge too but my customers’ continued supported really does mean so much and without them I would not have a business.So a big ‘thank you’ .

“Their reviews and recommendations make me so proud, grateful, and sometimes give me tears of happiness. It is truly wonderful to hear how me and my team have made them feel.”

Plans for the future include making Essence of Calm a key centre that the community look to. Morwenna said: “Along with my therapist’s Victoria and Lindsey, I plan to expand and grow the business to reach more people in need of our help. Providing services that are beneficial to all ages.

“Five years from now I hope that Essence of Calm is the leading holistic therapy service in the North-East.”

The Northern Echo understands many firms are currently operating under challenging circumstances, but we hope to use Trader of the Week to support local businesses. To see your business featured on our pages and on our website, please email jo.kelly@newsquest.co.uk