When you’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness, it’s easy to see your stress levels soar.

Trying to relax when there’s so much to worry about can seem impossible.

However, new therapy and exercise classes are helping boost the physical and psychological strength of people who are terminally ill.

Lions House, the ellenor hospice in Coldharbour Road, Northfleet, started new relaxation classes this week.

Staff at the centre care for up to 10 inpatients and also run day therapy sessions for people to get together for a chat, have a drink – including some of the hard stuff – and take part in classes such as art, gardening, cookery and DIY.

Some of them prove particularly popular with the partners of those who are ill, as they come to terms with facing a very different life too.

The relaxation classes started on Monday and are aimed at giving people methods to use at home.

As well as those registered with ellenor, the classes are also open to others who have health problems or are caring for someone with a health problem.

The drop-in sessions last an hour. They focus on breathing control, physical relaxation, music, talking and listening, and some aromatherapy.

What used to be a patient room has been converted into a gym and wellness area.

Jenny Sherburn, specialist Macmillan physiotherapist, runs gentle exercise classes at the hospice. She said: “Part of the problem with exercise is people are frightened but this is a safe environment, and gently testing what people can do here makes them more confident about doing things at home.

“We’ve managed to get people who are in a ‘high risk of falling’ category into the low risk group.

“But it’s all still very new. We do things like seated badminton, stretches and weights and use the Wii balance board.

“But it’s also a good opportunity for people to get together. There are always discussions on places people have found for walks, where there are lots of benches if you get tired, things like that.”

The centre also runs complementary therapies solely for their own patients and carers.

They include aromatherapy, gentle touch massage, reflexology and reiki; and are all run by skilled volunteers, who donate their time for free.

Patients get six free sessions, carers get three.

Jenny added: “It’s quite amazing what people will give to help us and the people here.

“Classes allow them to establish what they like, what helps and what’s safe for them so they can find somewhere to go for treatment close to home.”

n Relaxation classes run between 11am and noon on Mondays. Exercise classes run Tuesday and Thursdays from 11am to noon, with a drop-in session for advice on Mondays from 10.45am to noon. Contact the hospice on 01474 320007.