Supporting good health and wellbeing
ABOUT US
WHAT WE DO
At Munro Health, we provide complementary health care to support the health and wellbeing of those who otherwise have no access to such services.
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Complementary therapies - such as acupuncture, shiatsu, craniosacral therapy, reflexology, massage, aromatherapy – are widely known as contributing to the wellbeing of both mind and body.
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The Munro Health team of therapists are passionate about enabling people to understand their own health and better ways of caring for themselves. At a time of much innovation in health, we are committed to being flexible and responsive to the changing needs of communities, and to supporting disadvantaged clients, carers, the elderly and those living with long term health conditions.
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Our organisation is set up to both run and contribute to projects, on site. Funders and care providers with whom we work are familiar with our dedication and commitment to the ethos and legacy of our illustrious founder, Lucille Munro.
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For more than 20 years our complementary health therapies have been enriching lives, and providing affordable support.
HISTORY OF MUNRO
Back in the early 1990’s, Lucille was working in the valuable field of complementary health treatments, and saw how effective these therapies could be in caring for and supporting people who would not normally be able to access or afford such help.
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It was in deprived parts of the Borough of Westminster where Lucille Munro first deployed her team of enthusiastic therapists, offering such skills as counselling, massage, reflexology and acupuncture. Over the years, the range of complementary treatments provided by highly skilled Munro practitioners has expanded, as has the areas of London in which we work. Predominantly our team now brings complementary therapy to disadvantaged clients across the Boroughs of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Brent, Hammersmith & Fulham, Southwark and Camden.
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Back in those early days, Lucille Munro used space in her own house to provide treatment facilities, where there was a constant flow of needy people who paid just a few pounds to dedicated therapists, infused and enthused with and by the dynamic approach of Munro’s founder. Soon it became clear to all that Lucille Munro’s business model had outgrown her front room, and the Munro Centre for Complementary Health Care was founded in 1996.
The next six years were full of activity, and the gratitude of the many clients whose lives were enhanced by Munro therapists, so it came as no surprise when Lucille was awarded the MBE in 2003 for her services to community health. Even though she herself was now in her late 80’s her energy, belief and commitment never flagged, so that her name and influence continues to resound, even after her death in 2008.
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Munro Health has charitable status, and rigorous management practices, which reassures funders of the efficiency and probity of the organisation. The Board of Trustees guards and promotes the ethos established over 20 years ago, and office staff take care of the day to day business of the charity.
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The success of Munro Health today is entirely due to the inspiration of Lucille Munro, whose brainchild we are.
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Now, the flame lit in those early trail blazing years by Lucille Munro burns as brightly as ever, and her legacy lives on in the work of dedicated professional complementary health therapists.
Lucille receiving her MBE from (Prince) King Charles
BOARD
Michele Little
Chair and Treasurer
Michele Little joined the trustee team as Treasurer in March 2019 and became Chair in May 2019. She has an Economics degree from Cambridge, is a chartered accountant and has for many years helped local businesses in West London with their accounts and tax returns. She has also taken on voluntary roles for local charities and community organisations. Apart from being kept busy by the demands of two teenage sons (mainly washing their clothes and feeding them), she also enjoys watching football and solving puzzles. She strongly believes in giving back to the community and also in the benefits of complementary therapies.
Aisha Khan
Trustee
I have worked with British Heart Foundation for the past 15 years on various projects, including setting up community care for patients to provide ongoing medical support. I also have a number of transferrable skills from my professional experience, where I have successfully lead cross jurisdictional projects for process improvements and most recently had experience working with charities in the fundraising sector with my time at LaunchGood.
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Seamus Connolly
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
Much of my working life has been spent in financial management - in publishing, and latterly in social enterprises and the charity sector.
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Born and educated in Munro’s heartland of West London, it was a pleasure to come back and support a worthwhile and local charity in 2014.
In my time here I’ve seen a distinct change and growth in the scope and ambition of Munro Health.
We are insistent that we apply the most stringent and exacting financial controls in how we spend our funds – because we are aware that the money we receive is entrusted to us to deliver the best services we can.
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The fact that we genuinely deliver our mission statement – “to relieve sickness and to support good health and wellbeing” - gives me a genuine sense of achievement.
Nazan Garcia
Trustee
Nazan is an experienced, highly qualified and committed practitioner of Acupuncture. Nazan believes that acupuncture should be available and affordable to as many people as possible, and he recognises that – through Munro Health – this can be made possible.
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When Nazan joined us on the board of Trustees, we knew that with his skills as a complementary therapist combined with his dedication to Munro and the wellbeing of our clients he would be invaluable to the team.
More info: www.virtue-acupuncture.com
Herve Bessieres
Trustee
Hervé is a health professional with a background in complementary therapies and experience in working for the charity sector and public health. Hervé is passionate about health equity, community health and wellbeing and works full time as a Health Manager in the charity sector.
Keen runner and yoga practitioner, Hervé enjoys travelling, outdoor pursuits especially scuba diving.
A registered Nutritional Therapist, Hervé runs a small nutritional clinic in London combining the various health approaches to offer a holistic service to his clients. More info: www.balance4health.co.uk
One of Hervé's favorite quotes is: " There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live." -Dalai Lama-
The board meets online every two months
THERAPISTS AND VOLUNTEERS
NAZAN GARCIA
ACUPUNCTURE
Nazan is an experienced, highly qualified, committed practitioner of this branch of classical Chinese medicine. Treatment is directed very much with the individual patient in mind, and tailored to suit his or her needs. Understanding the cause of the illness or issue, and treating the root of the problem is key, rather than just treating the symptoms in isolation.
Nazan believes that acupuncture should be available and affordable to as many people as possible, and he recognises that – through Munro Health – this can be made possible.
JEREMY SNELL
REFLEXOLOGY
Like all our therapists, Jerry has a thriving reflexology practice outside his work with the Munro. His training also includes the art of Indian head massage, orthopaedic reflexology and facial reflexology. Not content with working to help clients across London, he is also secretary of the West London Branch of the Association of Reflexologists.
“I am passionate about reflexology, and truly believe in its beneficial effects. It also seems to be excellent for reducing stress and relieving tension."
AYUMI ABRANTES
MASSAGE/AROMATHERAPY
It was during a holiday in Sri Lanka, back in 2000, that Ayumi found the benefits of massage with essential oils, derived from plant extracts. Once her interest was aroused she wasted no time in studying and gaining qualifications in this valuable skill. An accomplished practitioner of Indian head massage too, Ayumi has observed the power of aromatherapy.
“The deep relaxation you can find through this therapy is really special. Plant oils nourish the skin too, and Munro clients really feel the difference after treatment.”
ARUNA KHATRI
SHIATSU
Shiatsu is an ancient form of bodywork from Japan. The therapist uses her thumbs, elbows, knees or feet, depending on what is required. Its roots lie in traditional Chinese medicine. At Munro Health, we recognise the power of human touch, bringing harmony to the flow of our different energies. Aruna is an experienced and highly qualified practitioner of this ancient skill, and our clients are enthusiastically grateful for the opportunity she brings to promote wellbeing in both body and mind.
Aruna says: “I know my clients benefit from their treatment. It’s written in their faces at the end of a session. It gives me great joy to be working with people who may not be able to afford such treatments without the support of Munro Health.”
TABITHA ROBERTSON
MASSAGE/AROMATHERAPY
Tabitha has been massaging for 17 years, and we are very glad that she is part of our team. We know from experience that our clients relish the caring and comfort that accompanies massage, and using essential oils to pamper and nourish the skin simply enhances their experience.
As Tabitha says: “I believe that we all need the power of holistic healing touch in our lives, and I am passionate about helping people feel good about their mind, body and spirit.”
PAULA KENT
SHIATSU
Paula has been working as a Shiatsu Practitioner since 1992 when she qualified with the Shiatsu Society. Her ethos has always been to provide treatment to the most disadvantaged, with special interest in supporting clients with mental health issues, and specifically addressing many of the common problems associated with ageing.
She spent 15 years working in an NHS mental health unit, and currently combines her work with Munro Health with a weekly low cost clinic for the over 60’s where she has gained experience in treating general loss of mobility and recovery from injury and surgery.
Paula says: “Shiatsu treatment can be transformative on both a mental and physical level, and my passion will always be to listen, share my knowledge, and to support those most in need