Farnham Woman Launches Brave Crab Skincare and Wellness Festival

Farnham resident Vicky Carroll has embarked on a new career path by launching Brave Crab, a skincare line designed specifically for individuals experiencing skin issues related to cancer treatment. In conjunction with this launch, she will host the inaugural Brave Crab & Friends Wisdom & Wellness Festival at the Easthampstead Park Hotel in Wokingham on March 8, 2024. The festival aims to address both the physical and emotional challenges faced by cancer patients, offering valuable resources and support.

Carroll, a former psychotherapist, decided to retrain in complementary therapies during the lockdown period. She noted, “I was approaching 50, it was lockdown and I felt I needed to do something different.” Her journey revealed a gap in the market for skincare solutions tailored to those whose skin has been impacted by cancer treatments. She explained, “There is also a longing among people who are undergoing treatment – with all the toxins in their bodies – for something natural and non-toxic for their skin.”

Festival Focuses on Support and Empowerment

The festival will feature expert talks on key topics such as sleep, fatigue, sexual health, nutrition, exercise, pain management, and lymphoedema management. In addition to these discussions, attendees can participate in wellness sessions, hear survivor stories, and explore a marketplace with 15 exhibitors offering cancer-related products and services, including skincare, wigs, and adaptive clothing.

Vicky expressed her vision for the festival: “I wanted to create a space that truly understands the realities of living with cancer — a place to feel supported, informed, and uplifted.” The event emphasizes wisdom, wellness, and empowerment, encouraging attendees to discover what best supports them on their individual journeys.

Among the notable speakers are Helen Addis MBE, an ITV producer and cancer campaigner; Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel, founder of Synthesis Clinic; and journalist and author Rosamund Dean. All speakers and therapists have generously waived or reduced their fees, ensuring that proceeds from the festival benefit three cancer charities: Move Against Cancer, Penny Brohn UK, and NCIO (National Cancer Integrative Oncology). Carroll emphasized the importance of these organizations, stating, “Charities are so amazing; they don’t fill a gap they actually sustain a whole system.”

Flexible Ticketing and Community Engagement

The festival offers flexible ticketing options designed to accommodate attendees’ needs. A full refund guarantee will be available for anyone who needs to withdraw due to health reasons. Participants can choose between morning and afternoon attendance and select two or three wellness sessions that align with their energy levels. Ticket prices are set at £60 for two sessions and £80 for three.

The name “Brave Crab” is rooted in both symbolism and history. The astrological sign for cancer is represented by a crab, while the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates used the term “carcinos,” meaning crab, to describe various types of cancer due to their resemblance to the shape of a crab when cut. Carroll added, “There’s also the symbolism of a crab being hard on the outside and soft inside.”

All products from the Brave Crab line are certified by COSMOS, ensuring they are either organic or natural. For more information about the festival and the skincare range, visit bravecrab.co.uk.