IT gives a whole new meaning to soothing the sole and for Freddie Miller it’s one of the few opportunities she gets to put her feet up.

For 55-year-old Freddie is a full-time carer who looks after her elderly mother at their home in Dorset.

“It is a full-time job. I’m with her 24/7. I cook for her, bath her, take her shopping but I’m happy to do it. I wouldn’t want anyone else to look after her,” explains Freddie.

“But there is no support for carers, which is why it is so nice to be pampered occasionally – it’s just a little bit of luxury and I always look forward to it.”

Freddie is one of a growing number of carers to benefit from a new local charity called Harlequin Care.

It was set up at the end of last year by therapist Maggie Quinn from West Lulworth to support carers across the region.

“We run relaxation clinics where carers can enjoy free taster treatments including reflexology, mini facials and aromatherapy massage,” says Maggie.

“It can be for carers of any age to help them relax and recharge their batteries.

“It’s also a chance for them to have some time out with people in the same situation.”

Maggie specialises in reflexology, which as anyone who has experienced it will know, is more than just a relaxing foot massage.

Reflexology is a traditional healing art dating from the ancient Egyptians and Chinese which involves manipulation of pressure points in the feet.

It is often used to ease headaches, sinus and back problems and more recently, it’s claimed it can even help with infertility.

Practitioners claim the soles of the feet are like a mini map of the inside of the body and are linked to our inner organs and systems.

By massaging different points of the feet, therapists claim they can unblock energy pathways in the body and so help the body to regain its natural balance and heal itself.

“We aim to support people in a holistic way to help them cope with stress because stress can make you ill,” adds Maggie.

“Many carers don’t even think they should be pampered because they see it as their role in life.

“But it is important to ease stress because stress can make you ill so it is important to help carers realise they need to be looked after themselves sometimes too.”

If you would like to have a taster of reflexology and would like to support Harlequin Care at the same time, then visit the new Natural Spring Health Spa at the Springfield Country Hotel near Wareham on Saturday.

There will be £10 taster treatments and half the money will go to the charity plus a raffle and goody bags. For more information visit or contact the spa on 01929 552177.

  • The next Relaxation Clinic for local carers is on June 8 at Lulworth Cove Inn.