Hospice partnership marks official launch of new wellness hub

Hotpod Yoga Derby has marked the official opening of its new base by announcing a partnership with end-of-life charity Treetops Hospice.

Last weekend, yoga entrepreneur Leah McLaren staged a special community launch weekend to celebrate its new home at The Cube, at Park Farm, in Allestree.

The celebrations included free Hotpod Yoga classes, mini massages, wellness experiences, giveaways and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

It also gave visitors a chance to explore the new wellbeing destination, which brings together a range of health, fitness and care providers under one roof.

The opening weekend carried particular significance for Leah as 7 June marked the birthday of her father, Ian McLaren, who sadly passed away in 2020.

Ian was a huge advocate for the business and helped Leah set it up back in 2017.

Leah said: “Opening the doors to The Cube felt like such a huge moment for us.

“We’ve spent years building this incredible community and now we finally have a space that truly reflects everything Hotpod Yoga stands for: making people feel amazing!

“We wanted the launch weekend to feel really special and to create something that brings people together – whether they’re existing members or trying Hotpod Yoga for the very first time.

“The timing of the opening was also incredibly emotional for me personally because it fell on my dad’s birthday.

“He passed away in 2020, and he was one of my biggest supporters from the very beginning, when I was literally driving around Derby with the pod in the boot of my car.

“To officially open this space on his birthday was really beautiful.”

The weekend also saw the announcement of a new partnership between Hotpod Yoga Derby and Treetops Hospice, with the business pledging to support future fundraising events and help raise awareness of the charity’s work across Derbyshire.

Leah said: “Partnering with Treetops Hospice for our opening weekend made it even more special.

“When my dad was ill, neither he nor our family knew there was such an incredible charity on our doorstep offering one-to-one support and guidance to people facing the most difficult times in their lives. Treetops could have been such a huge help to us all.

“If sharing our story helps raise awareness of the amazing work Treetops does and means more people know where to turn when they need support, then I am completely behind that.

“The care they provide to individuals and families is extraordinary, and we’re proud to support them as part of this milestone weekend.”

Natalie Godrich, relationship manager at Treetops Hospice, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Hot Pod Yoga.

“Their generosity in offering free sessions to our challenge supporters, and encouraging their own members to get involved, is a brilliant reminder that you don’t have to give financially to make a huge difference.

“Every type of support matters – whether it’s time, skills, visibility or simply helping us share our message.

“Thanks to Leah and her team championing our work, we’re able to reach even more families in our community who need us.”