The diagnosis of cancer is a shocking event in anyone's life, and this combined with treatment that can be invasive, intensive and challenging, places a huge burden on patients and their families. They often feel overwhelmed by huge amounts of frequently conflicting information, from healthcare providers, well meaning friends and family and the internet and other forms of media. The overwhelming need at this time is for accurate, reliable and evidence based information, in order to make wise treatment choices, to develop and maintain the best possible physical and mental state while undergoing treatment, to choose beneficial forms of support, and to live positively during treatment and beyond.

The Wallace Cancer Care aims to meet these needs by providing a Drop-in Centre in the main concourse of Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, staffed by oncology nurses and volunteers, and an extensive programme of practical, psychological and emotional support and information delivered in a peaceful, calm atmosphere at premises nearby. At the Wallace Cancer Care, patients and their carers benefit from guidance about diet, exercise, and stress reduction, and learn techniques and experience complementary therapies that can have a tremendously valuable impact on their quality of life.

The Wallace Cancer Care services are available free to all those affected by this disease including those with cancer, their families, close friends and carers. It is not necessary to be a patient at Addenbrooke’s to use the services.

There are two support groups run for patients and carers. These groups are run by Ella Pybus, a trustee of Brain Tumour UK , in Cambridge and Norwich.

The Fountain Centre is a charity based in the St Luke's Cancer Centre at Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford that supports people living with cancer. It is a warm and safe place where they and their loved ones can meet other people in their situation, explore therapies, develop strengths and grow an understanding of how to take control of their future.

The Richard Dimbleby Centre was set up in 1966 following the untimely death at 52, from cancer, of Richard Dimbleby, one of Britain’s finest ever broadcasters. Richard contracted cancer at a time when its mere mention was a taboo. His decision to go public did a huge amount to challenge and overcome that taboo. His death sparked a huge response and his widow, Dilys, asked that people should consider making a donation to help those living with cancer. The response was overwhelming and offered a chance to help many thousands living with the illness. Thus the charity was born. You can read more about the history here, or about our new strategy here.

GMAC aims to provide peer emotional support, information and guidance to gay men affected by cancer, whether you are or have been a patient, carer, loved one or friend.

You will have the opportunity to talk in confidence, and listen to others who may be going through a similar experience. Some of the issues that have already been mentioned are around one’s partner not being recognised as their carer or next of kin, or feeling uncomfortable in discussing one’s sexuality with a health professional, or living with more than one illness that has been experienced as life threatening.

London Friend is a charity that has been serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community since 1972.

London Friend promotes the social, emotional, physical and sexual health and well-being of lesbian, gay and bisexual people, including transgender people who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual and all those unsure of their sexuality.

They offer counselling and support services which set out to explore issues of same-sex relationships, sexual identity and promote personal growth and self-confidence. They also provide social groups, and a safe space as an alternative place to meet and socialise.

All their services are delivered by trained lesbian, gay and bisexual volunteers. The services they provide include:

Groups and Workshops

One-to-one Counselling

General LGBT

Bereavement

E-mail support service at E-Talk

Telephone Befriending Service

Support Group for Carers

Homophobic & Transphobic Crime Reporting

Free information on HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted infections

London Friend aims to offer equality of access and opportunity to all its service users, volunteers and employees. They work proactively to reflect the diversity of the London population they serve.

The Big C Family Cancer Information and Support Centre (Big C Centre) is a purpose built centre based within the grounds of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).It is designed to provide anybody affected by cancer with information and support – complementing the local hospital and community NHS services.

The Centre is staffed by a team of health professionals and volunteers, experienced and qualified in the needs of cancer patients, their families and friends.

The Centre provides a warm and friendly non-clinical environment in which to spend quality time, quietly alone or with others. A place where you can be yourself…a space to reflect or to plan and a place where you can have some time away from the hospital and all things clinical if needed.

No appointment or referral is necessary to visit the Centre – all are welcome to call in between the times of 9.30am – 4.30pm Monday – Friday (closed Bank Holidays). We are also open until 7:00pm on the first Wednesday of every month.

Friends of O.S.C.A.R is a National Charity, which supports children diagnosed with a brain or spinal tumour, together with their families.

Friends of O.S.C.A.R developed from a well established charity called O.S.C.A.R, which was founded in 1995 by a group of health care professionals in the Oxfordshire NHS trust, who found there was a specific need to support families with a child diagnosed with a brain or spinal tumour. Friends of O.S.C.A.R is a charity set up to support children with brain and spinal tumours and their families, throughout the country.

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Families with opportunities to meet others facing a similar diagnosis and in a similar situation.

 

 

Several social events each year, such as:

 

 

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A Christmas Pantomime.

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Adolescent Weekend.

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Family Fun Day.

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Parental support through group meetings and written information.

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Friends of O.S.C.A.R (Oxford) would also like to provide some financial help to others who would like to set up branches of Friends of O.S.C.A.R in other counties.

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Friends of O.S.C.A.R continues to support families who suffer a bereavement.

 

 

 

 

Each Macmillan group centre is very different, but you can expect a warm welcome from someone who has been in the group for some time, be introduced to other members, and have the opportunity to talk about yourself and your experience of cancer.

You're not obliged or expected to talk about anything that you don't wish to discuss, and for some it takes a few visits before feeling comfortable enough to talk about personal matters.

Some groups consist of a few people who meet regularly in someone's front room; others are much larger and may have premises or a drop-in centre. Most groups provide training for the members or volunteers in listening skills so they can give you their undivided, non-judgmental, caring attention.

As part of the meeting, there may be an activity, a meeting, social event or a talk from am invited guest. You may be able to access support services through the group, including complementary therapies, counselling or bereavement support.

Most groups are free, but some may charge for tea and biscuits or welcome donations for the complementary therapies or counselling they offer.

Most groups cover all types of cancer, and also welcome carers, family and friends of people with cancer. The groups may help them come to terms with what is happening, how best to help and how to take care of themselves as well.