Cancer Support UK is partnering with The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation. Left to Right: Penelope Saunders DCCF, Richenda Oldham Cancer Support UK, Jazmine White DCCF
Stress and poor mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing cancer patients post treatment. This Stress Awareness Month (1-30 April 2023), National cancer charity Cancer Support UK has announced its ongoing partnership with The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF) to increase awareness of the financial and emotional support available to cancer patients in Dorset.
Cancer Support UK offers an innovative range of free emotional and practical support services to people living with and beyond cancer, as well cancer support training for businesses.
DCCF was founded by three local nurses in 2012 to help Dorset families struggling financially because of a cancer diagnosis.
Through fundraising and events the charity has since donated over £646k to help cancer patients pay for specialist equipment, travel to and from hospital, childcare during treatment and everyday living costs.
As part of this collaboration, Cancer Support UK is providing training to DCCF staff and volunteers, including an introduction to its Cancer Coach peer support group programme. This pioneering service, developed by cancer patients, is available free to individuals who have completed their cancer treatment.
DCCF staff and volunteers are also being trained as Workplace Cancer Support Ambassadors. This is a new workshop developed to give individuals within organisations the tools, strategies and knowledge with which to provide emotional support to colleagues affected by cancer.
Cancer Support UK is committed to providing 10,000 Cancer Coach places nationwide within the next three years. This will ensure that the 78% who say they need more emotional support post treatment receive the help they need to move forwards with their lives.
Cancer Support UK also aims to train 10,000 Workplace Cancer Support Ambassadors, to provide further emotional support to an estimated one million people impacted by cancer.
DCCF Charity Administrator Penelope Saunders said: “As someone who has both survived cancer and now talks each day to Dorset people who are struggling under a cancer diagnosis, I can see the huge benefits of Cancer Support UK’s programmes.
“The people who come to us for help are often under almost unbearable financial and emotional pressure. Some are undergoing treatment, some have recently finished. And many feel lost and unsure of where to turn next for support and guidance.
“Having helped them through their DCCF grant application, I will be able to use my Cancer Support UK training to signpost them to the wide range of other help available to them. And my Cancer Support Ambassador training will also help me to support my charity colleagues and fundraisers who are experiencing cancer too.”
Mark Guymer, Chief Executive, Cancer Support UK said:
“We believe that no one impacted by cancer should suffer needlessly. So I would like to express my gratitude to The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation, for partnering with us on our journey to achieve our Cancer Coach and Workplace Cancer Support Ambassador commitments.
“When treatment finishes, cancer patients are faced with processing a multitude of powerful emotions, ranging from guilt at putting their loved ones through so much, to grief at the loss of their old selves. At least 92% of our Cancer Coach participants mention their fear of cancer recurrence and the ongoing challenges of managing this fear. This is why our Cancer Coach service is vital in giving them the space and tools to understand and manage their emotions, and move forwards with their lives.
“By 2030, there will be around one million people of working age living with cancer in the UK. 85% of people with cancer who were employed when diagnosed, say it was important for them to continue work after diagnosis. It is clear that there is a huge need for every organisation to do more to help the increasing numbers of people affected by cancer who want to remain or return to the workplace. We are here to help meet that need.”
Jazmine White, the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation’s Charity Manager, said: “We are extremely pleased to partner with Cancer Support UK.
“We ease the burden of Dorset families every day through our financial support.
“Being able to also direct those people to the emotional support offered by Cancer Support UK only strengthens the way we can help people when they need it most.”
For more information about Cancer Support UK’s services, visit: www.cancersupportuk.org
For more information about The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation, visit: https://www.dccf.co.uk/
