Walking with friends and family is important to Charlotte
We’ve got just under two weeks left of our Step into Spring challenge. The lovely weather we’ve had recently certainly helps me to feel inspired.
I am a hiker at heart so, wind, rain or snow, I’m not easily put off being outdoors (which is a good job with our usual climate!) But I can’t deny that a bit of sunshine certainly makes a welcome change.
Family matters
This past weekend was my favourite of the challenge so far as I was able to meet up with some of my family and enjoy a day walking, talking and laughing in the sunshine.
As I spent the day with everyone, it prompted me to reflect on how grateful I am to have this support network around me. Even though life and work have taken us further apart in miles, we have remained close and I always feel incredibly lucky to have these relationships.
For some people, their support network can be their family, while for others friendships are the core of community. Old friends, new friends, family, colleagues, next door neighbours, groups we join – the connections we build around us are what help us to be resilient in the face of challenges and to share our joys.
The importance of a support network
At Cancer Support UK, we know that having a strong support network is one of the most beneficial things for emotional wellbeing and recovery. However, we also know that many of our service users feel isolated and lonely when they approach us for support.
Our 2024 polls showed that 76% of our Cancer Coach participants felt an increased sense of loneliness and isolation since completion of their cancer treatment.
This statistic reflects that even in cases where friends, family and colleagues are supportive it can be difficult for them to truly understand the experience and recognise the ongoing challenges.
Beyond this, sadly we often hear stories of one or two people within a person’s existing support network who withdraw altogether after their cancer diagnosis. Often this can be down to the ongoing stigma around discussing cancer and fears about what to say.
Tackling stigma
This stigma is something we are trying to tackle in the workplace with our training sessions.
Whatever the strength of a person’s existing support network, the feeling of isolation during and after treatment is common. This is why we believe so strongly in the power of peer support through groups such as Cancer Coach. Although each person is unique, being able to speak to others who have shared experience is invaluable in feeling connected and supported. This is why our 2024 polls also showed that-
84% of our Cancer Coach participants felt a reduction in loneliness and isolation since starting a Cancer Coach group. Join a Cancer Coach group.
Over the remaining weeks of the Step into Spring challenge I will to continue to invite people from my own support network to walk with me, to support our goal of ensuring no one living with and beyond cancer feels alone.
