New £500k service for people affected by cancer in the Highlands
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A NEW service providing advice, and emotional and practical support to people affected by cancer has been launched in the Highlands.
Macmillan Cancer Support has funded the £500,000 service, which is being delivered in partnership with NHS Highland.
Each year around 2000 people are diagnosed with cancer in the Highlands, and an estimated 12,600 have witnessed a decline in their quality of life.
Eight support workers are now in place across the Highlands and are available to connect with people affected by cancer, and their families.
Angeline Macleod, manager of the new service, said: “As a cancer nurse, I am very aware that cancer has a huge impact on many aspects of people’s lives, from money worries to mental health. Often people don’t know where to turn.
“This new service is here to make sure everyone in the Highlands with cancer has someone to call on for help, no matter what they need.
“This is especially important right now as many people with cancer will be isolated from friends and family.
Anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer and lives in the Highlands can call the team to talk through their concerns. This may range from how to get more active, managing fatigue, through to loneliness and relationship issues.
The team are also helping people struggling with anxiety resulting from the pandemic.
Macmillan consultant nurse Chrissie Lane said: “We know from working with people who have had cancer in the Highlands that there is a great need to provide support to people that goes beyond their clinical needs.
“The cancer support workers are excellent at working alongside people and their families, listening to their worries and helping them live life to the full.”
Keighly Perry, a cancer support worker covering Inverness, Nairn, Badnoch and Strathspey, said: “Spending time listening, to understand how I can support someone, is what I love about this job.
“One man said he had been worrying for eight weeks and within one hour of talking things through, a weight has lifted off his shoulders.”
Jean Sargeant, Macmillan partnership manager for the north of Scotland, said these services were needed now more than ever.
“We want to make sure no-one faces cancer alone.
“Funding services like these is a vital part of making a positive impact on the lives of people living with cancer,” she added.
The cancer support workers have an open referral system, including self-referral.
To get support from the new project, call Angeline Macleod on 07866 146496.
