Berwick Cancer Cars expands hands-on support for patients and families
A Berwick charity has expanded its range of services to support those affected by cancer in the local community.
Berwick and District Cancer Group, commonly known as Berwick Cancer Cars, help people with the disease get to their medical appointments by providing free transport.
The charity recently received some money to renovate their premises on Tweed Street meaning they can provide more services to patients and their families.
Now, they are expanding to offer restorative yoga, meditation sessions and one-to-one talking therapy sessions for both patients and their families.
Chair, Ann Short has volunteered with the charity for eight years and described how they provide vital services to those living with cancer in the area.
She said: “There is hardly a family in the area that won't have been touched by cancer at some time.
"We know that some people in rural areas wouldn't take up their treatment options if we weren't taking them. If you have got to go for radiotherapy 25 times and there is no public transport, how will you afford to get there? So we feel we provide vital support.”
Around three years ago, volunteers launched the ‘Butterfly Touch’ campaign to provide more hands-on support for those who may be going through, or recently finished, treatment, and their families.
They do this by providing complementary therapies including reflexology, aromatherapy and oncology massage.
Ann added: “We decided that, because there is really no provision for people to have support in North Northumberland who have cancer or are undergoing treatment, that we would try and branch out.”
“It is quite difficult because you go to the hospital and get your treatment and then off you go so it can be quite isolating.
"Not everyone can afford these services but people who come each month are finding they get an accumulative benefit from it.
"We are really keen to make sure everyone knows about it who is eligible in our area.”
The charity also hold monthly coffee mornings with Macmillan Cancer Support who can provide guidance to those who need it.
More information on the services offered by the charity, go to https://berwickcancersupport.co.uk/