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Nobody has to face cancer alone. Macmillan Cancer Support’s Debbie Price talks about what support is available to people in Sheffield.
Debbie Price and her colleague Lynne Sen see hundreds of cancer patients every year. Many of the people they speak to feel alone.
Debbie and Lynne work in a Macmillan service which specialises in helping older people in Sheffield living with cancer.
“It’s easier just to say ‘I’m fine’”
Debbie explains: “There are all sorts of ways in which someone could feel isolated. For the vast majority of people we see, it’s a feeling that they can’t talk about what’s happening to them. They don’t want to worry their family or friends about their diagnosis, it’s easier to just say ‘I’m fine’ – but they’re bottling it all up.
“For many others, it’s what happens after they’ve finished their treatment and they no longer need regular visits to hospital. That can often leave people feeling alone and not knowing where to turn. We have helped many people with practical problems – such as a lady in her 80s who was too weak to even lift a kettle or put her black bin out; we were able to get support for her.
“We were also able to secure a Macmillan grant for a man with mobility problems following cancer – he desperately wanted to see his grandchildren but that was becoming increasingly difficult. The grant helped pay for a computer and webcam so he could talk online with his grandchildren - this was a huge boost for him.”
Debbie and Lynne are Macmillan Independent Living Coordinators working for the Macmillan Cancer Support Service – run in partnership with Age UK Sheffield. They provide free, non-clinical advice and support to anyone over the age of 50 who has been affected by cancer – including families, friends and carers of people with cancer.
“We help with practical problems”
Debbie added: “It can be as simple as a phone call and us signposting someone to a service, to very in-depth work with people in their homes. We can provide information and advice and, if necessary, put people in touch with organisations.” The service is just once of the many provided by Macmillan Cancer Support in Sheffield.
We’re here with medical, emotional and financial support to anyone affected by cancer.
The Macmillan Cancer Support Service can be contacted on Tel: 0114 250 2850
or macmillan@ageuksheffield.org.uk
There is also an Information Drop-in Service available in 44 Castle Square, Sheffield, 10.30am–1pm, Monday–Friday
For more about Macmillan and the services we offer, call the Macmillan Support Line free on: 0808 808 00 00
or visit www.macmillan.org.uk