Sheffield charity's important message to cancer patients during lockdown

‘Caring in every sense has never been more important.’
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That’s the message from Sheffield’s Weston Park Cancer Charity, which has been working hard to support hundreds of cancer patients and their families since the support centre was forced to close its doors last month.

The charity, like many others, has had to adapt its entire operation to continue providing vital support - either over the phone, via video call or by other virtual means.

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Emma Clarke, director of services and grant giving, said: “It’s a challenging period for everyone during these unprecedented times - but imagine you had just been recently diagnosed with cancer or sadly lost a loved one, how much more potentially distressing it could be.

The team at Weston Park Cancer Charity is still on-hand to provide vital support to those living with cancer, during the pandemic.The team at Weston Park Cancer Charity is still on-hand to provide vital support to those living with cancer, during the pandemic.
The team at Weston Park Cancer Charity is still on-hand to provide vital support to those living with cancer, during the pandemic.

“We’ve been speaking to cancer patients and their families every day to make a real life difference and the feedback so far has been heart-warming – including one particular individual who recently said they feel so much better and more positive after to speaking to our team.”

The charity is supporting more people in greater distress than ever, as Weston Park staff say they are experiencing ‘understandably high levels of worry, anxiety and loneliness’ among those suffering from cancer, and their families.

Among those provided with vital support by Weston Park Cancer Charity are bereaved families, who are experiencing huge amounts of emotional stress at a time when there are government restrictions on funeral arrangements.

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They are among hundreds of people who have been supported by Weston Park Cancer Charity in the last month, as it responded and adapted quickly to the changing needs of patients due to coronavirus.

As a result, the charity’s helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm and is providing a real life difference through vital emotional support - including one-to-one mindfulness support, psychological therapy and bereavement support; regular phone support to people who are self-isolating for a prolonged period through the We Care social group; access to healthcare professionals for anyone who is directly affected by cancer; and appointments with Welfare Benefits Advisors for those with financial worries.

In addition, Weston Park Cancer Charity is also offering hardship grants of up to £300 for those identified as most in need, as well as practical support including grocery shopping and picking up essential supplies.

One in two people in the UK will develop cancer during their lifetime.

Visit westonpark.org.uk, call 0114 553 3330 or email [email protected] for details on Weston Park Cancer Charity’s service offering, and to find out how to make a donation.

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