Breast Cancer Haven in Titchfield furloughs more than 70 per cent of its staff

Breast Cancer Haven in Titchfield, in The Square, is part of a nationwide network of cancer support centres that have seen 70 per cent of their staff placed on furlough and the remaining team members taking a voluntary 20 per cent pay cut.

It comes as the charity faces a £900,000 shortfall, with a series of fundraising events cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 70 per cent of staff had been furloughed at the Titchfield centre, but it will continue to provide a range of virtual services online.

Marketing manager Hannah Marmion said: ‘We are still open to new people who need support.

‘We are still running a lot of our support groups virtually, and we do have health care professionals at the end of the line, including nurses with lots of experience.’

The move comes as the charity has seen an increase in cancer patients needing support, according to Hannah.

She added: ‘We have had a lot of phone calls – more than normal.

‘A lot of people are saying they have an overwhelming feeling of isolation, so having someone at the end of the phone is a real life line.’

During its normal operations, it costs more than £1,200 to for the service to provide breast cancer patients with 10 free hours of supportive therapy time, as well as two hours with a specialist nurse.

Facing a drop in cash, even the drastic staffing changes may ‘not be enough’, according to CEO Sally Hall.

She said: ‘These decisions were not taken lightly and I’d like to thank our staff for the incredible dedication they have shown during this time.”

‘The most important thing for all of us at Breast Cancer Haven is that we can continue to support people going through the hardest time of their lives.

‘Despite everything we have done, it might not be enough. Where will those that need us go then?’

The charity is hoping to be supported by the government’s plans to assist the charity sector, announced by chancellor Rishi Sunak last Wednesday.

The CEO added: ‘I am relieved that the government has chosen to support the charity sector with a pledge of £750m. What will be crucial is the speed of which that cash finds its way to charities.’

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