Wessex Cancer Support is here to listen and help anyone in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight

Are you affected by cancer and feel isolated and alone? Picture supplied

Wessex Cancer Support provides free and local wellbeing support to anyone affected by cancer in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. Clients may have cancer themselves, be adjusting to life after cancer, supporting someone with cancer, or be bereaved.

There’s no right or wrong way to feel if you’re affected by cancer, and the charity takes time to listen to all its clients’ unique needs and work with them to put together a package of support that suits them best.

Range of services

Wessex Cancer Support promises a friendly, calm and welcoming atmosphere at its four support centres in Chandler’s Ford, Bournemouth, Hythe [Waterside] and Newport [IOW]. At all its centres, there is a drop-in service, professional counselling, complementary therapies, activities, support groups and courses. It also runs weekly drop-in sessions in Andover and provides online services so people in other parts of the region can access support remotely.

The charity runs groups in the heart of the community – like its Sing for Life choirs - and provides transport on its Daisy Buses to help Isle of Wight and Channel Island patients get to their hospital appointments in Portsmouth and Southampton.

Natalie’s story

Local artist, Natalie, was 45 when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She says: “Cancer took my life and shook it like a snow-globe. I sold my flat and closed my business because I couldn’t cope with the glass and grout dust in my throat. I’ve had treatment, but it still takes a lot of effort to speak, and socialising with friends can be exhausting. When I felt most isolated, I found Wessex Cancer Support. There, I’m simply Natalie and I feel heard. I’m not just a statistic or a sticker. The charity’s supported me at so many stages of my cancer journey. I want to shout from the rooftops that it’s ok to ask for support.”

Wessex Cancer Support is here to listen and help – find out what they can do for you, or what you could do for them. Picture supplied

If you’d like to find out more about the support available, visit www.wessexcancer.org.uk.

Do more in 2024!

Receiving no Government funding, Wessex Cancer Support relies on donations to continue to provide this support for free.

There are so many ways you can get involved with Wessex Cancer Support. On a personal level you can raise sponsorship through one of its organised events, hold your own fundraising event or make a financial contribution by donating.

The charity has a packed calendar of events for 2024, with lots of brand-new challenges, and there’s something for everyone! Take a look at wessexcancer.org.uk/events.

No act of kindness is too small and there are many ways to get involved without spending a penny. You could volunteer at events, in support centres or any of its five shops, donate your preloved items or follow the charity on social media.

Your organisation could choose Wessex Cancer Support as its Charity of the Year, sponsor a fundraising event, provide auction prizes, or allow staff time to volunteer.

Whatever your contribution, it’ll make a huge difference to the lives of local people affected by cancer.

The charity is always pleased to speak to employees about the cancer support available and can help you raise awareness of the services it provides within your own organisation.

For more information about Wessex Cancer Support, please email Jo Merrett, [email protected]