Monday 06 September 2021
This week sees the launch of a 12-month pilot providing weekly drop-ins and organised sessions for those living with, and beyond, a cancer diagnosis.
These sessions will take place in the room, belonging to health connections, above the Health Connections shop in market square. Sessions start on Tuesday 7 Septemberand will be every Tuesday thereafter.
Anyone can drop in between 11am and 4pm and a health professional will often be available for advice and support.
The first organised session is a talk between 2pm and 4pm this Tuesday by the Health Improvement Commission regarding Social Prescribing. However, people can drop in for information, coffee, peer support and a chat from 11am. Hannah Robilliard, senior community health connector, has kindly agreed to coordinate these sessions.
Sharon Treacy, Breast Nurse Consultant, said:
'Earlier this year I facilitated a wellbeing day for breast and gynaecological cancer patients. The day included a number of education sessions as well as exercise and relaxation - which were extremely well received.
This initiative is based on the Maggie's Centre charity which provides free cancer support and information in centres across the UK and online. A new Maggie's centre has just been opened in Southampton but there is no similar building offering this sort of service locally. We have come up with a 12-month programme of initiatives and are hoping cancer patients can inform us if there are any specific ideas relating to individual cancers as well as generic sessions that the group feel would be worth arranging.'
The programme of initiatives is hoping to cover the following:
- Diet
- physical activity
- fatigue
- sleep hygiene
- yoga
- mindfulness
- art therapy
- counselling
- the sunflower project
- body image
- sexual issues
- pain and cancer
Other ideas include:
- going back to work
- information on available benefits
- the Look good, feel better service
- the wig service
- complementary therapies
All cancer patients and their families are welcome.
Macmillan information booklets and leaflets on local cancer support groups and charities will be available.
