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January 2024

Contact us by phone:  Call us on 01223 840 105
Contact us by email: Email us at manager@cambridgecancerhelp.org or click here
Follow us: on social media for regular updates: Facebook
Explore: our Website for more information.
Welcome to our Winter Newsletter
 
Happy New Year to all of our members and supporters. We hope this newsletter finds you all well and rested after the recent festivities.

A big thank you to everyone for all of their support and help in 2023. We are all very excited here at the Centre for the year ahead. Please do keep an eye out on our website, notice boards, social media and newsletters for all of the exciting, upcoming events. We look forward to another year with you all.

From Julie and all of the volunteers and trustees at the Cambridge Cancer Help Centre.
What's on?

 
Dates for your diary

The Centre offers many regular activities and events each week including yoga, art, dance, singing and much much more.  We also host a number of monthly patient support groups. Our current schedule is below. Please contact the Centre for the latest timetable and to confirm timings.



In addition to these regular events, we have a number of additional dates for your diaries in the coming months: 
  • We look forward to offering a rotating programme of new activities on Wednesday afternoons starting in January - including bingo, singing, quizes and games.
  • Our next Macmillan HOPE course (Helping to Overcome Problems Effectively) starts on 23rd January 2024 and runs for 6 weeks. Attendees receive support and share experiences. To find our more information contact Janet Hickman at the Centre.
  • Join us at our next Wellbeing Event with the CUH Cancer Support Team and Boots No. 7 on Wednesday 31st January 2024 at Boots, Petty Cury in Cambridge. More details later in this newsletter.
  • Join us for our next Quiz Night in February 2024 - date and venue will be advertised shortly.  All welcome, and proceeds will help support the continued work of the Centre.
  • On the morning of 12th March 2024, we will host Professor Robert Thomas (Consultant Oncologist and Professor of Exercise and Nutritional Health) at the Centre for a talk on a new trial for Prostate Cancer and Gut Health to be followed by a Q&A. 
  • Look Good Feel Better - 18th March 2024. https://lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/ More details to follow in the Centre and on our social media. 
For further information on any of these events, please speak to someone at The Centre, call us on 01223 840105 or email us at manager@cambridgecancerhelp.org. 
Wellbeing Event - 31st January 2024


Cambridge University Hospitals CUH Cancer Support Service, Boots No7 and the Cambridge Cancer Help Centre are pleased to announce our next wellbeing event with small group sessions looking at skincare, makeup and massage .

The event will be held at Boots Petty Cury store in Cambridge (opposite M&S - postcode CB2 3ND) Centre on Wednesday 31st January 2024

Attendees are kindly asked t book via the Centre. Two sessions are available, the first from 12noon to 2pm and the second from 4pm to 6pm. Refreshments will be available and there will be the opportunity to purchase products.

Guided Imagery and Mindfulness
 
Please join this small friendly group and learn how to use Guided Imagery and Mindfulness techniques to help you relax.

Sessions are held every Tuesday in the Centre at 11.30am. Ask the Centre team for more information!
Talk on a New Trial for Prostate Cancer and Gut Health and Q&A with Professor Robert Thomas - Tuesday 12th March 2024

We are privileged to be hosting a talk on a New Trial for Prostate Cancer and Gut Health from Professor Robert Thomas (our Patron) at the Centre on Tuesday 12th March 2024 in the morning. There will be a Question and Answer (Q&A) session.




Professor Thomas is Consultant Oncologist at Bedford & Addenbrooke's Cambridge University Trusts and Professor of Exercise & Nutritional Science at the University of Bedfordshire.




Professor Thomas is currently working on an exciting new trial which has just started at Bedford and Cambridge involving men with prostate cancer. The design was very much enhanced by strong involvement from our local patients and patient advocacy groups.

This is the first clinical study which is looking at an intervention to improve gut health of men with prostate cancer which is looking at a number of relevant end points including PSA, MRI changes, Vitamin D, testosterone, urinary and erectile function. The trial is also looking at novel end points including strength and exercise levels to see if they independently correlate with cancer progression.

Professor Thomas is also the author of a number of books and publications including: 

How to Live Book | Keep Healthy (keep-healthy.com)
and
This fully colour illustrated book by lifestyle and cancer expert professor Rob Thomas dispels the myths and describes easy to follow effective rules (keep-healthy.com)
New Therapist - Beth Ashworth

Hi everyone! My name’s Beth Ashworth and I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Centre as a talking therapist.  

18 months ago I left my corporate London job to pursue a career as a therapist - after my own struggles with depression, anxiety and poor health due to burnout, I felt compelled to pivot my career to one that benefits others mental health. 

Now I’m working part time for a small Amazon Agency (we help brands with their online commerce) as I build up my qualifications to be a full-time psychotherapist (that’s the end goal! Masters pending!)

The nitty gritty! I’m Level 5 (diploma) accredited by the IAPC&M - my training covered a range of coaching & counselling skills including: neurolinguisitc practitioning, advanced counselling, psycho-imaginative therapy, and hypnotherapy. My personal experience also encompasses CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) & ACT (acceptance & commitment therapy) which helps build a robust holistic offering when talking with clients. 

In other words: my goal as a therapist is to provide a holistic approach that is tailored to the individual. I make sure to educate myself in multiple therapeutic disciplines, so that I can employ the technique that will most benefit the client. We are all wired differently - I listen and learn about the individual, providing resources and techniques that best suit their unique and wonderful self :)

I’m a people-person and pride myself in creating a safe, judgement-free, comfortable environment that allows the client to think, feel and process exactly what they need in that moment. 
Let's talk about Cancer -
Screening programmes and why they are important


The East of England Cancer Alliance's Patient Partnership Group is hosting a free online event (via Microsoft Teams) on Tuesday 24th January 2024 from 6.30 to 7.30pm for anyone who wants to hear more about cancer screening programmes.

We have invited Pam Hall, Public Health Consultant and Lead for cancer screening programmes in our area, to talk to us. Pam will talk through the various programmes, who is eligible, and why. We will also cover some of the adaptions and provisions you can expect so any screening you may have will be more comfortable for you. We will also hear from a member of the public about their experiences of cancer screening.

If you would like to join the event please email: england.eoecancerallianceteam@nhs.net 

For more information visit: https://www.canceralliance.co.uk/public/lets-talk-about-cancer 

This is the first in a series of events to be held over the coming months

Round-up of the fourth quarter of the year

The Autumn and early Winter has seen a lot going on at the Centre. Below is a round-up of some of the highlights.
   

A huge thank you to the team at Hill Demolition who cycled around Cambridge at the end of September to raise funds in aid of the work of the Centre.



The total raised was close to an incredible £2400 and every penny raised will help us to support more individuals, families and carers living with Cancer across our region.

To find out more about Hill Demolition visit their website https://www.hilldemolition.com
 
On 5th October, we held our Quiz Night at the Stapleford Granary. 

Teams enjoyed an evening a wonderful evening. Some photos from the event below. 





 
On 17th October, the Centre hosted an informative and engaging Wellbeing Event with the Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) Cancer Support team focused on "Feeling Well Throughout the Winter Months"




The drop-in event hosted various information stalls to give advice and help to members including Healthwatch, REACT and Community navigators.

A number of wellbeing events are held through the year and provide fantastic support for those going through cancer. Our next wellbeing event is at Boots on 31st January - see above for details!
 

On Friday 20th October (in support of Breast Cancer Awareness), the Gonville Hotel Cambridge provided complimentary Afternoon Tea for members of Breast Cancer support group. 

We are grateful to everyone at the Gonville Hotel for supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month this year and in turn for raising funds to support the Centre - including a percentage of funds raised from the sale of afternoon teas, a raffle and donation boxes.

The Gonville Hotel is a 4* Boutique Hotel overlooking Parker's Piece in the heart of Cambridge offering gracious hospitality and kindness without exception. 
 

A six-week Art Course was held at the Centre by Helen Wiseman. Thank you Helen! Helen designs cards, gifts and wallpaper with the sole aim to put a smile on the face of the person that receives it. To find out more take a look at Helen's website:  https://www.helenwiseman.co.uk/
 
On Saturday 25th November, we held our Christmas Bazaar at the Centre which was well supported and proved to be a highly colourful and enjoyable afternoon. 

Attractions included our Santa’s Grotto, stalls offering arts and crafts, tombola, a lucky dip, food and drink, face painting and children’s games.

Funds raised will help the Centre provide support for those living with Cancer in 2024. 



A big thank you to all of the stall holders and our wonderful team of volunteers who made this event possible.  Thank you also to Father Christmas for accommodating a visit to the Centre as part of his busy schedule at this time of the year. 
 

On November 6th, three reflexologists generously offered "taster therapy sessions" to members of our Carer's Group which was very much appreciated.

Emma (one of our reflexologists) will now be offering sessions once a month to the Carer's group. 
 

On Wednesday 13th December, we held a special Christmas "Bring and Share" lunch at the Centre. Members attending enjoyed a fabulous spread of food, a Secret Santa, carol singing, conga dancing and much more! Thank you to everyone for your support in making this a successful event! 

 

In the last quarter of 2023 we were delighted to receive funding from Redrow and Cambridge United Football Club






Just before Christmas we also received a donation from the Three Grand Principles UGLE No.441 Freemasons Lodge in Cambridge. Bob Hammett (pictured) from the lodge visited the Centre and experienced a complementary head massage.

We would like to thank our Craft Group for their ongoing support in raising funds for the Centre. We also appreciate the support of the Yoga Group who have raised ~£3500 during the year. We also appreciate a generous donation of ~£1000 from one of our members during the past year.

We are grateful to all of our members, friends and partner organisations who have supported us in raising funds during 2023. Receiving no public money, as a charity grants and donations like this are essential in ensuring that we can continue to support those living with Cancer in our region. Thank you all for your generous support.
 

On Saturday 30th December, the Centre had a stand at Scotsdales Garden Centre as part of our efforts to raise visibility of the support we provide to those living with Cancer in our area.  A further event is planned for the spring.
Winter Survey 2023 - Feedback

Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback in our Winter Survey held during December - via paper forms in the Centre and an online form. The two surveys were broadly similar - with a few extra questions online. 










We particular thank everyone who provide detailed feedback on how we are doing and a range of comments and suggestions for the future. The survey results are being reviewed and we hope to take as many of the ideas forward as possible this year. 

Overall your feedback was positive with average scores of 4.3 and above (out of 5) for every question. 

Here are four pieces of feedback on the Centre which we were particularly pleased to see:
  • "The Centre is vital as a help for patients in shock after the diagnosis and gradually enables patients to live positively with that diagnosis."
  • "Thank you for all your help and support. It's a wonderful, friendly place. We couldn't have got through our experiences without you"
  • "The Centre is amazing and I'm so very thankful it has been there for me during this difficult year. Thank you for everything you do!"
  • The Centre is my lifeline, it is a wonderful place for friendship, support and activities. I owe them so much. Thank you. What would I do without their support? Wonderful volunteers and organisers."
We appreciate the honest and open feedback on the areas where we can do better in 2024. These included:
  • Ensuring every member and visitor to the Centre receives an equally warm welcome
  • Being more consistent in our approach to donations for therapies
  • Improving communication of events and courses in advance
  • Challenge of doing yoga on dirty stained carpets in the Centre
Suggestions for the future included:
  • Nutritional Advice, Healthy Eating
  • Walking Group
  • Online Booking for Therapies
  • Meditation Class, Help in Managing Sleep 
  • Guest Speakers
  • Wider range of Therapies
  • Better coffee
  • Explore opening on different days of the week
Volunteer Story - Pat Whittle 

I have been a member of the team of volunteers at the Centre for many years.  I enjoy every minute of it and find it a very rewarding experience being able to help in some small way those people who make use of the Centre's facilities. 

My primary responsibility has always been tending the tea bar on a Wednesday from 10am - 4pm.  This in particular allows me the time and opportunity  to meet the many people (members and their family and friends) visiting the Centre, helping with others to make them feel welcome, and offering friendship and a listening ear.

In addition to my tea making, I give on average a couple of hours a week to help with some of the other aspects of the Centre's activities. Currently I am a member of the fundraising committee which amongst other things involves helping to plan, organise and manage events. More recently I have been assisting June, another volunteer, sorting and pricing nearly new clothes and other gifts donated to the Centre for sale.


The Centre is a very special place to me and many other people, and if you are interested in joining our volunteers team please come in for a chat with Julie, our Centre Manager.

Pat Whittle
December 2023
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