Preston cancer charity expects increased demand for support services

Cancer Help hopes to start once again providing its therapy and bereavement services in person from its base in Ribbleton after they were suspended at the beginning of lockdown. Work has been carried out at the Vine House facility on Cromwell Road to ensure that it is Covid-secure.

However, the charity - which also has a base in Garstang - says it will continue to offer the remote support that it has developed in recent months, which has proved popular with clients. Andy Brown, head of adult therapy, said he was expecting an increased demand for services.

“The coronavirus crisis has brought about a whole new challenge for our charity in serving clients who are not only affected by cancer, but now have to deal with social isolation, job insecurity, the stresses on relationships and bereavement due to the virus.

“We are here to support you - adults, children and young people alike - whether remotely or in person, and you can be sure of our genuine commitment to safe, caring, confidential support in the heart of our community.”

The charity earlier this year received an £86,000 lottery grant which will be used in part to offer support to NHS staff to help them cope with the fallout from coronavirus and its effect on patients being treated for cancer. The money will also fund expanded services for those bereaved by Covid and to support the charity's specialist bereavement service for children and young people.