If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, your Keyworker (or Specialist Nurse) can help signpost you to local services that are available.
Macmillan Cancer Support can provide practical, medical, financial and emotional support and push for better cancer care. They have a local base on the lower ground floor of St Helens Hospital that is able to provide information and support over the phone, by email or face to face. Macmillan run courses for survivors of cancer and can provide a one-off means-tested grant payment to help cover a wide range of practical needs. Macmillan Nurses are also based within Willowbrook Hospice, however you will need to be referred by a health professional to access this service.
St Helens Cancer Support Group is a local charity that provide various services for people living in the St Helens borough that have been affected by cancer. They have a drop-in service held twice a week where you can talk to someone in confidence for practical or emotional support, and they have a library of information and leaflets that you can take away.
Cancer Research UK is one of the world’s largest charities that conducts research into cancer, and supports people affected by cancer. They can provide information and answer any questions for everyone – patients, Carers or anyone who would like to know more about preventing or spotting cancer. Their main website has comprehensive information about all types of cancer, and they have a separate Cancer Help section of website dedicated to providing information for patients with cancer, and Cancer Information Nurses can be also contacted free on 0808 800 4040. They also have an online community called Cancer Chat, where you can interact with other people who have been affected by cancer.