Posted on Friday 4th November 2011
Macmillan Cancer Support
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has become the first in Wales to launch a unique new suport group for family, friends and neighbours of those with a diagnosis of cancer has been launched at Aberdare Library.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Carers Support Project and MacMillan Cancer Support are working in partnership to develop the “We Care Group”. Meetings are held upstairs in Aberdare Library on the third Wednesday of each month from 4-5pm.
People can come along to these informal meetings to talk to others in similar situations and find out what is available locally and nationally to help them. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2011, and refreshments will be provided free.
The partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support and Rhondda Cynon Taf Library Service is going from strength to strength. This flagship project, the first of its kind in Wales, provides cancer information points in all 28 libraries and four mobile libraries, with a dedicated co-ordinator who offers free confidential one-to one-support and ensures people in Rhondda Cynon Taf have access to good quality, up-to-date cancer information.
Project co-ordinator Karen Langworthy has been in post since April 2011 and since then has given one-to-one and telephone information and support to more than 100 people. Additionally, more than 2,500 health information leaflets have been distributed by the service through libraries and at various outreach and community events.
As well as providing information, the project puts people affected by cancer in touch with other services and organisations who can help them, for example with benefit advice or counselling services.
Over the past six months, the project has been working with local and national organisations such as Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, NHS Direct, Tenovus, Rhondda Breast Friends, Rowan Tree Cancer Care and Pontyclun Bosom Pals to try to ensure people get the support they need when they need it most.
Cllr Mike Forey, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing,said: "We are proud to be the first local authority in Wales to be offering this unique and important service for those affected by cancer. People of all ages and from all walks of life are welcome to the come along to the support group.”
“The group is not only there for the person with cancer but also their family, friends and carers, as well as health professionals who are supporting people with cancer.”
If you have any questions about cancer, information requests, or if you would just like someone to talk to, please call Karen on 01443 406050.