Project information
Increasing Local Cancer Support
In 2017 we are aiming to extend the opening hours of all of our Cancer Support Centres.
Over 23,000 each year are diagnosed with cancer in the Wessex region, leading to an increase in demand for our local services.
Centres are in Bournemouth, Chandler's Ford, Cosham, Newport, Winchester and Hythe
March 2017 - March 2018
Charity information: Wessex Cancer Trust
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Need
Need
Earlier this year Cancer Research UK stated that the number of people diagnosed in their lifetime is rising from 1 in 3 people to 1 in 2. This means that the number of people being diagnosed with cancer in the Wessex region is significantly increasing.
In order to keep up with growing demand, all 5 out of 6 of our Centres need to be opening 5 days a week, providing more counselling and therapy appointments, more support groups and giving more time for drop-in Befriender sessions.Solution
From March 2017 we will be rolling out this project, starting in our busiest Centre in Hythe and continuing through the rest of the year to ensure all Centres are able to support a much higher number of cancer patients, their families and friends, by 2018.
On average each Centre would be able to provide over 1,000 more counselling and therapy appointments, and support approximately 350 more people through drop in befriending sessions and support groups. -
Aims
Aim 1
Extend opening hours of 5 Wessex Cancer Trust Cancer Support Centres
Activities
» Involve staff, volunteers and service users in the process with questionnaires, meetings and opportunities for feedback throughout the year
» Recruit adequate staff and volunteers to cover extended opening hours
At the end of the year success will be supporting local people with 5,000 more appointments, 1,000 more through support groups and 500 more through befriending.
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Impact
Impact
Support available in our Centres makes a real, long term, difference to clients' quality of life by improving physical and mental health, and ability to manage living with cancer.
We will gather feedback in order to create reports after 6 months and 1 year, collecting statistics such as the number of people attending appointments, groups and drop-in sessions, as well as more qualitative data in terms of how they feel after using our services and suggestions for future improvements.Risk
As with any project there are financial risks. However, we have already started to expand our fundraising and retail incomes to cope with the higher financial demands of extended opening hours, and will ensure we have sufficient funds to meet our charitable objectives.
Any operational risks are minimised by our established policies and procedures such as health and safety, and data protection. We will also have a dedicated member of staff overseeing the expansion.Reporting
After 6 months and 1 year we will report to donors with information on the number of people helped and the impact that the new hours has had on these people. We will also provide an impact report, giving an overview of the Trust's work as a whole, including photos and case studies of those helped.
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Budget
Budget - Project Cost: £132,143
Loading graph....Amount Heading Description £41,611 Bournemouth Centre Cost of extending Bournemouth Centre opening to 5 days per week £38,204 Chandler's Ford Cost of extending Chandler's Ford Centre to 5 days per week £24,328 Cosham Cost of extending Cosham Centre to 5 days per week £28,000 Newport Cost of extending Isle of Wight Centre to 5 days per week -
Background
Location
The 5 Centres that will be extending their opening hours are Bournemouth, Chandler’s Ford, Cosham, Newport and Hythe. Across these areas more than 20,000 are diagnosed with cancer each year, and this number is set to almost double by 2030.
Within these areas the cancer incidence is also significantly higher than the national average, particularly on the Isle of Wight where 689 people per 100,000 are diagnosed, compared to the national average of 607.Beneficiaries
The majority of our clients have had a cancer diagnosis themselves, and with such a high number of people diagnosed in the area, this project would allow us to help a great deal more of them. We also support those who have been bereaved, friends, family and carers.
Our Centres are open to anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis, regardless of age, gender, type of cancer, or the stage in their cancer journey. -
Why Us?
Why Us?
Wessex Cancer Trust is 35 this year.Its history includes funding ground-breaking research, providing specialist nurses and building hospital facilities. Since 2012 we have been offering local support, and 5 Centres have had demand for more hours. Our Centres are the only place offering support entirely away from a hospital environment, which often has negative connotations for patients. We also offer unlimited sessions, regularly welcoming clients from Macmillan who provide only 4 sessions each.
Read more about the Charity running this project.
People
Cait Allen
Our Chief Executive, who has overseen the opening of 3 new busy support Centres since joining the Trust in 2015
Sara Hawkins
Our Head of Services who has looked after our Centres since 2014. Having been through cancer herself, she brings a huge amount of passion to her role
Sharon Miller
Our Head of Finance and operations, Sharon has been with the Trust since 2012 and has managed the financial implications of all 6 of our Centres
Centre Managers
All our Centre Managers will be vital in the success of the project. Their passion and dedication will be key in delivering our aims and services.
£25
Enables us to provide a free counselling or complementary therapy session
"I think this is a wonderful service and don't know what I would have done without it. I'm so grateful for all the help I have had to get me through the shock of cancer"