Cancer Support Services in Bristol | Spotlight

16 August 2020 — lia-rogers

There are over 6,000 local and national support services listed across the UK on Cancer Care Map. Today we’re spotlighting some of the cancer support services available in and around Bristol. 

Caafi Health Cancer Champions – Project for Black and Minoritised communities in inner-city Bristol. Supported by Macmillan Cancer Support, it trains local volunteers called cancer champions to provide practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer. The volunteer can help you with practical tasks, getting to appointments, understanding information given to you by health professionals, signposting to local services, and more.

It’s in the Bag – Charity providing support for men with testicular cancer. It provides social events, courses, information, volunteering opportunities, and support both to men and their loved ones at any stage of their cancer journey.

The Harbour – Charity for people facing death, dying and bereavement. It offers confidential, professional counselling and psychotherapy through one-to-one, couple and group therapies. Partially and fully funded sessions available.

Nutrition Proactive Project – Dietician service at Southmead Hospital offering help and advice to people before and after a cancer diagnosis and treatment. It aims to provide personalised, understandable and practical information on a range of issues including concern about poor appetite, unintended weight loss, gastrointestinal issues and eating well for the future. Support can be offered through face to face meetings, video calls and by phone.

Penny Brohn Wellbeing Days – Held at the centre near Bristol, are open to anyone affected by cancer. Each day focuses on a different wellbeing theme and an opportunity to come together with others in a similar situation. The days are led by an experienced team of cancer specialists and featuring a range of activities to support health and wellbeing. Lunch and snacks are included.

Your Cancer Café Nailsea – Support group for people living with and beyond cancer. It offers the chance to meet others with shared experiences and get support and information, with refreshments provided. Specialists, such as dieticians and therapists, are sometimes available to consult during the meetings.

Bristol Ostomates Self Support Group (BOSS) – Self-help group for people living with a stoma, and their loved ones and carers. It holds quarterly meetings offering the chance to meet others with shared experiences. It also has a private Facebook group.

Bristol Black Carers – Charity supporting young and adult unpaid carers from Caribbean, African and Asian backgrounds. It offers a wide range of support including information, carer assessment, advice on housing issues, help applying for benefits, referrals to connect you to other organisations for additional support, and carer events and groups.

Carers Support – Independent charity offering support, information and advice to unpaid carers of any age living in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire areas. Services include one to one tailored support, help to get a carer’s assessment, carer groups and befriending, counselling, and more.

For more, head to the Cancer Care Map homepage and type in your postcode and/or relevant keywords.