New Macmillan info centre open
Cancer sufferers and families now have support on their doorstep Competition... Competition... Competition... Competition
A new Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service opened in Hamilton Town House Library last week.
People affected by cancer in South Lanarkshire can now have access to support on their doorstep.
Last week, members of the public, South Lanarkshire Council and the fundraising committee gathered for the official opening of the drop-in service.
Macmillan has teamed up with South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture to provide much-needed support services for people affected by cancer in libraries throughout South Lanarkshire.
Hamilton Town House Library is the first drop-in service to open, with East Kilbride following later in the year.
The service will be run by highlytrained volunteers who can provide emotional and practical advice, access to information on various cancers and treatment, or simply a listening ear.
They will also be able to offer specialist cancer information and emotional support and refer people onto other services, including benefits advice, complementary therapies and counselling.
Six Macmillan Cancer Information Points have also been introduced in libraries across South Lanarkshire, to allow people to pick up information on specific cancers, living with all aspects of cancer, as well as signposting you to the nearest Macmillan drop in centre.
Macmillan’s head of services in Scotland, Janice Preston said: “A cancer diagnosis brings with it all kinds of questions and uncertainty for patients, their families and friends.
“It affects every area of people’s lives and having access to information and emotional support at this stressful time is vital.
“Being able to access services locally is also important. Working with South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture is allowing us to deliver this and without partnerships like this we wouldn’t be able to provide this support to people affected by cancer locally.
“It is also thanks to the hard work and dedication of our supporters in Lanarkshire who raise so much money for us that we are able to introduce such vital services and we’re incredibly grateful for their continued support.”
Macmillan is investing £800,000 to develop a range of services across North and South Lanarkshire to ensure people affected by cancer have the support they need locally.
The charity is working in partnership with South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture to promote their Active Health programme.
The new services will all be free and available to anyone affected by cancer.
To find out more visit www.culturenl. co.uk/macmillan or contact the Macmillan library coordinator on 01698 332604 or email macmillan@ culturenl.co.uk.