13. Our Support

group programmes

We currently offer two group programmes for people who have had a cancer diagnosis. These aim to help people identify what is important to them and to develop techniques to live in line with those values.

The Fear of Recurrence group programme aims to help those who have completed active treatment and have a fear of cancer coming back which they find difficult to live with.

The Living with Uncertainty group programme aims to help people to develop skills to live a meaningful life in line with the things that are important to them, alongside cancer.

“It explained so much and gave me hope for the first time since being diagnosed. It showed me a different way of thinking and being. It was just great! It has helped me beyond belief.”

Fear of Recurrence participant

“Meeting other people with cancer who I can totally connect with and understand the fears and emotions was so helpful. The exercises to help manage stress were amazing and I use them most days. Also, I made some new friends, and we email which was a surprise, pleasant bonus.”

Living with Uncertainty participant

If interested in our Group Support Programmes, please send an email to supportservices@beatsoncancercharity.org or call 0141 212 0505 and ask to speak to someone about the group programmes.

news

from beatson café

Our friendly café team enjoy welcoming patients, families and staff into our cosy café on Level 0, Tom Wheldon building of The Beatson!

?Did you know we are open 5 days a week, for delicious coffee, cake and hot food. snowmen cupcakes

OUR BEST SELLERS INCLUDE: empire biscuits, baked potatoes, cheese toasties and soup!

fabulous feedback

Our wonderful volunteer team in the café received a thank you card from a patient with a beautiful message thanking them for their support and for making them smile every time they were in for treatment.

INGREDIENTS:

SPONGE CAKE

• 200g Caster Sugar • 200ml Vegetable Oil • 2 Medium Eggs • ½ tsp Vanilla Extract • 200g Plain Flour • ½ Heaped TSP Bicarbonate of Soda

MARSHMALLOW ICING

• 200g/7oz Unsalted Butter (Softened) • 400g/14oz Icing Sugar • 1–2 tbsp Milk SNOWMEN DECORATIONS

• 12 White Marshmallows (medium) • Black Icing Pen • 12 Candied Peel ( cut into pieces) • M&M’s or Smarties • 12 Matchmakers (snapped in half)

room to reward – hidden heroes!

We’re delighted to say we have honoured another two wonderful volunteers with some help from our friends at Room to Reward. Room to Reward help charities and good causes across the whole of the UK recognise the importance of, and say thank you to inspirational volunteers who give up their time to help others. We were previously able to recognise one Hidden Hero, Martin, as part of the Room to Reward Outstanding Contribution during the pandemic campaign. We were thrilled to be able to say thanks to two more incredible volunteers, who were both nominated by fellow volunteers! Joyce Andrews was nominated by the Thursday Girls who volunteer with Joyce in our Beatson Café. This was a nomination wholeheartedly supported by our Volunteer Team. Alexis Patrick was nominated by fellow Give and Go and MDU Tea Trolley volunteer, Bill.

ward volunteering has returned

We are delighted to announce ward volunteers have returned to the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. The programme focuses on volunteers spending time with patients to provide company and emotional support. It started in 2018, but was suspended in March 2020 following the pandemic. Volunteers support patients during their time in the wards by making a patient a cup of tea and spending time with them.

Nasreen has been volunteering on the wards since the programme returned in July.

She said: “I find that ward volunteering provides me with an opportunity to give something back and hopefully makes a difference. It’s good to chat to someone who’s feeling lonely and wants some company - especially those with few or no visitors. It can make their hospital stay less lonely, reduce their boredom and act as a welcome distraction from feeling ill. I once had a patient referring to me as his ‘lucky charm’ because after offloading some of his anxieties to me about being in hospital, he was told he could go home that day. On occasions I have had partners and visitors offloading their anxieties.”

Anyone who wishes to find out more about our ward volunteering programme is welcome to get in touch with Marlyn to find out more:

volunteer@beatsoncancercharity.org

befriending befriending service hits 2000 calls

We were delighted to tell our supporters in March this year that our Befriending Service hit 1000 calls. Only a matter of months later and we are proud to say that number has doubled, with many patients now benefiting from the service on a regular basis. Volunteer, Marty Jackson, assists with calling patients as part of our Befriending Service.

“For as long as I can remember I have had a passion for working with and helping people in need. As soon as I started volunteering, I began helping with the Befriending Service. Some people were going through treatment, and some were living with cancer through a family member or partner. The befriending service was a way for us to reach out to those affected and offer a safe and open space for them to talk about the things they felt were the most difficult for them. The service has an amazing signposting feature where we can listen to a service user’s situation and offer help in a number of ways. Support is a premium at all times and it really reinforces that they’re not alone, and talking about their fears, worries or concerns really helps them cope much better. I feel so lucky to be able to chat to all my service users each week and to reinforce that support and encouragement ethic that some may not have had for a long time. Strangers immediately become friends - that’s so powerful and important for everyone that uses our service”.

58-year old Paul Kennedy from Johnstone is a Befriending Service user since his cancer diagnosis and was paired up with volunteer, Marty.

“I have been using the Befriending Service since I was diagnosed with prostate cancer just over a year ago. The Befriending Service has been a godsend to me and my family as being diagnosed with cancer affects all the family, not just me. Before I started using the service, I didn’t have an outlet - everything was bottled up because you don’t want to worry your wife and children with the thoughts that go through your head on a daily basis. I have phone calls on a weekly basis with Marty. It is increasingly important to have Marty and sometimes it’s better not to talk about cancer but just life in general - especially now. I would strongly recommend the Befriending Service to everyone that is touched by cancer as it’s always better to talk”.

corporate and community

Teddi | 2022/23 Ambassadog

Pollok Golf Club

Kirkhill Golf Club Say Hello to our 2022/23 Ambassadog... Teddi! Teddi is a 3-year old German Shepherd. Owners Hazel Ann Gilbert and Kevin Gilbert live with Teddi in Grangemouth, Falkirk.

The couple entered Teddi in the competition as Kevin was diagnosed with stage three tonsil cancer and recently rang the bell at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre to signal the end of his treatment.

Hazel said: “When we saw the competition, we thought it was a nice way for us to keep connected with the Beatson and all the good work that they do. We can hopefully promote it and try and raise some funds.”

tee-rific

Pollok Golf Club have supported our charity since 2020, beginning with the Beatson Bunker initiative, which has been extremely well supported by the club… The 17th hole is one to watch with three bunkers to avoid, which judging by the number of donations, many do not manage! Led by Graham Thomson and Scott McKenzie, they held two events this year: the ladies Tri-Am in June and the Shotgun event in September. The Beatson Shotgun Day raised just under £15,000, and to date the club have raised more than £25,000!

Thank you to Kirkhill Golf Club for choosing to support us for their first Charity Day. The event took place on 9th June and they raised an incredible £9,218.70.

Duncan Williamson PGA Pro and the team at Kirkhill have supported Beatson Cancer Charity for many years and we were delighted to have been nominated to benefit from the event. Fabulous day and amazing support.

first aid training

We would like to say a massive thank you to The Malcolm Group, who put on first aid training days for 23 Beatson Cancer Charity employees in October.

First aid training is invaluable and we are very grateful to trainer Derek Milne for giving up his time to help keep our staff safe.

evolving fundraising

Introducing our wristbands and can collections. We’re always looking for innovative ways to fundraise - our donation cans and fabulous new wristbands (we are one of the first charities in Scotland to use these!) not only have QR codes to facilitate contactless donations but also include the latest NFC technology to allow personalised fundraising tailored to our supporters’ requirements.

Please get in touch if you’d like to find out more.

Christies Bakers in Coatbridge have collectively raised £6,141 between their 2 shops in Coatbridge and Airdrie over last 4 years. This averages out at over £127 in donations a month which we think is quite incredible!