Macmillan to host health and wellbeing event in Southport for people affected by cancer.

Southport’s Macmillan Centre is hosting a Health and Wellbeing Event at Southport College on Mornington Road, offering a range of support, information and activities for people affected by cancer.

 The event is being held on Thursday 3 November from 2pm-4pm in the college’s Oasis Canteen and will be the first of their Health and Wellbeing Events to be held face-to-face since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Support and information
It is organised jointly by the Southport Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, who work together to ensure those living with and beyond cancer have access to the support and information they need throughout diagnosis, treatment and adjusting to life following a cancer diagnosis.

Anyone is welcome to attend and will be able to meet a range of service providers from health and social care, community, voluntary and faith organisations and support groups on the day.

The Southport Macmillan Centre singing group will be opening the event and attendees will be able to enjoy complementary therapy taster sessions from Sefton OPERA (Older Persons Enabling Resource & Action).  Attendees will also get the opportunity to talk to a variety of clinical nurse specialists and representatives from the lung, urology and colorectal departments at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital, but are advised that if they need to speak to a particular specialist to please call the Macmillan Centre to check if they will be attending.

Face-to-face setting
Tanya Mulvey, manager at the Southport Macmillan Centre said: “We are delighted to be able to hold our Health and Wellbeing Event in a face-to-face setting again, to be able to meet and support people in person.

“Our new partnership with Southport College means that they have very kindly agreed to us using their Oasis Canteen as our new venue, which gives us plenty of space to allow for social distancing as well outdoor space that attendees can use.”

Always useful to share
Dr Graeme Allan, Macmillan GP and cancer clinical lead for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside in Sefton, said: “These events are ideal for people to come along and meet others who have had similar experiences – it is always useful to share.

“We hope that attendees come away from the event with an idea of what we can help you with. It’s a friendly and informative event and everyone is very welcome.”

Mary Macnab, urology nurse specialist at Southport Hospital, said: “We usually see over 100 people come along to the Macmillan health and wellbeing events, they are always a great success and the more people we can support the better.

“The people attending always enjoy meeting others they can chat to about their experiences, whether that be other patients, clinical nurse specialists or someone from a support group.

“Many people who attend the events have then gone on to join one of the support groups such as the walking, cycling or craft groups, which they feel is another good way to meet others and get out and about during or after treatment.”

Book a place
Anyone who would like to attend the Macmillan Health and Wellbeing Event can come along for free to Southport College’s Oasis Canteen from 2pm-4pm on Thursday 3 November. Attendees are asked to call the Southport Macmillan Centre on 01704 533024 to book a place so that everyone can be accommodated and catering can be provided.

The Southport Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre is a joint partnership between NHS Cheshire and Merseyside and Macmillan Cancer Support. The centre is based at 29 Wright Street in Southport, and offers regular drop-in sessions at the centre from 10am to 4pm Monday-Fridays.

For more information about the work of the Southport Macmillan Centre or to get in touch with the team visit: www.southportmacmillancentre.org.uk or call 01704 533024.