Two projects to help cancer patients return to everyday life have been launched in Dumfries and Galloway.
The Move More and Regaining Wellbeing projects have been funded by Macmillan Cancer Support to reduce isolation and improve the support offered to people living with and beyond cancer in the region.
Macmillan invested £120,000 in Move More Dumfries and Galloway to help people diagnosed with cancer, together with their relatives and carers, get moving. The programme, which has been specifically designed for people affected by cancer, offers access to gentle movement classes, circuits or group walks.
Regaining Wellbeing, which is part of the Macmillan’s £5 million Transforming Care After Treatment programme, aims to provide ongoing support when cancer treatment ends and help people self-manage their conditions and general health.
It also helps people access community support and activities within their local area through the creation of new groups or by linking with established community projects to ensure the availability of a wide range of pursuits.
The projects, which have been developed in partnership with NHS Dumfries and Galloway and Dumfries and Galloway Council, were launched at an event in Dumfries on November 16th.
Janice Preston, Head of Macmillan Services for Scotland, said: “More people than ever before are surviving cancer in Scotland but many of them are left with long term problems as a result of their illness or treatment.
“While support is often available to those trying to live their lives as fully as possible after treatment, many people don’t know where to find it and so don’t always get the support they need to recover or cope.
“Both our Move More and TCAT projects aim to address these issues by signposting them to local services and helping them to get active in a bid to reduce the loneliness and isolation many people feel after a cancer diagnosis.”
Gary Small, Move More and TCAT Development Worker in Dumfries and Galloway, said: “The regaining wellbeing programme aims to continue cancer care when treatment ends for as long as the patient needs and wants it.
“This partnership, which includes Building Healthy Communities, NHS, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Paths for All and all Health and Social Care partners, will offer support and access to a wide range of community activities. Many patients can also be prepared and supported to self-manage their conditions and general health.”
Helen Mackintosh, Move More Development Officer, said: “When you’re living with or beyond cancer, physical activity can help you make a positive change to your life. Doctors used to advise people to rest as much as possible during and after cancer treatment, however, we now know that too much rest results in loss of muscle strength and leaves you with low energy levels.
“With this in mind Move More Dumfries and Galloway offers a free 12-session course of physical activity, tailored to suit the needs of individuals during and after cancer treatment, throughout the region.”
Chief Executive of NHS Dumfries and Galloway Jeff Ace, who is also the TCAT Programme Board Chair, said: “As cancer survival rates continue to improve, we need to be more effective in helping enable people to live full and active lives after their clinical treatment has been completed. Macmillan Cancer Support have been superb partners in this work both nationally and locally and it’s exciting to see these sorts of projects coming to fruition.”
Ronnie Nicholson, Leader of Dumfries & Galloway Council, said: “Unfortunately, most of us know a family member or friend who has had cancer and know that this terrible disease can knock their confidence as they come to terms with the consequences. Adjusting to the changes to health and lifestyle can really hit hard.
“That is why these projects are so important and we are committed to supporting individuals in our community at a time when they are at their most vulnerable.
“These projects will show that people affected by cancer, whether it be the individuals themselves, or their closest relative or carer, are not alone and can still have a good quality of life after treatment.
“It will be good to see these projects help build confidence, individual skills, resilience and self-esteem as well as encouraging more people affected by cancer to be involved in their communities through either attending the range of activities provided or volunteering.
“I am delighted that the council is supporting the delivery of these projects in Dumfries and Galloway along with NHS and Macmillan and do hope that people will take this great opportunity to engage with these projects.”
For more information about Regaining Wellbeing and Move More in Dumfries and Galloway, contact: Tel: 01387 246950 or email: [email protected]
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