Big C launches unique family support programme

A cancer diagnosis can be very hard to explain to a child. Whether it is the child going through treatment, a sibling or the parents themselves. Big C has therefore launched a groundbreaking new programme of holistic care and support to offer children with a cancer diagnosis and their families.

Working in collaboration with the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), the local cancer charity has developed a support package, which can be accessed by anyone in the region. Whether the child is receiving treatment at NNUH, Addenbrookes or further afield, or they are affected by a family member going through a diagnosis, a new dedicated family support team is on hand to offer guidance and work with the family in whatever way is needed, including psychological support, counselling and play therapy. This complements the Teen and Young Adult (TYA) Group, which already enables young people affected by cancer to gain peer, emotional and practical support.

Thanks to the generous support of the Ladies in League Against Cancer (LILAC), a voluntary fundraising group which raises funds to support the work of Big C, a newly adapted area has been created at the Big C Centre in the grounds of the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital. Offering a calm, child friendly space with sensory lighting, bean bags, a play station, toys, games, arts and crafts, it is an area for families to enjoy, away from the hospital environment in between treatment and appointments.

LILAC have also funded the role of an educational psychologist which is vital in helping children cope and in ensuring positive long-term adjustment to a cancer diagnosis. The educational psychologist has the expertise in engaging in holistic assessments of children and young people, creating a detailed profile of their strengths and needs both in terms of their learning and cognitive abilities as well as their emotional wellbeing.

Dr Melanie Pascale, director of charitable operations at Big C said “We are absolutely delighted to be able to offer this unique service to families in Norfolk and surrounding counties. Cancer affects not just the patient, but the entire family, and through this new initiative at Big C, with the assistance and expertise of a dedicated educational psychologist, we will be able to offer emotional and practical support, to help navigate that difficult path.”

NNUH consultant Jo Ponnampalam said “The Paediatric Oncology team at the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital are delighted to hear that Big C Cancer Charity has extended its services to children with a cancer diagnosis and their families/carers. The family support programme will offer a great opportunity to further enhance the holistic support these children and families currently receive. They will be able to access other therapies like reflexology, massage etc that are currently not offered by the NHS; The Big C building offers a comfortable space away from where they receive their treatments, within the grounds of the hospital thereby making it convenient for children/families to visit as it is only steps away. We look forward to working with the Big C team to continue to provide a high-quality holistic service to our patient population.”

Sammy Adcock and her family are most complimentary about the new service now available to them “I am so grateful for this space that has opened at Big C, Norwich. The family support room is so welcoming with a variety of activities for children of all ages to be engaged with. This enabled me to have a lovely open conversation with support worker Emma without having to worry about the children. The ambience is so calming. Every aspect has been so well planned, from the complementing colours to the sound of the water feature coming through from the garden. It’s amazing and I can’t wait to come back!”

Service user, Ali Howell said “It’s been three years since my diagnosis, and Big C has been an incredible support for myself and my family. I’ve benefited from complementary therapy and counselling services, as well as access to a nurse for advice and to ask questions. This new family support service is so very needed in the county. The impact of a diagnosis has a profound impact on the whole family, and especially the children. The new service will provide a much-needed space for the children to gain the additional emotional support and processing space they need, as well as being a bridge to support their schools. And a place for families to be held and to access the support they need to navigate life with a cancer diagnosis.”

Surge in Demand for Support as Major Cancer Centre Launches in Norwich

Big C is reporting a sharp surge in demand for their services. Year on year* Big C has seen an overall increase of 79% in total support sessions from 4904 to 8782. In addition, a rise of 120% in Support and Information sessions and an increase of 51% in complementary therapy treatments provided by the organisation.

This news has been announced as the Norfolk based charity opens the doors of its new state-of-the-art Cancer Support Centre in Dereham Road, Norwich. The new centre has been designed by Norwich architects, Purcell.

Dr Melanie Pascale, Director of Charitable Operations said, “In line with the NHS long term plan, we know that treating cancer with a holistic approach leads to the best outcomes.** We are delighted that so many more people affected by cancer are accessing our support which includes a raft of services to ease some of the worries, anxieties and practical concerns that may present alongside a cancer diagnosis. This includes the opportunity to visit the centre and talk in confidence to our team of nurses and skilled support officers, to access professional counselling and complementary therapies, nutrition and exercise programmes, group sessions and assistance with financial and welfare concerns in partnership with the CAB.

“Our purpose is to ensure we can meet this demand and we are beyond proud to announce the opening of our Norwich City Cancer Support Centre, which thanks to a hugely successful public appeal, raised £750,000 to build, furnish and equip the centre. This new centre will complement our existing centre in the grounds of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.”

Norfolk has the most elderly population of UK counties, with a disproportionate older demographic of 24.4% and a projection suggesting an increase to 30% over the next 20 years.*** and therefore as cancer is predominantly a disease of age, the county will see a higher incidence. Big C has worked hard to expand the scope of its support and to raise awareness of the breadth of help, which is completely free of charge, available for cancer patients and their families in Norfolk and neighbouring counties. In the past couple of years alone this has included the introduction of a Nourish & Nurture nutrition and wellness programme, palliative care support group, the HILL bereavement programme and walking football sessions.

Dr Chris Bushby, CEO of Big C Cancer Charity, said, “The level of holistic care provided by Big C is sadly still rare in regions across the UK. We are so very fortunate that David Moar MBE and Clive Bamford founded Big C in 1980 and through strong leadership and loyal support from our amazing individual and corporate donors, grants and trusts, we’ve been able to grow into the large regional charity it is today.

“Today is a celebration of that, the culmination of an enormous amount of planning, work and tenacity! But look at the result, this Cancer Support Centre is at the forefront of best practice in cancer care. It’s a bright, highly functional, welcoming space which will provide respite, comfort, counsel and a space to solve problems and ‘wrap the arms’ around those that need us.”

The new centre features a light, calming central lounge area with comfortable seating and reflective artworks, an open-plan workshop kitchen, private rooms for one-to-one counselling, complementary therapy treatment rooms, The Big C Studio; a bright space for group activities and exercise classes, an intimate alcove library and a sensory wellbeing garden.

Big C was thrilled to be gifted a virtual tour of the new Support Centre, to allow people to familiarise themselves with the environment before visiting for the first time. The 360 tour was created by the innovative team at immersive media specialists, Vortex Visual.

Max and Will, co-founders of Vortex said “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to support such an important charity. We’re all affected by cancer in different ways, and to know that there’s a centre right here in the heart of Norwich for people to pop into, as and when they need support, is amazing. We hope the virtual tour enables people orient themselves with this beautiful centre before they attend, whether they have cancer themselves, or they’re a family member, friend or supporter of Big C.”

To access Big C’s support at the new Norwich City Cancer Support Centre, simply drop-in 9am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) or call our Support Line on 0800 092 7640 to make an appointment. The new centre is situated at 66-70 Dereham Road, Norwich, NR2 4BU.

*Qtr 1 2022 to 2023

** The NHS Long Term Plan for Cancer states that “where appropriate every person diagnosed with cancer will have access to personalised care, including a needs assessment, a care plan and health and wellbeing information and support

*** Source ONS Census 2021