The Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre
Macmillan Cancer Support is developing an innovative Information and Support Centre for people affected by cancer across Sussex. Especially designed by experts and drawing on the experiences of people affected by cancer, the centre will provide a holistic service in a calm, non-clinical environment, every step of the way.
The Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre is a partnership between Macmillan, Sussex Cancer Fund and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust. It will be located on the site of Rosaz House at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, opposite the existing Sussex Cancer Centre. Macmillan submitted a planning application for the centre at the end of July 2011 and expects that the planning process will take between 8-14 weeks.
The centre will offer: specialist information advice and quality resources; welfare benefits advice; counselling services; complementary therapies; a hair and wig service, a café and dietary advice; plus a venue for self help and support groups.
People affected by cancer – including include patients, family, carers and friends – will be able to visit the centre at any stage of their cancer journey and find the support they need, when they need it, for free.
Why information and support?
Being told that you or someone you love has cancer can leave you feeling shocked, upset and isolated. It may be that you or your family need answers, reassurance, someone to listen or simply help with the practical things that matter to you, every step of the way.
News update 12 October 2011
We’re delighted to let you know that the Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre project has reached an significant milestone today. Our application for planning permission to build the centre was approved by Brighton & Hove City Council this afternoon. The Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre is a partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support, Sussex Cancer Fund and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.
This marks the next exciting step in making the centre a reality – it will be the first of its kind in Sussex to offer all round support for people affected by cancer in a calm, friendly and welcoming environment, as well as being a base for outreach services for people living with the disease across the county.
Please share this fantastic news with your friends and contacts, and if they would like to help Macmillan raise the £3.7m we need for the centre, put them in touch with us on 01273 746601 or eastsussex@macmillan.org.uk. Thanks to your support we’re well on track with our fundraising appeal – but there’s still a long way to go!
Support our fundraising appeal
Macmillan Cancer Support is building an innovative information and support centre for cancer patients and their family, friends and carers across Sussex. Can you help us raise £3.7m?
Every year 7,000 people in Sussex are told they have cancer, yet 1,400 of them are left with little or no information about the illness they are facing, or the options available to them.
Being told that you or someone you love has cancer can leave you feeling shocked, upset and isolated. It may be you need answers, reassurance or simply help with the things that matter to you.
Working in partnership with Sussex Cancer Fund and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, we will build The Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre, a separate building situated close to the Sussex Cancer Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.
Please call 01273 746601 or email eastsussex@macmillan.org.uk to get involved and visit www.macmillan.org.uk/sussex
My story...
Heidi Ivinson, cancer patient, says: “Cancer hit my family like a thunderbolt, when I was diagnosed with a rare tumour I was devastated. With support from Macmillan everything changed – my 10 year old son had counselling to help him cope and I got a grant to help with the cost of travel to hospital. No one prepares you for the emotional impact of cancer and the biggest support was being able to talk to someone about how I felt.”
Get in touch
If you would like more information or to get involved in the development of the Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre service, please contact Geoff Brown, Project Implementation Manager, Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre on gbrown@macmillan.org.uk or tel 07703672773.
If you would like to make a donation or take part in a fundraising activity for the Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre appeal, please contact our Sussex Fundraising Team on eastsussex@macmillan.org.uk or 01273 746 601.
