New cancer support centre opens in Bellshill

Macmillan Head of Services Scotland, Janice Preston opens the new unit at Bellshill Cultural Centre.

This follows the opening of the new Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service in Bellshill Library and Cultural Centre last week.

Macmillan Cancer Support is working in partnership with CultureNL to provide much needed support services for people affected by cancer in libraries throughout North Lanarkshire. Bellshill Library is the first drop in service to open in North Lanarkshire with Coatbridge to open later this year.

The service will be run by a group of highly trained volunteers, who can provide emotional and practical advice, access to information materials on various types of cancer and its treatment, or simply a listening ear.

As well as specialist cancer information and emotional support, the service can refer people onto other services, including benefits advice, complementary therapies and counselling.

Five Macmillan Cancer Information Points will also been introduced in libraries across North Lanarkshire, to allow people to pick up information on specific cancers, living with all aspects of cancer, as well as signposting to the nearest Macmillan drop in centre.

Macmillan’s Head of Services in Scotland, Janice Preston, said: “A cancer diagnosis brings with it all kinds of questions and uncertainty for patients, their families and friends. It affects every area of people’s lives and having access to information and emotional support at this stressful time is vital. Being able to access services locally is also important, working with CultureNL is allowing us to deliver this and without partnerships like this we wouldn’t be able to provide this much needed support to people affected by cancer locally.

“It is also thanks to the hard work and dedication of our supporters in Lanrkshire who raise so much money for us that we are able to introduce such vital services and we’re incredibly grateful for their continued support.”

Macmillan Cancer Support is investing £800,000 to develop a range of services across North and South Lanarkshire to ensure people affected by cancer have the support they need locally.

To find out more contact the Macmillan Library Coordinator on 01698 332604 or email the team on: [email protected]