Attia speaks with a cancer support group in Woking about The Coalition
Attia, our Outreach Officer, recently attended a cancer support group in Woking to chat with the community about The Coalition and our membership. Becoming a member of the Coalition includes access to a range of friendly virtual social events, campaigns and specialist interest groups.
Attia spoke with members of the group about support in Surrey and one lady spoke about how she regularly visits the local hospital for treatment. She drives to the hospital and attends alone as her family live far away. After treatment she can feel very weak and poorly for the days following, which can be challenge when it comes to day-to-day tasks as she lives alone. She had enquired about a carer and a blue badge to help with these challenges, however had told us that she had been informed that she was not eligible for either. This led us to do more research to see what support is out there in the local area for people living with cancer and to share some helpful information and links below:
- Maggie’s is a charity that provides care and support to people living with cancer. They have a helpful section on managing living alone during cancer treatment: Living alone and cancer | Maggie’s (maggies.org)
- Macmillan Cancer Support website includes a range of helpful information, including manging coming home from hospital: Going home from hospital | Macmillan Cancer Support
- Cancer Research have helpful information on their website about support available for people living with cancer: Support at home for you and your family | Cancer in general | Cancer Research UK
Another topic that came up during Attia’s visit to the support group was the cost of hospital parking and the challenges and expenses around traveling to the appointments.
Regularly travelling to the hospital can be expensive and Macmillan Cancer Support have useful information about transport and parking during treatment: Transport and parking | Macmillan Cancer Support. Also, it may be possible to access patient transport. More details are available on their website: Patient Transport Services in Surrey | Elderly Care Guide (agespace.org)
Attia also spoke with the group about The Coalition and our services, which includes a range of friendly free virtual social activities. We run a weekly book club, glee club, virtual café and our virtual quiz. You can join from the comfort of your home and meet new people at our virtual activities. To become a member and join our virtual groups please sign up on our website: Join us – Surrey Coalition of Disabled People