A leading North-east cancer support charity has extended its service provision in Lossiemouth after a successful pilot.
CLAN Cancer Support has provided a free support and information service from the town’s Moray Coast Medical Practice since March, with two support volunteers available for both appointments and drop-ins every Thursday from 1pm to 4pm.
After the initial pilot of three months passed, the service has continued to establish itself throughout the last six months, allowing local people to receive support without having to travel further afield.
CLAN’s volunteers within the practice also work closely with the centre’s medical staff, ensuring that those affected by cancer within Lossiemouth and the surrounding area have access to the range of free services that are on offer.
The expansion into Lossiemouth follows the success of the charity’s support and wellbeing centre in Elgin which was established in 2013 and offers a variety of complementary therapies, social and wellbeing activities, a monthly men’s group as well as a dedicated children and family support service. It operates from its premises at 227 High Street five days a week.
Tracy Sellar, CLAN’s Moray area co-ordinator, said: “For the last two years, CLAN’s focus in Moray has been on raising awareness of the work and support the charity provides and our presence in Lossiemouth has been established on the back of how well our support and wellbeing centre within Elgin has grown.
“The Lossiemouth pilot within the Moray Coast Medical Practice was initially planned for three months but we’re delighted that we’re now entering our seventh month within the centre. We’ll continue to monitor uptake over the next few months but the initial feedback on the service from people within Lossiemouth and the surrounding area has been extremely positive.
“We have a strong partnership with the medical staff within the practice; one that I believe is ultimately to the benefit of those affected by cancer within the town and nearby local villages. We look forward to continuing to work with the team moving forward as we aim to enhance our cancer support provision within the region.”
Alison Frankland, practice manager at Moray Coast Medical Practice, said: “Having CLAN based in the building is a fantastic local resource for the practice population and their families and feedback about the service has been great.”
CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfort support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness.
Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Elgin, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Turriff, Kirkwall and Lerwick.
For further information about CLAN Cancer Support in Moray please call (01343) 544132 or visit www.clanhouse.org