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Local cancer charity, Clan Cancer Support is hosting a series of focus groups from November 24 to December 8 at Clan House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen to shape the future of their vital support services for 2022 and onwards. Clan are looking for anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis to get in touch and participate to evaluate what the service offering looks like beyond the coronavirus pandemic.

Clan are encouraging people to sign up to help the charity and highlight what services matter most to them in their area. 6 different focus groups will be held across the two-week period in November and December, all tailored to a specific aspect of Clan’s services.

Focus Group Fortnight sessions include:

  • Online Support
  • Emotional Support
  • Accommodation – Haven Support
  • Therapies Support
  • Practical Groups Support
  • Sign Posting/Life Beyond Clan

The public can sign up to as many of the focus groups as they wish. The two-hour sessions will be an open discussion based on own experience and guided by two Clan representatives. Tea, coffee and cake will be provided. Social distancing will be in place for all groups and ample parking is available.

Kay Johnston, Clan’s head of cancer support services, says: “The past 20 months have dramatically altered our service delivery, and we really want people who have been affected by a cancer diagnosis to help us understand what services matter most to them in their area. Client engagement is key to ensuring our offering is fit for purpose not just in terms of what we think is right to offer, but also what those who currently use, or choose to not use our services, think would appeal to their needs. Clan services are there for anyone affected by cancer, therefore it’s only right that people in the North-east have the chance to inform our future delivery.”

Kay continues: “The outcomes of these focus group will be published and used to support the design and development of 2022 -2023 offerings by Clan. The aim is to have diverse groups of individuals to be part of the focus groups so we can develop our services to meet the needs of different age groups and communities who have different connections to cancer. Everyone has a different experience and journey, especially those being affected by a cancer diagnosis which coincides with the COVID pandemic, so we are keen to hear from as many people as possible to hear what they want and need so that we can then tailor our services to meet those requirements. We will be sharing our outcomes and plan to publish the focus group findings; all responses will remain anonymous.“

As part of their current campaign, Power to Help, Clan are urging people to get involved in this latest initiative to ensure the services are driven by the clients and give them the knowledge that they have the power to help Clan and shape the cancer support services in their area.

For those unable to attend in person but who still want to be part of the process, there is the option to participate in an online survey.

Interested participants are required to pre-register online for the group/s they wish to be part of. To sign up and be part of Clan’s voice for the future and have your say, visit https://www.clancancersupport.org/news/focus-group-fortnight/ to find out more about each focus group and how to sign up.

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