Deborah McGarrity, Age UK Northumberland’s advocate tells us about a busy first six months in their new Cancer, Older People and Advocacy Project:
Age UK Northumberland has just passed the 6 month milestone; we joined the programme in April this year. As a team we have been actively promoting the project and the excellent service it provides for people affected by cancer. Here are a few of our highlights:
Just last month we joined Macmillan on Beryl the Macmillan bus when she came to Newcastle and Cramlington. This was an excellent opportunity to work with the Macmillan team and also to promote the project, over 300 people visited the bus when it was parked in Northumberland Street, Newcastle.
Beryl, the Macmillan Bus
We have attended numerous ‘Winter Warmer’ events throughout Northumberland, spoken to staff in oncology day units, social services, CAB, U3A, at a GP Conference, Nurse Forums, Carers Northumberland, care homes, hospices, cancer support groups, had a full page article in the local press, the list goes on. We have recruited and trained some fantastic volunteers.
Slowly the service is beginning to get known throughout the vast county that is Northumberland and we are trying to be creative in how we promote the service, it can be hard and referrals are slow, but the value of the project keeps us going and enthusiastic! At the moment we are trying to arrange an official ‘launch’ so watch this space..
Deborah McGarrity, Age UK Northumberland
Older People Living with Cancer 