Macmillan

Macmillan information and support

The Macmillan information and support service has been developed as a joint venture between Macmillan Cancer Support and University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

When you are affected by cancer, it is essential that you can get the information you need, at the time you need it.

We are here to help you access the information and support you need, whether you

• require information about cancer
• have a cancer diagnosis
• are living with and beyond cancer
• are looking to reduce the risks of cancer
• are a carer, relative, or friend of someone with cancer or
• are a healthcare professional.

Help available

Staffed by a Macmillan information and support specialist and trained volunteers, our service is able to provide:

• emotional support and the opportunity to talk to someone in a private, comfortable, quiet room
• the opportunity to discuss cancer treatments, side effects and other related issues
• advice about returning to work
• literature on all aspects of living with cancer
• internet access to guide people to appropriate information resources
• over-the-phone information and support for those not able to access the service in person
• complementary therapies
• support groups for younger people and for people with incurable cancers
• lung cancer and gynaecological cancer support groups
• walking and low-impact exercise groups

We also offer:

• links to the clinical teams treating certain cancers
• links to local and national support services
• links to counselling services
• links to the Penny Brohn ‘Living Well’ course
• signposting to self-help and support groups
• liaison with other voluntary and statutory agencies
• access to dedicated benefits advice services
• cancer awareness educational notice boards

We offer a confidential drop-in service based in the Fernhurst Centre at St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester, but can also be accessed by Worthing Hospital patients and healthcare professionals across West Sussex.

Macmillan support worker

Macmillan cancer support are available to our patients for advice and assistance. A Macmillan support worker will be your first point of contact when you call us. We will ensure the relevant CNS is aware of your needs and has everything necessary to be able to help and support you.

We also play an important role in carrying out holistic needs assessments, which are undertaken to make sure that we understand your non-medical needs and are able to meet them throughout their time in our care.

Our support workers can also help you access any additional information or assistance you need and, often most importantly, provide an ear to listen to any concerns or worries you may have.

Macmillan Horizon Centre

The Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton is a partnership between the hospital trust, MacMillan cancer support and the Sussex cancer fund.

We offer face-to-face appointments with trained therapists for complementary therapies, including:

• acupuncture (currently limited availability)
• aromatherapy
• craniosacral therapy
• facial
• Indian head massage
• massage
• reflexology
• reiki

Visit our information lounge where you can speak to one of our team in order to access information about services offered both at the Macmillan Horizon Centre and in the community, or just to have a chat. 

Contact our team at the Macmillan Horizon Centre for Information and support services, including counselling, complementary therapies and welfare benefits advice.

Macmillan focus group

The community team at Macmillan are currently looking for participants for a focus group around the LGBTIQ+  forum on Macmillan’s online community. They wish to explore how we they can increase engagement in this group, and make this group a more helpful space for LGBT+ people affected by cancer. It’s an opportunity for participants to provide valuable feedback on both the LGBTIQ+ forum and the online community as a whole, and make a real impact on our online support for LGBT+ people affected by cancer.

The focus group will have 3 sessions, which will each be approximately 1.5 hours long. Participants will be required to complete a questionnaire prior to attending the sessions. This  questionnaire will help us to consolidate the discussion topics for sessions, and will be anonymous. We are looking for participants who identify as LGBTIQ+ and are aged over 18 to take part.

If you know anyone who would like to take part, please contact the community team for a participation form.