Gloucestershire charity expands services with new counselling offering
Plans aim to provide comprehensive emotional support for patients and their families
Linc, a Gloucestershire-based charity, has announced new initiatives designed to provide holistic support for patients with blood cancer and their families.
The recent launch event, attended by over 100 people in Gloucester, unveiled Linc’s five-year strategic plan focused on expanding their services.
The centerpiece of this expansion is the launch of a counselling service, set to roll out next month, offering six months of free face-to-face counselling for patients and families.
Linc has historically funded psychological support through the NHS trust, but the new service aims to establish a dedicated facility within the charity itself, working closely with the trust to ensure it meets patients' needs.
Louise Neal, CEO of the charity, described the launch as part of a proactive approach to cater to the emotional needs of not just patients but also their families.
Feedback from focus groups indicated a strong demand for tailored services that extend beyond clinical treatment.
“There's an amazing quote from somebody in our patient focus group and he said to me, Lou, I'm ok, which got me really, because I thought he didn't look ok.
“He's very seriously ill, but he said I'm ok but my wife is over here drowning.
“And that for me is kind of all we needed to hear because it's so important.
“If we make sure that the families are looked after, they can then in turn look after the patients as well.
“So it's kind of this really important cycle.” Said Louise.
In addition to counselling, Linc plans to enhance its emotional support offerings through peer support groups.
These may include friendship cafés, cold water swimming, cooking classes for chemotherapy patients, and walking groups, all rooted in shared experiences and aimed at fostering community connections.
The charity is also looking at introducing a transport service to alleviate logistical barriers to accessing treatment.
Nikki Tandy has been using Linc’s services since her recent Lymphoma diagnosis, she told Greatest Hits Radio Just how beneficial they’ve been: “It's just a massive relief.
“Initially I was able to access the link fund to help with childcare costs so that I could attend radiotherapy every day during the school holidays.
“The relief that I could do that knowing my 5 year old son was being cared for and my husband could still then work was just massive.
“We both, my husband and I, have also been really fortunate and been able to access the clinical psychology team.
“To be able to accept what is normal and be able to talk about it, but in a safe space away from your loved ones so that you don't feel like you're burdening them.
“They give you such helpful talks to guide you through the what ifs and what is and what isn't going to be or to live in the present and that is really, really important and both of us feel that it made a massive difference.”
Linc Charity operates independently, relying on donations and revenue from their local charity shops located in Cheltenham.