Blood cancer charity opens free, zero wait counselling service
Linc Charity supports patients and their families, offering vital wellbeing services when they need it most
Linc Charity have launched a free counselling services for blood cancer patients in Gloucestershire.
The service offers counselling with a zero wait time and is a lifeline for patients and their families navigating a cancer diagnoses.
The service was officially opened by long time patrons of the charity Laurence and Jackie Llewellyn-Bowen. They have supported Linc for 20 years.
Laurence said, ''both of us were drawn to the sheer practicality of what Linc does. The fact that it is reaching out to people who have recently had a cancer diagnoses and saying this is something that if you are supported, we can help with.''
Lou Neal is the charity's CEO, at the opening she talked about what it means to be able to provide the counselling service.
''The two things we are most proud of is the fact we aim to have zero or very low wait times. One of the most important parts of accessing a counselling service is that its there when the patient or family member needs it.''
''We know that time is of the essence with a diagnoses, and even during and past the treatment. If someone needs help we want to be there.''
The counselling service is funded entirely on donations from the community. Linc estimates that is costs £800 for a person to access a 12 week course.
Lou talked about the many ways people from the local community can show there support for Linc. This includes donating to and buying from their charity shops in Cheltenham.
''We are so grateful for our volunteers, giving time is just as incredible as money. We've got loads of exciting opportunities coming up.''
Linc Charity offer counselling support to the families of blood cancer patients, recognising the strain it has on them.
Lou said, ''A lot of our patients told us, they're ok, they're on a clinical pathway, they know what the next step is. But, after a diagnoses, a family member can be waiting on the wings, drowning.''
She added, ''overwhelmingly our patients felt the family support is just as important as the support we give them.''
Emma was supported by by Linc after she was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia three years ago.
She said, ''I had to start treatment immediately which was really difficult to get our head around. I'd only been away from my kids for two or three days at a time.''
''It was really difficult time and getting into the right mental headpspace for that, Linc were amazing
''One of the nurses had said something really profound to me in the beginning, which was, even though you cant control how your body will react to the chemotherapy, what you can control is your own mindset.
Talking about the positive impact counselling from Linc Charity had on her, Emma said,
''I found that it really helped my mindset for the treatment, to have it at the outset, and I would have been lost without it.''
Linc charity also fund play therapy for children. Emma's daughter, who was six at the time of Emma's diagnoses, was supported through this service. Emma said the play therapy enabled her to process her emotions
She said, ''I think it really helped her and helped us a family.''
Emma attended the opening of Lincs new service with her son, she talked about what it meant to be there.
''It means the world to be here today. If id have known at the outset when I had a fairly poor prognosis that I could be be standing here 3 years later saying so far so good.''
''To be back at home with my family, its just amazing, thank you Linc.''
Linc charity are hoping to continue extending their wellbeing support for patients with blood cancer in Gloucestershire.
Find out more here: https://linccharity.org/