Issue - meetings

The Board welcomed Nicola Donoghue, Operations Manager for Halton Cancer Support Centre, who gave an overview about the Centre and the services offered in the Borough. 

The Centre provided therapeutic support for people who were affected by cancer.  They offered a professional, quality service with warmth and compassion, responding to the needs of local people. 

A total of 851 clients were currently registered at the Centre; 400 of those had a cancer diagnosis and the rest were a mix of carers and the bereaved.  The Centre offered a range of services to these clients such as: counselling, peer support (eg. men’s group); online support; therapies, respite breaks; a children and young people’s service; and workshops (eg. sleep, wellness).

It was noted that last year the Centre was core funded by the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership and Halton Borough Council.  The remainder of the Centre’s costs were covered by one off grants and from fundraising events, such as the Park Run.

It was announced that the Charity has supported the local community for 29 years and next May 2025 would be its 30^th Anniversary.

Additional information was given following Members questions:

·       The Centre did not have any joint projects with Halton Haven at the moment but they did refer clients to each other’s services at times;

·       The Centre’s running costs amounted to £133k last year;

·       Bereavement counselling helped reduce a persons need for other services, which takes pressure off them;

·       The Centre employed an outreach worker who visits hospitals and GP practices to raise awareness of the Centre;

·       Runcorn clients amounted to about 20% as they had the Delamere Centre at the Hospital;

·       Core funding for local charities was being cut and it was felt that they should be supported more than they were, for the benefit of local people;

·       The Centre was restricted to the size it currently is due to the accommodation; if they wanted to expand they would need another building;

·       The Centre owned a caravan in North Wales and this was available for hire by clients for respite care; and

·       The young people’s service was used by schools who referred children who had parents with a cancer diagnosis (with parents’ consent).

Referring to the accommodation issue, it was suggested by one Member that the Council’s voided properties could be looked at, to see if any were suitable for the use of the Cancer Support Centre in the future.  This would be looked into.

RESOLVED:  That the presentation and comments made be noted.