A message from Head of Services, Nicky Robinson
It’s been almost a year since I last spoke with you all, and I am so proud of everything we have collectively managed to achieve together over these last 10 months.
In May, after our call-out for immediate emergency support, you all rallied round and raised over £50,000 for Penny Brohn UK. On behalf of the whole Services Team, I want to personally thank you. We get to see, first-hand, the true impact that you have on those living with cancer each and every day.
Even though we’re feeling more optimistic about our financial position, we still aren’t out of the woods yet. With little over a month until the end of our financial year, we’re already looking ahead to the next 12 months and beyond.
We’re doing everything we can to help people living with cancer each and every day. We are finding the balance between ensuring we can provide a core service for those living with cancer but, also, living up to the ambition that got us to where we are today. With that in mind, I’d like to introduce you to two new programmes that we would love to launch in the future, with your help.
Personal planning programme
The NHS has reported that a “personalised follow-up and support to help people live with and beyond cancer is one of the cornerstones in creating world-class cancer services.’ We have hopes to launch a new Personalised Planning Programme at Penny Brohn UK, which will offer further support and touchpoints to those living with cancer – helping them get the most out of our cancer services.
Our hope is that it will provide a package of personalised support for those living with cancer, with appointments at the beginning, during and following any support they received from Penny Brohn UK. This way, individuals will have a clear ‘plan of action’ that details which sessions would be of most use, resources that would be beneficial and useful signposting, based on their needs.
Specifically, the new personal planning programme will provide those with cancer with:
- An initial appointment with a personal planner who can provide a ‘listening ear’ of their experience to date, and put together a ‘plan of action’ for the individual about the services they might find of use.
- A check-in appointment with a personal planner to see how the individual is getting on with our services and action plan, to make any changes to the services they are accessing and touch base.
- A final appointment to ensure the individual using our service is aware of any further information that may be useful to them and provide signposting to other organisations that may be of use.
We believe this programme will have a significant impact on the lives of those living with cancer, helping them get the most out of our services and to support them to take control of their own health and wellbeing.
Pre-treatment cancer programme
Growing evidence shows that ‘prehabilitation’, or making positive lifestyle changes in preparation for cancer treatment can:
- Enhance recovery and treatment outcomes.
- Reduce hospital stays and post-treatment complications.
- Give patients a sense of control and empowerment.
- Improve cardiovascular fitness, nutritional status, mental health and overall quality of life.
Following a cancer support review, Macmillan now advise that prehabilitation should be incorporated into all cancer care pathways. In reality, this is an emerging area of healthcare and there is limited availability of support from NHS trusts and other service providers in the UK.
With our multi-disciplinary expertise across diet, physical activity, and psychological support, Penny Brohn UK is uniquely placed to support people across the UK to prepare well for cancer treatment.
We are excited about the possibility of launching a new pre-treatment support programme that will be available to any adult diagnosed with cancer and preparing for treatment. Growing evidence shows that pre-habilitation, or making positive lifestyle changes in preparation for cancer treatment, can enhance recovery and treatment outcomes.
Once patients start treatment, we can continue to support them with our existing programmes ensuring continuity of care.
It’s only with your regular support will we be able to drive forward with these ambitions mentioned above and continue to take Penny Brohn UK to further heights and build on the legacy that Penny Brohn herself left us when she founded the charity over 40 years ago.
Thank you again to those who have already given so generously, whether by committing to a regular gift or increasing your existing gift. Your long-term support will have an even bigger impact on those living with cancer now and long into the future.
For those who are yet to find the time – it’s not too late! Any donation you are able to give today could mean that everyone can receive the best personalised cancer care they need to feel more in control of their health and wellbeing.
It is dedication of people like you can we can continue making a positive difference to the lives of those living with cancer both now and into the future.
Thank you.
Nicky Robinson
Head of Services, Penny Brohn UK