Supporting People with Cancer
If you are currently going through cancer treatment, you’ve come to the right place. Many people across North East Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland connect with their local Clan Centre during treatment, seeking support alongside their ongoing medical care.
We understand this can be an emotional and often overwhelming time and we are here to support you and your loved ones. Clan Cancer Support’s trained staff and dedicated volunteers provide confidential and compassionate support tailored to your individual needs, while delivering a range of physical and emotional support services to help you stay as strong as possible before, during and after treatment.
Clan is a trusted NHS partner which excels in providing the emotional and physical support to cancer patients which can’t be offered within the confines of hospital wards.
Clan provides free physical and emotional support for people of all ages and with all types of cancers from our network of wellbeing centres across North East Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.
01.
Sometimes it can be difficult to share things with those closest to us. At Clan, we can give you time and space to talk to someone who understands your feelings. You do not need to make an appointment, support is available at all of our centres from trained staff and support volunteers.
02.
From massage to aromatherapy, Clan’s complementary therapies align with the credible therapies provided by the NHS, ensuring a continuation of care in the community for both those with cancer undergoing conventional treatment and anyone else who has been impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
03.
Our Children and Family Services (CFS) team is trained to deliver age-appropriate support to empower young people to build resilience and adopt healthy habits when facing change and loss — whether they’re navigating a cancer diagnosis for themselves or dealing with the diagnosis of a loved one.
04.
Undergoing cancer treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and need somewhere to stay close-by? Clan’s accommodation service is available for you, your family and loved ones. We provide a safe, supportive and comfortable place to stay, simplifying hospital travel during what can be a challenging time.
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Whether it’s getting out and active with our walking group or supportive discussions with people who are or have faced a diagnosis like yours, Clan’s Support Groups offer opportunities for those affected by cancer to meet others in a discreet and welcoming environment.
To access support and services from Clan, follow the link and complete our new client form or visit your local Clan centre.
Need more information? Contact us via phone or email:
01224 647 000
Email Clan
Looking for a simple outline of what to expect? Here’s a quick guide to the usual steps in the process of receiving support from Clan Cancer Support.
Step 1:
Referral to Clan
Anyone can access Clan’s services by completing a referral form online or in person at a Clan centre. You can do this for yourself or for someone in your family. This process can also be completed by a professional such as a doctor, teacher or social worker. We offer a range of options on contact preferences, meaning your confidentiality is fully respected throughout the process.
Step 2:
Your Introduction to Clan
A Clan team member will contact you to arrange an initial consultation. At this stage, our team will provide more information about the services we believe could best support you and your loved ones throughout your cancer journey.
Step 3:
Access Support Services
After we’ve identified which services would suit you best, we’ll arrange access for you to use these services, free of charge. These are available to you and your loved ones for as long as you need them.
Step 4:
Review
We will regularly review the impact of the services you’re using, based on your initial consultation. This helps us clearly identify if Clan’s services are meeting your needs and if you’re seeing an improvement or progression. At this stage, we will mutually decide if more sessions are the right course of action.
Step 5:
Evaluate
We’ll reflect back on the progress made and ask you to complete a simple evaluation form. As a self-funded charity this evaluation is crucial for us — demonstrating to our funders the impact of our services and ensuring we continually deliver excellence to our clients.
Step 6:
We’re Here For You
We understand that a cancer diagnosis can mean long term changes for you and your loved ones. We always support our clients to move on from our services when they are no longer required, however should your cancer return or if circumstances change you are welcome to access our support once again.
Anyone can access Clan’s services by completing a referral form online or at your local Clan centre. You can do this for yourself or for someone in your family who would like to access our services. This process can also be completed by a professional such as a doctor, teachers or social worker. Digital and telephone support is also available for those who are unable to attend in person.
We support people from the age of four years old. Young people aged from four to 18 will have the support of our professionally trained Children and Families service. This team specialises in age appropriate support for young people impacted by their own diagnosis, or that of a loved one.
For accessing complementary therapies and our physical health and wellbeing service, we ask to check with your doctor or consultant that they’re happy for you to access these services.
Clan is not a medical centre and our staff and volunteers do not offer any medical advice. We specialise in providing emotional and physical support to anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis. We are a trusted NHS partner and all our services are aligned to complement medical pathways.
Anyone with a cancer diagnosis can access our services, along with their immediate family and loved ones including relatives, friends and colleagues. This is because we know that cancer impacts more than just the person with the diagnosis.
Clan has very strict policies for staff and volunteers to reduce the risk of infection. To ensure the safety of our guests and clients we follow NHS guidance regarding localised outbreaks and will advise staff and volunteers to wear face masks and take extra precautions to reduce the risk of transmission if required. Our accommodation and wellbeing centres are cleaned daily to ensure the highest levels of sanitation.
Yes. Many people choose to access support from more than one organisation. Clan works closely with other cancer charities and our team can help you find additional services that may benefit you.
You’re welcome to use support from different organisations. However, we usually advise having counselling with only one service at a time, as multiple counselling services can sometimes be overwhelming.
All of Clan’s services are free, with the exception of our accommodation which costs from £60 per night (based on single occupancy). Depending on your location, you may be entitled to access funding to support the cost of your stay from your local NHS Board.
These are the first hand-experiences of real people supported by Clan. If you’re feeling isolated or unsure, take a moment to watch and remember: you’re not alone.
