Supporting Family and Loved Ones
We understand the impact of cancer extends beyond the person with the diagnosis. That’s why Clan Cancer Support’s services are available to both people with cancer and their loved ones.
Your local Clan centre can help provide confidential support to whoever you are supporting, whilst also providing emotional and physical support to you. You can choose to access these services with the person you are supporting, or you can come on your own.
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.
Need someone to talk to about a loved one’s cancer diagnosis? 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.
Is your loved one undergoing treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary? Clan’s accommodation service is available for treatment patients at ARI, as well as their family and loved ones. We provide a safe, supportive and comfortable place to stay for anyone who needs to be there.
03.
Clan’s complementary therapies include massage therapy, aromatherapy, reflexology and more. They are for anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis. They align with the credible therapies provided by the NHS, ensuring a continuation of care in the community for those affected by cancer..
04.
Know a young person who is navigating a cancer diagnosis for themselves or dealing with the diagnosis of a loved one? Our Children and Family Services (CFS) team is trained to deliver age-appropriate support to empower them to build resilience and adopt healthy habits when facing change and loss.
05.
Looking for a safe space among people who understand the challenges of cancer, first-hand? Clan’s Support Groups offer opportunities for those affected by cancer to meet others in a discreet and welcoming environment — supportive and welcoming gatherings for those navigating a cancer diagnosis and their loved ones.
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 as a supporter of someone with a cancer diagnosis, we’ll arrange access for you to use these services, free of charge. These are available to you 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 positive impact. 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 loved one’s cancer diagnosis can mean long term changes for you and those in your life. We always support our clients to move on from our services when they are no longer required, however should circumstances change you are welcome to access our support once again.
Anyone can access Clan’s services by completing a referral form. 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.
Yes, this is a fully confidential service. Our team will work to coordinate appointments and calls based on your individual circumstances. We can also provide telephone and digital support if you do not want to come to your local Clan centre.
All our sessions are highly confidential, however if our staff become aware of a safeguarding concern we have a duty of care to highlight this to the relevant authorities as outlined in local child and adult protection policies and procedures.
Yes. We know that cancer impacts more than just the person with the diagnosis.
Anyone with a cancer diagnosis can access our services, along with their immediate family and loved ones including relatives, friends and colleagues.
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 a diagnosis, whether it is their own or a loved one.
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.
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.
