CLAN Orkney Celebrates 10 Years of Support With Open Day
CLAN Cancer Support has two reasons to celebrate this month. The charity is not only celebrating its 35th birthday, it is also marking 10 years of cancer support in Orkney.
To celebrate this landmark birthday, the charity will open the doors of its Kirkwall wellbeing and support centre on Sunday, September 30, between 12.00pm – 4.00pm.
The event will give members of the public the opportunity to visit the centre, find out more about the charity’s continued work in the community and meet members of the team behind the scenes.
CLAN, which started life as a single support group in Aberdeen in 1983, first came to Orkney in 2008 providing support three hours a week within the St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall.
As the need for CLAN’s services grew and volunteers were recruited, the charity developed its services increasing to one full day a week, before growing to three days and then providing support services five days a week. Since then the organisation hasn’t looked back.
Since moving to the charity’s current home at 30 Victoria Street, Kirkwall in 2009, CLAN has developed its confidential support service to include a range of complementary therapies, counselling and specialist support for children, young people and their families affected by a cancer diagnosis.
This has included services tailored to the needs of both men and women.
Along with a twice-monthly Women’s Group, which welcomes women who have, or have had a cancer diagnosis, the charity also hosts ‘Look Good, Feel Better’ make up workshops which take ladies through a skin care and makeup regime which helps clients deal with the visible and often psychological side effects of treatment.
A Men’s Group is also held on the last Saturday of each month and is open to any men who have been affected by cancer, whether through a personal diagnosis or through a family member of friend.
The charity also has a shop adjacent to the centre which provides vital funds to ensure the continued development of CLAN’s services.
Karen Scott, CLAN Cancer Supports Services Area Manager, is proud to be able to celebrate CLAN Orkney’s birthday with volunteers and members of the community who have played a crucial role in the charity’s development.
She said: “The story of CLAN’s growth in Orkney has been driven by the needs of the local community.
“As awareness of CLAN’s services grew we used feedback from our clients to shape what services were introduced in Kirkwall. Some mirror what is offered in other CLAN centres on the mainland, others are unique to Orkney and the support our clients require.
“CLAN really does have a special place in the heart of the communities of Orkney, whether it is through the support they receive at CLAN House in Aberdeen when staying there during treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary or attending CLAN Orkney for our regular support groups or therapies.
“However, none of this would be possible without the support of our many volunteers who man the shop, attend events to raise awareness and funds or welcome people dropping into our wellbeing and support centre. Our volunteers are what makes CLAN Orkney special.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to be involved in the growth and development of CLAN in Orkney and I look forward to seeing what the next chapter holds for us.”
CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfort, support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness.
Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Buckie, Crimond, Elgin, Forres, Inverurie, Lossiemouth, Turriff, Kirkwall and Lerwick.
