Skype To Link CLAN Shetland With Other Locations
A leading cancer support charity is offering clients the chance to link up with specialist support groups further afield thanks to kind donations.
CLAN Cancer Support recently took delivery of a smart TV which will allow people affected by cancer to virtually join support groups taking place at the charity’s Aberdeen base.
The charity’s Lerwick centre provides information, support to anyone affected by cancer by providing one-to-one support, complementary therapies, support groups and a dedicated Children & Families Service. However, the addition of this technology means clients will be able to access specialist support only available on the mainland.
The 40 inch television allows people attending CLAN’s base in Lerwick to access support, take part in specialist support groups and view presentations from guest speakers in Aberdeen.
This has been possible thanks to a generous donation from CLAN client Liz Kerr, who attends CLAN’s Myeloma support group in Shetland, and local business George Robertson Limited.
Iona Mitchell, CLAN Cancer Support’s Head of Cancer Support Services, has welcomed the donation.
She said: “One of CLAN’s key aims is to reduce the impact of a cancer diagnosis on people who live in remote or rural locations. Travelling to access information and support can be difficult both in terms of time and financial implications.
“By developing the technology we use, we can work to ensure that our specialist support services are as accessible as possible.
“Thanks to the kind donations from George Robertson Limited and Liz, our Shetland Myeloma support group has been able to link up with our support group in Aberdeen, which not only allows them to access peer support for what is a very specific cancer, but also benefit from specialist speakers which they would not otherwise be able to access.
“This is only the starting point for CLAN however. Our intention is to develop our use of technology across our community bases and work to really break down the barriers for those in rural locations and ensure support and information can be accessed as easily as possible.”
For further information, contact CLAN Cancer Support in Shetland on 01595 720 320 or email shetland@clanhouse.org
ENDS
Issued by CLAN Cancer Support. For further information please contact Susanne Shepherd on 01224 647 000 or email susanne.shepherd@clanhouse.org
NOTES TO EDITORS
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.
Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Buckie, Elgin, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Lossiemouth, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Turriff, Kirkwall and Lerwick.
For further information about CLAN Cancer Support please call (01224) 647 000 or visit www.clanhouse.org
PHOTO – Andrew Simpson, George Robertson Limited, and Alan Hall, CLAN Cancer Support Children and Families Support Worker, with CLAN Shetland’s new technology.
