CLAN Cancer Support

CLAN has set up a dedicated telephone support service to provide continued emotional and practical support during the coronavirus pandemic.

CLAN Cancer Support, which has recently temporarily closed its centres across the north-east to protect vulnerable clients, is providing telephone-based support for anyone affected by cancer.

CLAN provides person-centred, community-based, professional cancer support services free of charge to anyone impacted by cancer and their families and friends, throughout the north-east, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.

Staff and volunteers at each of CLAN’s bases are now available on local telephone numbers to talk to anyone affected by cancer, whether they themselves have a cancer diagnosis or they are concerned about a relative or friend.

Telephones are manned in Aberdeen, Banchory, Crimond, Elgin, Inverurie, Kirkwall and Lerwick with support teams able to provide emotional support, professional counselling services over the phone and will be signposting to relevant available services.

CLAN’s head of services, Iona Mitchell, said: “We recognise the importance of maintaining our vital support services in the community during what is a very difficult time for all. Over the coming days and weeks we will be working hard to ensure that support is available to existing and new clients throughout the North East of Scotland. The need for cancer support does not go away despite the pandemic, and in fact anyone affected by cancer may have an increased need for the support, reassurance and connection that our expert team can and will continue to provide throughout this period of uncertainty and change.

“Since we started the telephone support service on Monday, The team have been making contact with all current clients and people have been extremely grateful for the support we can offer. The comfort and reassurance of a friendly and known voice and assurance that we will be here for all throughout this time has come as a great relief to our clients. We are working hard to make additional information and resources available through our website and social media channels to expand our ability to reach those who would normally visit our centres across the north-east.

“Everyone at CLAN is committed to supporting our clients, staff and volunteers and we will do everything we can to continue to provide our vital services in these difficult times.”

Although CLAN’s support centres are temporarily closed, CLAN Haven, the charity’s bed and breakfast facility in Aberdeen for those attending cancer treatments, remains fully open. CLAN Moray are also continuing to provide transport for clients accessing treatment at ARI during this time, a service that is vitally important to clients living in remote and rural areas who are reliant on public transport to attend hospital appointments.

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, Buckie, Inverurie, Lossiemouth, Turriff, Kirkwall and Lerwick.

For more information about CLAN Cancer Support, please call (01224) 647 000 or visit: www.clanhouse.org