We do hope that you are doing well and you are managing to keep busy during this enforced social distancing and isolation period.  It is a really tough time for everyone as we are all used to socialising with our friends, family and work colleagues, so we just want to remind you all that it is ok to ask for help if you need it.  

Our monthly meetings in Winchester and Eastleigh (Chandlers Ford) have been cancelled for the time being, but we are looking at ways that we can all help to support each other during this time. There are a couple of local virtual groups available for you where you will find familiar names or faces from the Winchester & Eastleigh Cancer Support Group: –  

• join the Winchester & Eastleigh Cancer Support WhatsApp Group – just email us your telephone number to be added to this WhatsApp group. Please fill in our contact form.
• join our Zoom meetings on Tuesdays at 8pm for 40 minutes. Please fill in our contact form.
• join the “Breast Cancer Friends Hampshire UK” closed Facebook group which is run by Sandie Evans – many of the members are also members of the Winchester & Eastleigh Cancer Support Group.

Do also remember that although the local cancer support charities are closed to face to face visitors, they all have an online presence and some are doing online classes or sessions to help you deal with anxiety and to stay calm, eg. Mindfulness, Sound Bath, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). 

Look them up on Facebook and follow them, as well as looking at their websites – they will be more likely to have daily updates on their Facebook pages than on their websites.

Locally, we have the following charities who can offer you support:-

• Wessex Cancer Trust (various locations across the South)  https://www.wessexcancer.org.uk/
• Breast Cancer Haven Wessex (Titchfield) https://www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk/
• Jane Scarth House (Romsey) https://www.janescarthhouse.co.uk/
• The Pink Place (Basingstoke) http://www.thepinkplace.org.uk/

And, of course, Macmillan Cancer Support have a wealth of information on their website, aswell as a telephone support line.

For information, support or just someone to talk to, call 0808 808 00 00 – the support line is open 7 days a week 8am to 8pm and free to call.

Or visit their website at macmillan.org.uk where you will also find specific help and advice relating to the Coronavirus situation on matters such as Self-Isolation, Sheilding, Money Worries and Financial Support, Cancer Treatment during Lockdown, Looking after your Immune System – https://www.macmillan.org.uk/coronavirus

HHFT Information Point:-

There is a folder of Coronavirus resources suitable for staff, patients and the general public available on the HHFT website at https://www.hampshirehospitals.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/health-information-point-hip/useful-links

The resources include web links and publications. Some of the resources are in Easy Read, which are also available in a separate folder at https://www.hampshirehospitals.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/health-information-point-hip/information-patients-learning-disabilities/easy-read-information-leaflets

The folders are updated daily as and when new resources become available.

Benefits and Financial Support

For benefits advice & financial support, Macmillan are also partnering with Citizens Advice Bureau:

• phone Hampshire Macmillan CAB on 0344 847 7727 who are offering extended phone support between 9am-4pm Mondays to Fridays (not bank holidays).
• Patients can also email macmillan.cahampshire@cabnet.org.uk 

Clients will be able to speak to a case worker or referred / called back if the service is busy.

One Cancer Voice Charities

There is some useful advice for people living with cancer from the One Cancer Voice Charities. Its an amalgamation of advice from a number of charities, brought together in one place. Their advice document can be accessed on this link: https://mcusercontent.com/68b588bc5847cde662b4ac613/files/8db9f41b-81bd-4b3f-acee-be58024601c0/One_Cancer_Voice_advice_on_coronavirus_for_people_with_cancer_FINAL.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2gw8HcOZaOptC0jOKbQgy0WS02uS2sj505SEXMqhkQnjXAZxOKa2UgUG4

Local Neighbourhood support and updates

Sign up to your local nextdoor.co.uk which is a great way to keep up with news local to where you live – it is like the modern day version of neighbourhood watch.

There may also be a local Facebook group that you could join for your area, or even for our road.

Your GP’s Surgery website may have useful information regarding Doctors appointments, repeat prescriptions, or general health questions.

Be wary of Fake News spread via Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter

It is so easy to click and share fake news especially when one is convinced it would benefit family and friends. You could do a quick search on the internet with the word “fake” at the end. Try to get the right information from reputable websites.