A growing number of older people with cancer across Staffordshire will now receive additional support and information thanks to the success of the OPAAL-Macmillan advocacy pilot project, jointly funded by Macmillan and the Big Lottery Silver Dreams Programme.

The success of the pilot cancer advocacy service, delivered by the Beth Johnson Foundation covering Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire, has lead to the announcement of further investment from Macmillan to the Foundation of over £500,000 over the next 3 years to extend the pilot beyond the initial 18months and to increase the reach of the service to make it Staffordshire wide.

Advocates provide support around a wide variety of issues including treatment and care, social and financial difficulties, employment issues and providing a listening ear. One homeless client has been supported to secure accommodation with a social housing association, to obtain furniture from the local furniture mine; to have a DWP assessment and to apply for Personal Independent Payments. An advocate supported an elderly gentleman, with no relatives, to obtain information on Will making, organ donation, Lasting Power of Attorney and advanced decision making regarding his care. The advocate was able to be present during the appointment with the Solicitor to ensure that the client had all his wishes recorded.

Support for older people with cancer.

Local service (Staffordshire Moorlands, Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme).

For more information about the Staffordshire Peer Advocacy and Support Project please contact Kath Curley on 01782 844036 or visit www.bjf.org.uk
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just someone to talk to, call free, Monday to Friday 9am-8pm on 0808 808 00 00 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk

26/03/2014