The Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service (MCISS) at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (UHMBT) NHS Foundation Trust is a friendly team who offer high quality information, emotional support and practical advice to people affected by cancer. If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer then the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service is here to help. As a non-nursing service we work alongside the Cancer Teams providing support for the people of North Lancashire and South Cumbria.
We welcome enquiries and aim to provide access for service users to accurate information and empathetic support, linking with other information providers and support mechanisms both locally and nationally, as well as providing a support resource for health and social care professionals who can refer into our non-clinical service.
The MCISS team at UHMBT want to ensure you feel supported utilising your preferred method of communication. Booked appointments can be made for you to meet with us face to face, over the telephone or online - whatever works best for you, allowing you the time you need to discuss your concerns. We are here to support anyone affected by cancer so please do make contact.
You can hear from the team about the services we can provide in this video.
Face-to-Face appointments are available at the RLI Macmillan Centre located at the entrance to Medical Unit 1 near General Office, and at FGH Macmillan Centre located on Level 4, off the main corridor opposite the RVS shop. Please make contact with the team to arrange.
Lorraine Jones, MCISS Manager
Sallie Robinson, MCISS Manager
Joanne Gardner, MCISS Assistant
- A listening ear if you are lonely, upset and in need of a chat
- Access to information resources, including ‘easy read’, audio link information and information in different languages
- Signposting to local and national services
- Access to counselling / emotional support services
- Close links with Cancer Teams for clinical information
- Help with completing a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) / Care planning
- Support with financial issues / concerns
- Assistance with benefit applications and applying for Macmillan grants (subject to eligibility)
- Links with local Citizen’s Advice Teams for onward referrals for benefit check /financial assessment and support with work/employment issues
The HOPE programme – Help to Overcome Problems Effectively –is a health and lifestyle coaching course to support people after cancer treatment. Originally developed by Coventry University, it is now a licensed and accredited self-management programme run in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support and takes place over six weeks, in weekly 2½ hour sessions.
The programme uses cognitive behavioural techniques based on hope theory, self-efficacy theory and motivational interviewing.
HOPE is for people who may feel abandoned after cancer treatment and who may be finding it difficult to cope with the long-term effects. It helps people self-manage problems such as feelings of anxiety, fatigue and concerns for the future. As such, the course is increasingly becoming part of the support offered to people who have completed their treatment.
HOPE is a group programme delivered by trained facilitators. All facilitators are assessed and regularly monitored, ensuring positive outcomes for people attending the programme.
The programme is currently delivered across the Morecambe Bay footprint in Lancaster, Ulverston and Barrow in Furness.
Barrow in Furness - September 2024
Lancaster - January 2025
For more information, please contact the Macmillan Information and Support service
Call the Macmillan Information and Support service (landline) 01524 519578
Call the Macmillan Information and Support service (mobile) 07972639424
Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) is an international cancer support charity that helps boost the physical and emotional wellbeing of women, men and young adults undergoing cancer treatment.
‘Finding out you have cancer is traumatic. The added stress of the appearance related side-effects can be demoralizing and feel overwhelming, which can have serious consequences at a time when a positive attitude is vital.’
The Look Good Feel Better service is worldwide and to date having supported over 1.8 million people. Each group session is led by trained staff and is a chance to meet others in a similar situation, as well as learning useful skills and techniques to manage the side-effects of cancer treatment. Everything required for the workshops has been supplied through various companies.
This is an incredible provision to offer the patients of Morecambe Bay who are undergoing cancer treatment.
To find out further information, please contact Joanne Gardner on:
Joanne Gardner, Look Good Feel Better (landline) - 01524 519578
Joanne Gardner, Look Good Feel Better (mobile) - 07972639424
WATCH: Amy Dowden on BBC One Show
Credit to: The One Show, BBC One and iPlayer, weeknights at 7pm 2 April 2024
Video transcript
But first we are starting with that inspiration film by Amy Dowden who is using her recent experience with cancer as a force for good.
I've recently been told I'm no longer showing any evidence of cancer, which I feel so fortunate yet.
I'm still coming to terms with some of the impact of the treatment and part of that is the aftermath of losing my hair.
Taking the decision to shave my hair off was definitely the hardest step to throughout my whole cancer journey, but I wanted to be in control.
I have been a professional dancer on Strictly since 2017 so when I got diagnosed with breast cancer, I wanted to use my platform to help others in a similar situation like Mum of 2 Karen who found out she had breast cancer last October.
You just feel that your whole world has fallen apart.
How long do I have, what do I do with the kids? It was awful.
It takes weeks to process doesn't it? Absolutely.
Three weeks later Karen had a mastectomy and 3 months after that began chemotherapy.
I don't feel like myself. I don't feel as pretty as I used to be and I only know too well.
Losing your hair, losing what you feel your identity is. Cancer can take an awful lot of you but it can't take who I am. Exactly. And you know what, you are still beautiful. Do you know what I mean? Thank you. You really are.
Today I'm taking Karen to a session which aims to help women undergoing cancer treatment and it's something very close to my heart. Dancing.
Although following complications after surgery, I can't yet join in.
And we are going to find a sense of swing across. So start to feel the weight of your bones. Move, dance, feel.
It helps women with cancer reconnect with their bodies through dance. Emily Jenkins is its founder. It is really recommended by Oncologists and cancer support teams to be physically active at all stages from prehabilitation through to post treatment but also to support mental health. I found the mental more than the physical actually. And to have an hour or two hours away from the worry and the fear and the anxiety and decide just like connect to the sense of aliveness is just the gift.
This class really gave me a sense of reconnecting with the body and just joy. I was given 3 weeks to 3 months to live and I'm still here and Emily's class just puts me back together again.
I could see your shoulders really starting to relax and I could tell that you were coming into your own happy safe space as well. Absolutely, I have got a sense of me back and it feels amazing.
Next I'm taking Karen to a workshop run by a cancer charity - Look Good Feel Better it helps women take back their identity through practical advice on makeup and skincare.
I'm just a really girly girl so I just really love anything like this.
Sally Basketfield is a lead volunteer. Going through treatment, your skin may not be quite so good and it's a couple of hours that they are not thinking about their treatment.
Many women like me find it especially hard to lose eyebrows and eyelashes, but makeup is a great way of dealing with this. So how is that? I have eyebrows - yay. Diane and Jane have both attended the workshop before. You spend so much time in hospital and just to have that pampering session.
It was a nice treat. It was just lovely because you know I looked in the mirror and actually I do look like me you know? I am keen to find out how has Karen found the session.
Prior to today, I didn't feel pretty but today I am feeling incredible. You look it.
And I, once again, can say I feel pretty. Yay. Well you look fabulous and I hope this has given you the confidence and the boost that you deserve that hopefully will help you push through now for the rest of your treatment. Thank you. Come on - you have got this.
A cancer diagnosis is devastating. But I'm in awe of all the women I've met. They are reclaiming their bodies
finding positivity and joy at the hardest of times.
You can only imagine can't you, what those women are going through and there's nobody better to champion those women than Amy. She is incredible. Yes 100% and thank you so much to Amy and to the wonderful women there for sharing their story.
How can I access information from Macmillan Cancer Support outside of the working hours of the team at Morecambe Bay Hospitals Trust?
- The Macmillan Support Line is a free and confidential phone service for people living and affected by cancer. Please call us on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm).
- Macmillan online community is available 24 hours a day providing access to peer support for people affected by cancer.
Where can I access support locally for myself and my family?
- CancerCare is a local charity, with centres in Lancaster, Morecambe, Kendal and Barrow, which provide therapy, support and advice for people coping with the effects of a cancer diagnosis or loss of a loved one.
Who can help me if I need advice on finances and benefits?
- Age UK Lancashire - Tel: 0300 3031234 (Calls charged at local rate) Email: advice@ageuklancs.org.uk
- Age UK South Lakeland - Tel: 01539 728118, Helpline: 030 300 30003
- Age UK Barrow and District - Tel: 01229 831425, Email: contact@ageukbarrow.org.uk
- Citizen’s Advice Bureau - Citizen’s Advice are a charity staffed by teams of professional advisors and trained volunteers who can offer confidential, free, impartial advice to anyone who needs it.
- Citizens Advice North Lancashire - Freephone Tel: 0808 278 7882 (Adviceline) Email: enquiries@northlancashirecab.org.uk
- Citizens Advice South Lakes - Freephone: 0808 278 7984 (New enquiries), Tel: 015394 46464 (Ongoing enquiries) Email: advice@southlakesca.org.uk
- Citizens Advice Barrow - tel: 0808 2787 817
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Department for Work and Pensions - The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department, it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits.
How can I volunteer and get involved with Macmillan Cancer Support at University Hospitals Morecambe Bay Trust?
We are always keen to hear from people who may be interested in future volunteering opportunities. To register an interest please contact the Macmillan Information and Support Service Team on 01524 519578.
Look Good Feel Better is a cancer support charity that is launching face to face skincare and makeup workshops in your area. These sessions can help you manage the physical side effects of your cancer treatment, including skin changes, eyebrow loss, eyelash loss and makeup techniques. They also offer an opportunity to meet others in a similar position whilst providing advice from beauty industry experts.
If you are interested in attending a workshop of this nature please contact 01524 519578 / 07972639424 for more information or to book your place.
Workshops are planned for Barrow in Furness and Lancaster. Please make contact with the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service to register your interest as booking is essential.
We are available 8am – 4pm Monday – Friday (Excluding Bank Holidays)