South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 04/11/2013

Cancer information and support specialists from the Macmillan Cancer Support charity will be trialling a new programme of advice sessions at six libraries in South Gloucestershire: Yate, Bradley Stoke, Kingswood, Staple Hill, Patchway and Thornbury. The trial runs throughout November and aims to provide support to people affected by cancer by visiting them in their local community. 

Michelle Smith, one of Macmillan’s cancer specialists who will be running the advice sessions, said: “At the moment, one in three of us will get cancer, but it affects our friends, family and carers too. That’s clearly a huge number of people who need our help and support. We can offer free, confidential advice and support to anyone who visits us in the libraries and no appointment is needed. 

“Cancer is the toughest fight many people will ever face, and the feelings of isolation and loneliness that so many people experience make it even harder, but you don’t have to go through it alone. The Macmillan team is with you every step of the way. If you have any worries or questions about cancer, whether it’s about you, a relative or friend, come and talk to us in one of the libraries.” 

Cllr Claire Young, Chair of South Gloucestershire Council’s Communities Committee, said: “Local libraries have always been a handy source of freely-available, impartial information. It’s great that Macmillan is able to come out into the community and raise awareness of the support available to people affected by cancer.” 

Macmillan advice session dates:

Thursday 7 November at Yate Library from 10am to 12pm

Thursday 7 November at Bradley Stoke Library from 2pm to 4pm

Friday 8 November at Kingswood Library from 10am to 12pm

Friday 8 November at Staple Hill Library from 2pm to 4pm

Friday 15 November at Patchway Library from 2pm to 4pm

Wednesday 20 November at Thornbury Library from 10am to 12pm 

If you cannot visit one of the library sessions but have questions about cancer, you can call Macmillan free on 0808 8080000 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk 

Throughout the month of November South Gloucestershire’s libraries will also be promoting mood boosting books that have been recommended by people diagnosed with cancer. ‘Reading Well Mood-boosting Books’ is a national promotion coordinated by the Reading Agency where cancer patients have recommended a list of 20 uplifting books for others to read. Most of the titles are not specifically about cancer but were recommended because people found them mood boosting during or after their treatment. Book clubs are encouraged to read from the list during November and the book list will be available in libraries for anyone to read as a pick-me-up. 

Yate and Staple Hill libraries will additionally be hosting exhibitions of information to help people quit smoking. If you want to stop smoking but missed ‘Stoptober’, drop in to the libraries any time during November for helpful information. 

For more information telephone 01454 868006 or contact Gill Clayton gill.clayton@southglos.gov.uk