FOCUS Support and Information Centre

Here to help: The Focus Support and Information Centre

Our FOCUS support centre is situated in the heart of the Oncology Centre in the outpatient waiting area of Cheltenham General Hospital. The team are there to support our patients at every step; from a diagnosis of cancer to advice during and beyond their treatment. The team work alongside the NHS clinical team and offer daily support of pre-chemotherapy and pre-radiotherapy information sessions together with practical and emotional support and advice to patients and their families and carers.

Drop-in times: Monday-Friday, 8:30 – 4:30

Tel: Ali on 0300 422 4414 or Mandy on 0300 422 3226

Email: ali.williams2@nhs.net

What The Focus Support Centre offers

Amongst the services available from FOCUS are: general information, support and advice on many types of cancer, advice on hair loss, nutritional needs, side effects, talking with children, financial and estate planning, travel insurance, fatigue, support for carers etc. The centre is able to signpost people to benefits support, health and wellbeing events, counselling and psychological services, drop in sessions regarding creating a will or powers of attorney and various cancer rehabilitation programs across the county.

Complementary Therapies

The support team recruit a team of qualified therapists who offer complimentary therapies for patients. Therapies available are: Indian Head Massage, hand massage, reflexology, reiki, gentle shoulder & back massage and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) to help relieve anxiety, phobias and relax patients during their treatment.

Wig Clinic

FOCUS provides a weekly NHS wig clinic with a professional wig consultant. The consultations are free of charge, last 30 minutes and are pre-bookable through the centre. Wig prescriptions are also available through the support centre. The current charge is £71.25. For the convenience of patients we also stock a variety of head wear such as sleeping caps, silk scarves and bamboo hats. Please note that all products (except for wigs) must be paid for in cash.

Car park Treatment Permits for oncology outpatients on treatment

Oncology outpatients may obtain treatment permits for the oncology carpark off the Keynsham Road. The permit is for the use of outpatients when they have treatment appointments.

Focus is the charitable fund for the Gloucestershire Oncology Centre, raising funds which directly provide extra care, specialist equipment and improvements to facilities for local cancer patients. Our support team are funded by donations, along with a range of projects across the Oncology Centre. We are grateful to our supporters for making this possible.

Focus is part of Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity, registered charity no. 1051606 www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/charity

0300 422 3231

Other recommended services

Maggie's Centre (Cheltenham)

Maggie's provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their families and friends. At Maggie’s Cheltenham, their specialist staff offer one-to-one advice as well as group sessions, workshops and courses aimed at helping to address the physical and psychological impact of living with cancer.

Drop-in times: Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm

Tel: 01242 250611

Email: Maggie's Centre

Website: Maggie's Centre Website

Churchdown abc

Chuchdown abc is a community self-help support group for patients, carers, relatives and friends. They provide opportunities for people affected by cancer to meet socially in relaxed, friendly surroundings.

Drop-in times: 2nd and 4th Tuesday

Trevor 01452 857077 or David 01452 552926

Charlies (Gloucester & The Forest of Dean)

Charlie’s provides a free drop in support centre for anyone affected by cancer. Charlie’s offers friendship and support and a range of holistic therapies.

Drop in Tuesday, Wed and Thursday 10-2

Tel: 07786 547439

Email: charlies2014@yahoo.co.uk

Website: www.charlies.org.uk

Great Oaks (Coleford)

Great Oaks is a free support centre for people living with cancer and their carers. Great Oaks provides advice, information and support for anyone having treatment, living with or surviving cancer. Great Oaks offers support groups, complementary therapies, counselling and friendship.

Drop in Monday to Friday 9-5

Tel: 01594 811910

Email: clerical@great-oaks.org.uk

Website: www.great-oaks.org.uk

Longfield Hospice (Minchinhampton)

Longfield hospice provides emotional and practical support for patients and families. Longfield provides support for people at all stages of their illness for people aged 18 and over and their families.

Tel: 01453 886868

Website: www.longfield.org.uk

Gloucestershire Carers Hub

Gloucestershire Carers Hub can help the life of people who are carers. They offer support in a number of ways, from information about benefit entitlement to emotional support. Services include: counselling, emergency support, carer to carer support, time out for carers breaks, support groups.

Tel: 0300 111 9000

Website: https://gloucestershirecarershub.co.uk/

Macmillan Next Steps Cancer Rehabilitation

Next Steps is an NHS specialist cancer rehabilitation service which supports anyone living in Gloucestershire who has been diagnosed with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer.

Tel: 0300 421 6586

Email: nextsteps@glos-care.nhs.uk

Donate to focus

How donations to Focus make a direct impact for local cancer patients

Every donation, no matter what size, makes a real impact on our work by funding extra care and equipment over and above that provided by the NHS. Recent donations have provided:

• Special reclining chairs which give comfort to patients receiving chemotherapy treatment.
• Equipment which enables home treatment for people with Lymphoedema, a condition common among cancer patients. The equipment reduces swelling through fluid build up.
• Sky Ceilings which transform the environment in our radiotherapy treatment rooms.
• The Focus Cancer Information Centre is funded by donations and is an invaluable source of information for patients their carers and families.
• Iodine Treatment Suites which have not only doubled the number of Thyroid Cancer patients who can benefit from this important treatment but also offer a greatly improved environment.
• Donations also make a vital difference to our work in the Focus Research Centre, helping to fund dedicated staff to expand our capacity to offer new research and trials to local people fighting cancer.

Supporting Focus

By supporting Focus today you can help us to invest in projects which benefit local people fighting cancer. You can get involved by:

Making a donation in support of Focus

You can download our donation & gift aid form here make an online donation or send a cheque made payable to ‘Focus’ to: Charity Office, Cheltenham General Hospital, Cheltenham, GL53 7ANPlease get in touch if you would like to donate by bank transfer or to set up a regular gift.

Taking on a sponsored challenge or organising your own event

From mud runs to scenic walks and skydives, we have a variety of challenges and events you can get involved in, or you can hold your own fundraising event such as a cake sale or raffle. Set up your own online fundraising page

Getting your company or community group involved in fundraising for Focus.

You can make a real impact on our work by partnering with us through a company, or by supporting through your organisation or community group. We believe in creating mutually beneficial partnerships and work with companies to create positive PR around their support. Get in touch to find out more.

Volunteering to support our fundraising for Focus

Volunteering for the charity can help to raise awareness and vital funds for our work, and gives supporters the opportunity to join our welcoming fundraising team. Contact us to find out more.

Setting up a tribute fund in memory of a loved one

Donations or collections in memory of a loved one will make a lasting difference for those who visit the oncology Centre in future. You can make a one-off gift, ask for donations in lieu of flowers at the funeral which can be arranged by a Funeral Director on your behalf, or set up an online tribute page to enable people to make donations in memory online.

Remembering FOCUS in your Will

By remembering Focus in your will you can transform the lives of future patients and their families. Every gift, no matter what size, is greatly appreciated and makes a real impact on our work.The Oncology team are very grateful for your support – thank you.

Find out more

• Download a copy of our Fundraising leaflet
• Visit www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/charity

Or contact us:

• 0300 422 3231
• ghn-tr.fundraising@nhs.net
• Charity Office, Cheltenham General Hospital, Cheltenham, GL53 7AN

Focus is part of Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity (registered charity no. 1051606)