Most of us have heard of Wessex Cancer Support (WCS) but – like many NCF members – you may be surprised to learn that their HQ is right here in Chandler’s Ford. WCS Head of Philanthropy and Major Partnerships, Jo Merrett, joined a recent Zoom networking meeting to update us on all the amazing work that they do to support anyone affected by cancer in our area.
Forty-four years of doing good
Back in 1981, a group of medical professionals met in a Portakabin on the site of The Royal South Hants Hospital in Southampton and came up with a plan. They were very aware that the NHS does a brilliant job providing treatment for those with cancer but they understood that there was greater need than that. Wessex Cancer Trust was therefore created to focus on raising funds for major projects and research, including the funding of breast cancer nurses, ground-breaking research into pioneering treatments and responding to numerous appeals for hospital wards and equipment.
This drive to improve the lives of those affected by cancer saw a progression into delivering community-based services in 2012. This has developed rapidly and WCS now have four cancer support centres as well as online services so local people can access support in the way that suits them best.
In 2023, Wessex Cancer Trust changed its name to Wessex Cancer Support as part of their ‘Cancer Support For All’ strategy. They wanted to ensure that people in the Wessex area – Hampshire, Dorset, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands – understood what they do and appreciate that they support anyone affected by cancer, not just the person diagnosed with it.
2024 – a snapshot
As Jo explained, 2024 was a challenging year for us all, for individuals and for businesses. The same was true for organisations like WCS trying to fundraise. Despite this, during the year, they were able to support:
- 1,811 individual clients through
- 19,001 support interactions and
- 14,000 journeys on the ‘Daisy Bus’, their transport service.
Those ‘support interactions’ might include any of WCS’ range of services, including emotional and wellbeing support offered through activities such as complementary therapy treatments (like reiki or reflexology), activity groups (like walking or singing) as well as counselling and group support. Jo also explained that they offer a ‘befriending’ service, the opportunity to talk to someone who has been through the cancer journey themselves and who has been trained to support others.
Fundraising and future events
Wessex Cancer Support receive no regular Government funding and so must work hard to find the money to keep their services running themselves. They apply for grants, work in partnerships with local businesses, receive legacies and donations from individuals and run six charity shops across the region.
However, fundraising events are often the more headline-grabbing activities, requiring some work to organise but being a great opportunity to engage volunteers and members of the community. The next event in the diary is ‘Cakes4Cancer’, to be held in May, an opportunity for supporters to make cake and invite friends and family around to enjoy it. (Who thinks we should do an NCF Cakes4Cancer morning?!)
Making a difference
On a personal note, Jo explained that she had moved from the corporate sector to WCS about two years ago and is finding it so worthwhile. “It’s the snippets that our clients sometimes share with us that remind us all why we do this,” she said. “A client recently told me that, if they hadn’t found Wessex Cancer Support, they are convinced that not only would their marriage have broken down but that they probably wouldn’t be here today. They credit WCS with saving them and what could be more rewarding than knowing that?”