Practical support
Having cancer can have a practical impact on your day-to-day life in ways you hadn't anticipated. Our health and social care professionals help people access a range of practical support and adapt to the changes brought on by cancer. They are also experts in helping people deal with the side effects - for example, breathlessness, fatigue, or difficulty eating.
Our practical support helps people spend as much time as possible in their own homes rather than in hospital.
Some of our professionals, such as Macmillan occupational therapists, can arrange for changes to a home, for example for a stair lift or a handrail to be fitted so people can get around the home more easily, or for someone to help with their cooking and cleaning.
'I had this wonderful inflatable mattress at the hospital and when it came time to go home Lorraine [my Macmillan lung cancer nurse] arranged for one just like it to be there, which made an enormous difference.' Sidonie Sinker
We care for the carers
When you're caring for someone with cancer, your own needs can be overlooked. You may feel isolated. Our carer support schemes aim to ensure that carers are just as well supported as people with cancer. This can mean anything from delivering practical support in the home to give carers some precious time off, to offering an understanding person to talk to. In 2004 we also teamed up with national organisations, such as Age Concern, to find more ways to help carers that exactly suit their needs and circumstances. In 2006, we're developing eight new carers support services, bringing the total to 51.
'The Macmillan carers made a big difference to my life while I was looking after Ken. I was able to go out and get shopping knowing Ken was in safe hands. I wouldn't have been able to get out of the house for four months without this service.' Carol Adey
Self help and support groups
People affected by cancer offer each other a variety of emotional and practical support via self help and support groups. Some groups provide home and hospital visiting for example, while others help with transport to hospital or meetings. To strengthen this network of support, we offer information, support, training and small grants to new and existing groups.