' Our new Centre will have a large open central area will provide a pleasant, safe and welcoming environment where people affected by cancer will be able to call in without a previous appointment, spend time informally within the building, get an impression of the organisation and make a decision whether this organisation is where they wish to seek help.'
The Organisation opened in premises situated in the city centre.
They were half way up a hill with a bus stop at the top and at the bottom. There was very little available parking nearby. These premises were in a business rather than a retail area and consequently few people just passed by. The premises themselves did not provide us with a visible presence. Making people aware of our service was always difficult.
We moved to our present premises which we rent from the Care Trust in 1995. These have a large adjacent car park. We have an internal ramp and no stairs. We are situated across the road from Bradford Royal Infirmary.
Shortly after we moved here the number of our service users grew and continues to grow. In 04/05 we had 3,500 service users. Lack of space constricted our services and created waiting lists. We had to find temporary accommodation for our benefits advice team now located ½ mile away.
Experience had taught us that staying close to the hospital where patients would be made aware of us was essential as was proximity to a bus route, parking and a reasonably flat approach.
We also realised that whilst some services are offered off site e.g. in the patients home, or in our Information Centre, we are essentially a holistic service which considers all aspects of a patients needs and those of their family. We need to retain the concept of a core Centre where people can come meet each other, feel supported and access all services. We spent several months looking for suitable properties that met these requirements. We were unable to find any.
Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust has offered us the ideal location but the property was too small to meet our needs. The plan which has evolved incorporates an 18th Century small row of cottages known as 'The Old Farm' alongside a large modern construction 'The Barn'. Together they will provide what is required in order to support cancer patients and their families.
'Coming to the Centre feels like my time now. I have the Support Network - everyone is in the same boat and I don't feel I am letting anyone down if I can't do something' - service user
'BCS are open and friendly and are able to give practical and pertinent advice' - service user
'a benefits adviser looked after me and sorted out my affairs as I could not. I was in hospital for 35 days' - service user
'Life is so much richer for coming here' - service user
'It's good to have support with unfamiliar issues whilst going through a minefield of emotions' - service user
The biggest plus is the continuity of support from diagnosis to bereavement. Support continues if the patient dies - helping the family. Often the source of greatest anxiety for the patient is what will happen to the family 'when I go'.
Ann Quinn. Reading University. Evaluation of benefits advice services to Cancer Patients
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you can help
To make a donation to help secure the support of cancer patients and their families in Bradford you can download our form here, or simply send your donation to
The Daisy Appeal
Bradford Cancer Support
Daisy Bank
109 Duckworth Lane
Bradford
BD9 6RN
We need your help to raise £1.1 million to provide a new Centre and facilities to support cancer patients and their families
Seasonal Mini Animals £1.99
Daisy Appeal Pens £1
Daisy Appeal Coin Keyrings £1.00
Daisy Appeal Pin on Daisy £1
Just purchasing one of these items will help towards our appeal or alternatively you could help by raffling a Large Daisy Bear beautifully gift wrapped with a bottle of wine or chocolates etc
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ways
you can help
You can also help in a number of other ways:
Donate a raffle prize for an event
Make a donation
Purchase an item from our merchandise list
Organise an event
Ask your friends, family, employer, or contacts for
their support, or simply spread the word about what
we do
We can have your company logo printed on the banner along with the Daisy Appeal Logo and message of support from you for just
£50 each
CONTACT LINDA ENDERBY OR MAUREEN BURNS OR ANY MEMBER OF STAFF AT THE CENTRE OR TELEPHONE 01274 776688
YOU CAN ALSO;
E-mail fundraising@bradfordcancersupport.org.uk
or
m.burns@bradfordcancersupport.org.uk
or fax
01274 776555
