
Local Cancer Information Directory West Essex
Includes contacts for: Macmillan, Carers Support, Citizens Advice, Transport/Parking, Support Groups, Health & Wellbeing, Physical Activity, Hospice, Practical Support & Bereavement Support.
Please note - due to COVID-19, some of the groups may offer a reduced service,
please contact them directly for more information.
This directory is for patients in the west Essex locality. Also available as a one page, printable pdf.
Cancer Information and Support Service
The West Essex Macmillan
1st Floor, Addison House, Hamstel Road,
Harlow, Essex, CM20 1EP
Tel: 01279 698 673
Email: westessex.cancerinformation@nhs.net
Web: https://eput.nhs.uk/our-services/west-essex/cancer-support/
West Essex Facebook Support Group – search for West Essex Cancer Support on facebook.
-
Support and information for anyone affected by cancer
-
Face to face visits to discuss your needs
-
Information and access to other services
-
Benefits advice and assistance
-
A volunteer befriending service
-
HOPE course – six week self-management course for people living with cancer and who have finished their cancer treatment
-
Information service at Williams Day Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital
-
Information points at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping and Saffron Walden Community Hospital
Carers support
Carers First ( Essex)
Unit 4,(Ground floor),
Freeport office Village,
CenturyDrive, Braintree,
Essex CM778YG
Tel:03003031555
Email:hello@Carersfirst.org.uk
https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/essex
Provide emotional support, practical support, advice, information and informal advocacy.
Citizens Advice
Uttlesford Citizens Advice Bureau
Tel: 01799 618840
Barnards Yard, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4EB
Email: bureau@uttlesfordcab.cabnet.org.uk
-
Advice on housing
-
Financial advice
-
Advice on education
-
Advice on work
Epping Forest District Citizens Advice Bureau
Tel: 03444 770 808
Monday to Friday 10.00 to 16.00
Epping Office -
Ernest Wythes House, 50a Hemnall Street, Epping CM16 4LS
Loughton Office -
Loughton Library (first floor), Traps Hill, Loughton IG10 1HD
Waltham Abbey Office -
Side Entrance, Town Hall, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1DE
Web: http://www.citizensadviceefd.org.uk/#
We provide free, confidential and impartial advice and campaign on big issues affecting people's lives.
-
Advice on housing
-
Financial advice
-
Advice on education
-
Advice on work
Harlow Citizens Advice Bureau
Tel: 0344 4770808
13-15 Eastgate, The High, Harlow, Essex CM20 1HP
Open Monday - Friday 10am-4pm
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am till 1pm
Web: http://www.harlowcitizensadvice.org.uk/
Public Telephone Access Line for guidance and information
Citizens Advice Harlow gives advice audited by the Citizens Advice Service.
All advice is given free of charge but is of the highest professional standard.
We deal with a wide range of issues including debt, divorce, benefits, housing,
consumer and legal issues.
Transport or Parking
Epping Forest Community Transport
Tel: 01992 579556
Web: www.vaef.org.uk
Operates in your community with volunteer drivers
-
Individual bookings
-
Group bookings
-
Voluntary/community groups
-
Community buses
-
Excursions
-
No emergency doctor/hospital appointments
Uttlesford Community Travel
Tel: 01371 875787
Web: www.uttlesfordcommunitytravel.org
-
Community volunteer transport for the over 60’s the disabled or those who are rurally isolated
-
The service covers all types of medical appointments, travel to day centres, hair appointments, days out or visits to friends
-
You will need to become a member to use the service and there is a charge made
Support groups and support centres
Helen Rollason
West Essex Support Centre within Harlow LeisureZone,
Second Avenue, Harlow
CM203DT
Tel: 01279 413412
Email: admin@helenrollason.org.uk
-
The centre offers a range of free support and therapies to help people living with cancer
-
Including counselling and support groups
-
Complementary therapies
The Hummingbird Group
Herts and Essex Hospital, The Kitwood Suite,
Cavell Drive, off Haymeads Lane,
Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 5JH
Tel: 01279 827247
http://www.hummingbirdgroup.btck.co.uk/
-
The centre offers Reiki within NHS environments and other health support groups
-
Drop in meets on alternate Mondays, 10am to 1pm at the Rhodes Arts Centre Cafe Bar, off South Road in Bishop’s Stortford
ProActive – Prostate Cancer Self-Help Group
Tel: 07747 374692
Email: proactive.epping@gmail.com
Web: www.proactive.me.uk
An informal local group for men with prostate cancer, and their carers, which provides support to other patients and their families through regular meetings at St Margaret’s Hospital.
Breast Cancer Support Group
Orchard Day Unit,
St Margarets Hospital,
The Plain, Epping,
Essex, CM16 6TN
Tel: 01992 575449 (Gloria Eveleigh)
-
Advice, peer support & practical help for women who have, or have had, breast cancer.
-
Meetings are the 3rd Thursday of the month, 7.00pm-8.45pm
-
Alternate months have information session with a guest speaker.
-
Patients are encouraged to self-refer
Secondary Breast Cancer Support Group
Based at UCLH in London
Tel: 020 3906 1406
Web: www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk
Monthly group specifically for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Meets monthly on Tuesdays from 5.30pm-7pm
Lung Support Group
Paringdon Sports Club, Paringdon Road,
Harlow, Essex, CM19 4QT
Tel (Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist)
– 07932526152, 01279 827622
-
Peer support for people who are affected by lung cancer: patients, relatives & carers.
-
Facilitated by Lung Cancer Nurse.
-
Guest speakers.
-
Meetings are the 1st Wednesday of the month, 2pm-4pm
Connect - Stoma patients support group
The Harlow & District Stoma Group,
The Link, Parsloe Road,
Harlow, Essex, CM19 4RT
Tel: Lin Hart 01279 505273
Email: comeconnectwithus@gmail.com
-
Oesophageal & Gastric Cancer & Related Conditions Support group
offering practical & emotional support for stoma patients, partners, family and friends. -
Monthly programme of events.
-
Annual fee £8 single, £13 joint (partner or friend)
-
Meetings are 2nd Tuesday of every month, 10.30am-12noon
Essex Bowel Cancer Support Group
Facebook based online support group
Admin: Emma Sly –
Macmillan Recovery Package Manager,
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Tel: 01279 444455 ext 3023
Email: Emma.Sly@pah.nhs.uk
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1463159353981457/
(or from your personal Facebook acct. just search for Essex Bowel Cancer Support)
This is a closed/private support group for anyone affected by Bowel Cancer.
A very friendly bunch who offer peer to peer support for anyone who needs.
The group is overseen by a specialist nurse who can be available for any medical questions
Emotional and health and wellbeing support
Healthy Minds
Tel: 0300 2225943
Web: www.hpft.nhs.uk/healthyminds
Healthy Minds is a NHS service offering quick and easy access to talking therapies, practical support and employment advice for anyone who may be experiencing depression, anxiety or stress
Health and Wellbeing Events
Lisa Reid
Macmillan Recovery Package Manager
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Email:lisa.reid3@nhs.net
Events organised every 3-4 months for patients and their loved ones. The events offer advice on a variety of topics including:
Diet & nutrition, Exercise, Benefits, Breathlessness, Fatigue and Mindfulness
Plus gives an opportunity for peer to peer support
Macmillan Hope Course
Run by The West Essex Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service
Tel: 01279 698 673
HOPE course is a six week self-management course for people living with cancer and/or who have finished their cancer treatment.
Moving on from your breast cancer (MBV course)
Held in either Epping or Harlow
Tel: 01279 827857
Email: mbvatpah@outlook.com
-
A free course for anyone with breast cancer.
-
Aimed at self and health improvement post treatment
-
2hrs per week for 6 weeks
-
Incudes sessions on nutrition, physiology, exercise, mindfulness, dressing post treatment.
-
An opportunity to share experience and learning with other breast cancer patients
Fabulous and Beautiful
Held in either Epping or Harlow
Tel: 01279 827857
-
Held first Monday of the month from 11am – 2pm.
-
Pampering session and chance to talk to other people with breast cancer
Brafternoon Support group
Manor of Groves Hotel,
Sawbridgeworth,
Herts,CM21 0JU
Tel: Anita Gray 07703254001
Email:anita@brafternoon.co.uk
Held fourth Monday of the month from 11-3pm.
Ladies support group for all cancer types, offering an opportunity to meet likeminded individuals for support and friendship with regular speakers and events.
Cancer Hair Care
Williams Day Unit
Princess Alexander Hospital
Tel:01438311322
Email:support@cancerhaircare.com
Look Good Feel Better
The Rivers Hospital
Sawbridgeworth
Tel:07908221025
Held 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month.
9.30-1.30pm. Expert hair advisors can help with; Headscarves & headwear, scalp cooling, makeup, wig care and styling advice, new hair growth.
LGFB provides free skincare and makeup workshops for men and women cancer patients.
Physical Activity
Energise Cancer Rehab
Epping Sports Centre, 25 Hemnall Street,
Epping, CM16 4LU
Annette Stansfield (Cancer rehabilitation scheme co-ordinator)
Tel: 01992 564564
Email: Annettestansfield@pfpleisure.org.uk
12 week programme with advice and support to becoming more active
-
Referral via GP or health professional
-
12 weeks of unlimited exercise for £49.95
-
Cancer rehab exercise class runs on Tuesday 12.15pm, which are free while on the scheme
-
Personal health assessment and exercise programme
-
Nutritional. Exercise and lifestyle support
-
Online activity planner
-
Specialist cancer rehab classes
-
Low impact classes including yoga, pilates and stretch
-
Swimming
Cancer Be Fit – Fitness for breast cancer survivors
Tel: 07701 094373
Email: tayloredfitness@sky.com
A free fitness class run by Elaine, a survivor and qualified Cancer and
Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist
-
Classes on Tuesdays 10.30am at The Norman Booth Centre, Elderfield,
Mulberry Green, Old Harlow, Harlow, CM17 0EY
Active Harlow Social Strollers
Tel: Chris Purvis - 01279 446435
Email: chris.purvis@harlow.gov.uk
-
Walks are free to join and happen every other Friday in Harlow Town Park.
-
A calendar of our walks is available at www.harlow.gov.uk.
-
30 minute or 60 minute route option available.
Exercise: An introduction to physical activity
Held at St Margarets Hospital
Tel: 01279 827857 (Wed – Thurs 9am-5pm)
Email: pah.exercise@nhs.net
-
A free course for anyone with breast cancer who wishes to improve their level of exercise post treatment
-
A fun six week course
-
12.30-1.30om on Tuesdays.
-
All levels of fitness welcome even if you have never exercised before
Hospice
St Clares Hospice
St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood Road,
Hastingwood, Essex, CM17 9JX
Tel: 01279 773 700
Web: http://stclarehospice.org.uk/
Email: info@stclarehospice.org.uk
-
St Clare Hospice is a local charity and each year we care for hundreds of people across West Essex and the East Hertfordshire border.
-
Provide free, compassionate care and support to adults with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers.
Practical Support
Community Agents Essex – Supporting Independent Living
Tel: to arrange a free visit,
call 08009 775858 or 01376 574341
Web: www.communityagentessex.org.uk
Email: enquiries@caessex.org.uk
An innovative partnership supporting older people over 65 and their informal carers
-
Mobility issues
-
Practical living skills
-
Social inclusion
-
Healthy living
-
Caring for someone
-
Individual resilence
Frontline
www.uttlesfordfrontline.org.uk
www.eppingforestfrontline.org.uk
Frontline is a community project that helps the public and professionals.
A library of local health and wellbeing services.
Lymphoedema Support
Breast cancer referrals are sent to
Breast Care Unit, St Margaret’s Hospital.
Non breast patients are sent to appropriate Lymphoedema service via G.P or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
The service is community based and was established to treat people affected by lymphoedema secondary to their cancer. It also cares for patients who have complex oedema at end of life.
Bereavement Support
Cruse Bereavement Care
Tel: National helpline – 0844 477 9400
Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Cruse young people’s support Helpline 0808 808 1677
Website www.RD4U.org.uk
-
Cruse is a national charity that provides advice, information and support and anyone who has been bereaved, whenever or however the death occurred.
-
A free confidential service.
-
Face-to-face, telephone, email and website support, both post- and pre-bereavement.
-
National helpline and local services throughout the country