FACT is celebrating its 10th birthday in 2018, having been set up by a North East mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005.
She found that she was looked after very well by local medical teams and services, but, once outside the hospital environment, was surprised to find that there was no practical or emotional support for her, or her family or friends.
Following her long and difficult battle and having been successfully treated for cancer, she was inspired to set up FACT (Fighting All Cancers Together) to provide the support services that weren’t there for her or her family so that everyone affected by cancer, could find the help they need easily, in one place, in good time, when they need it and free of charge. FACT’s help is easily accessible to anyone affected by cancer without the need for referral.
10 years ago, FACT started out in a spare bedroom with nothing and has now moved into bigger accommodation twice as the demand for its services is so great. It has grown into an established North East regional charity, now operating from a dedicated cancer support centre in Swalwell, and exists to:
-provide support and guidance for cancer sufferers and their friends, family and carers.
-create a platform for the exchange of experiences, views and information
-provide facilities to improve service users’ life conditions
Very early on, when FACT couldn’t find what people were looking for it started to fill the gaps itself either as a one off for an individual, or by developing a programme of readily accessible support.
From a standing start 10 years ago, FACT now offers a wide suite of activities, counselling and therapies which are all available free, without referral, to anyone affected by cancer. The list is demand led and depends on the needs of the current service users.
FACT also offers advice, support and guidance about day to day practical issues people need to deal with, sometimes because of, and sometimes despite, cancer. These include finances; employment; child care; talking to children, family and friends about cancer; exercise, nutrition; affordable travel insurance; etc. FACT is aware that a diagnosis of cancer affects not only the patient, but also family members, friends and colleagues which is why its support is available to all who need them. Support can be offered either on a one to one basis or as a group or family unit.
At FACT, everyone understands that having cancer doesn’t mean you are just a set of symptoms to be treated. Everyone who gets cancer is different. As they are all individuals, the care and support they need to live with a cancer diagnosis, particularly after treatment has finished, will also be different. In the last 10 years FACT has learned a lot about the complicated, individual needs of those affected by cancer and the difference it means to people to be offered support outside of a clinical setting.
FACT doesn’t focus on what is the matter with the patient, but more importantly, what matters to the patient. Beneficiaries have told us that prior to FACT’s existence it wasn’t uncommon for them to be signposted to 6 or 7 different providers in different locations and still not have their needs addressed.
FACT has made the cancer journey easier for thousands of people in the north east and supported them through good times and bad, life and death and bereavement and loss. It organises kindness kits for those who need support and has an annual Christmas hamper appeal for families financially affected by the diagnosis of cancer, as financial hardship often goes hand in hand with a cancer diagnosis.
Because of the demand for FACT’s services, it’s begun to hold regular open drop in sessions, and services by appointment, across other areas of the north east including Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Durham and Sunderland.
In 10 years, FACT has gone from pipe dream to reality and its baby steps have turned into giant strides to support anyone affected by cancer – it really is unique.
FACT receives no statutory support or funds for the services it delivers and is constantly fundraising to allow its work to continue and to grow. Can you help?
For further information email info@fact-cancersupport.co.uk or call 0191 4420833.
