Cumbria CVS worked with the Northern Cancer Alliance and Macmillan between 2018 and 2023 to support personalised care and recovery for people affected by cancer in North Cumbria.

Living With and Beyond Cancer Services are now being delivered by iCan Health and Fitness, WeCan Wellbeing Hub. For more information please visit their website, contact jenna@icanfitnesscumbria.co.uk or call 01228 819101.

A cancer diagnosis can affect anyone at any age and can impact many aspects of a person’s life. The focus of recovery from cancer will always be on the best possible medical care and treatment available. However, supporting people to overcome the many challenges they face on their cancer journey will also have a positive impact on recovery.

“One in three cancer survivors experience moderate to severe unmet needs at the end of treatment.” – Macmillan Cancer Support

Living With and Beyond Cancer project focusses on partnership working with colleagues in health and the voluntary sector in North Cumbria to make care more integrated with direct links through to a wide variety of support provided by the voluntary sector. We want people with a cancer diagnosis not only to have the best clinical and psychological care, but also access to the rich variety of support from the voluntary sector, helping them overcome the many challenges they may face.

Living With and Beyond Cancer services include:

Telephone Support

Our team of skilled volunteers are able to offer:

• A friendly listening ear.
• Regular calls to keep you connected.
• Discuss and identify what help and support you need.
• Onward signposting to appropriate local community support.
• Directing to reliable sources of information.

Face to Face

Our volunteers are available for face to face support at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. Our team of skilled volunteers are available every Thursday between 10am and 3pm. You can just call in or for more information, contact jenna@icanfitnesscumbria.co.uk or call 01228 819101.

Online Classes – Exercise and Movement 

Our online exercise and movement classes are delivered by Sarah Newby via Zoom. The classes can help at all stages of the cancer journey, pre- and post-op and before and after treatment. All the exercises can be adapted to all levels of ability and fitness so all can benefit. The classes are also available to those who care for someone affected by cancer.

Exercise has many benefits and can:

• help reduce cancer related fatigue.
• help preserve cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness.
• help reduce treatment side effects.
• improve psychological wellbeing.

To join just email jenna@icanfitnesscumbria.co.uk

Cancer Café Club

Cancer café clubs – Blue Windmill Clubs – are spaces where people can meet up and be with others who understand the issues associated with cancer.

There are three cafes in North Cumbria; in Workington, the Blue Windmill Club meets at the Carnegie Theatre every second and fourth Tuesday of the month between 10 and 11:30am. In Carlisle the Blue Windmill Club meets at Tullie House Café on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month between 10 and 11:30am. Our new Blue Windmill Club will meet in Booths café, Penrith on Thursday 20th April 2023 between 10 and 11:30am.

Call in for a friendly chat and a coffee, just look out for the table with the blue windmill.

please contact jenna@icanfitnesscumbria.co.uk or call 01228 819101.

Get involved

If you are interested in any of our volunteering opportunities, we would love to hear from you. For more information and to get involved please contact jenna@icanfitnesscumbria.co.uk or call 01228 819101.