Cancer Support Service at the Macmillan Support and Information Centres

What the service does
Who provides the service
How to access the service
Contact details
Useful links
Newly Diagnosed Cancer Information Pack

Cancer Support Service image of the Macmillan Support and Information Centre

What the service does

When you or someone close to you receives a cancer diagnosis, it can affect all areas of your life.

The Cancer Support Service works in partnership with Advice Space NI, Cancer Focus NI, Friends of the Cancer Centre, Look Good Feel Better and Macmillan Cancer Support.

We provide a wide range of support and information on all aspects of living with cancer for patients, family and carers.

This includes:

Emotional effects of cancer
Physical effect of cancer
Work and cancer
How to access Macmillan Benefits advice
Financial
Looking after someone with cancer
Local support service.

Staff and trained volunteers offer a listening ear and information on a wide range of support for all aspects of living with cancer.

This includes information in different languages and formats may also be available, please ask.

For Macmillan Cancer Support BSL signed videos visit their website.

The following services are provided:

Work Support Conversation

The work support conversation provides you with an opportunity to talk about your work concerns. This includes support, information and services that are available to help with returning to work. While we do not provide legal advice, we help you understand your rights as an employee, and help you find the words to talk to your employer about your rights.
Complementary Therapy

In partnership with the Trust the Friends of the Cancer Centre help fund the Complementary Therapy service. Complementary Therapy can help manage stress and support your overall wellbeing. The service is for patients, relatives and carers.

We offer:

Aromatherapy
This is the use of essential oils used within treatments and blends to promote health and wellbeing. The oils are made from flowers, herbs, fruit and leaves of certain plants and can help aide relaxation. The essential oils are then carefully mixed with hydrating carrier oils and may be applied to the skin.

Massage
This is the use of light touch therapies which may help ease anxiety, tension and promote relaxation of mind and body.

Reflexology
This is the application of gentle pressure to different points on the feet and hands. This may help people relax and cope with stress and anxiety, as well as manage symptoms and give an overall feeling of wellbeing.

Register your interest for Complementary Therapies.
Group Activities

We offer the following group activities.

Cancer Related Fatigue Programme
Fatigue is a common problem for people with cancer. This patient only programme explores cancer related fatigue and provides advice on how to cope better with fatigue. This is currently being offered online only.

Register for the Cancer Related Fatigue Programme.

Look Good Feel Better Workshop
These workshops offer skin care and beauty for women, men, teenagers and young adults and are aimed at helping to manage the emotional and physical side effects of cancer treatment. These patient only, 2 hour workshops are available online or in person.

Book on to a workshop.

Friends of the Cancer Centre Funded Exercise Class Programme

These small group exercise programmes are for patients, relatives and carers. You can avail of 12 sessions of each class. Each class is one hour long and must be booked.

Pilates
Focuses on physical movement designed to strengthen, stretch and balance the body.

Yoga
Involves gentle stretching, breath work and meditation designed to reduce stress, fatigue and improve flexibility.

Tai Chi
Combines a series of body movements for the promotion of wellbeing, management of stress and fatigue.

Register for a class.

Walking Group

On Tuesdays our walking group will leave the Macmillan Support & Information Centre, 77-81 Lisburn road, Belfast, at 2pm.

On Thursdays our walking group will leave the Macmillan Information Centre, Level 2 (Main Corridor), Royal Victoria Hospital at 10.30am– Starting Thursday 7th November 2024.

Knit & Natter

Great for those who enjoy knitting, having a natter and meeting new people. This class takes place twice a month on a Friday at the Macmillan Support and Information Centre, Belfast City Hospital, 77-81 Lisburn road, Belfast.

Book Club

Book Club in partnership with Libraries NI meets on a monthly basis on a Friday at the Macmillan Support and Information Centre, Belfast City Hospital, 77-81 Lisburn road, Belfast.

For more information or to book please contact the centre on 028 961 50077 or via email: cancer.info@belfasttrust.hscni.net

The services open to those 18 and over who have been affected by cancer.

For more information on the services:

Who provides the service

The Belfast Trust working in partnership with Cancer Charities.

How to access the service

Referrals to the services can be made by healthcare professional or the person affected by cancer (patient, carers and families). Referrals can be made by telephone, email or drop in during opening hours. Some services are available by appointment only.