27/3/2009 - Cumbrian libraries help raise cancer awareness and support : Cumbria County Council

A brand new scheme to put cancer information 'outreach' services in nine libraries across Cumbria is being launched next week (April 1st).

The project has been steered by the Cancer Information Centre based at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cumbria County Council’s library service and the Macmillan cancer charity. The outreach service will help provide information and support services in the libraries, with five of the nine libraries also holding drop-in sessions staffed by trained Macmillan information and support volunteers.

The project has been made possible thanks to a £60,000 grant from Macmillan and is based on a similar scheme run by the North East Cancer Network around Durham, which has similar demographics to Cumbria. There will be new dedicated shelving and leaflet holders, new books on cancer awareness and new signage for the libraries involved. The libraries holding the volunteer drop-in sessions will also invest in new seating areas for the sessions.

The following five libraries will have both cancer information resources plus the drop-in sessions at advertised times:

The following four libraries will solely have cancer information resources and will be able to signpost people to other cancer information points:

Carol Maughan, Liaison Manager for Macmillan Cancer Information and Advice Services for North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, said:

"We are thrilled to see the development of this new outreach service which will provide a valuable resource to patients closer to their homes. We are indebted to Cumbria County Council’s library service and Macmillan, whose support and action in developing this service has seen it become a reality."

Cllr Barbara Cannon, Cumbria County Council's cabinet member responsible for adults and culture, said:

"Raising awareness of cancer and the support available is not only important to help early diagnosis, but also to let people know that they are not fighting this disease on their own. Macmillan do a wonderful job and we are delighted to be working with them in this exciting new project."

Anyone interested in becoming a Macmillan information and support vounteer can contact Carol Maughan on 01228 814283 or email carol.maughan@ncumbria-acute.nhs.uk

Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, Cumbria County Council News Manager on 01228 226332 or Elizabeth Kay, Communications Manager North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust on 01228 814344