Active Humber have been working with Creating Positive Opportunity in North East Lincolnshire and Jaimie's Get Active, Stay Active in North Lincolnshire to identify and bring in funding through the National Lottery Awards to support the mental health of rehab and rehab participants.
The project will enable the delivery of high quality prehabilitation activity, rehabilitation activity, nutritional and the ever so important mental health support for people across this area who have received a cancer diagnosis and may struggle to access support provided by the NHS that is provided in Hull & East Riding.
We felt it was important that individuals could access services locally to support their treatment and recovery, reducing their need to travel and the cost implications of accessing services further away and in turn, reducing the impact on individuals' physical and emotional health.
Since launching the project at the start of the year, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. A genuine sense of community has developed through the group-based sessions, creating opportunities for individuals to build new relationships, improve confidence, and feel supported throughout their journey.
As a result of these successes, other initiatives were delivered including the Hand in Hand project in North East Lincolnshire. This new tailored physical activity programme led by a trained fitness instructor, has enabled several Cancer Prehab/Rehab participants to engage in additional wellbeing activities throughout the week supporting their mental health. The Hand in Hand programme is helping individuals improve confidence, reduce isolation, and strengthen their mental health through positive social connection and regular activity. This has since created further avenues and opportunities for participants to remain active, connected, and supported.
In North Lincolnshire the project, delivered by Get Active Stay Active, is having a massive impact on both the physical and mental health of participants. Active Humber recently visited the group and spoke with some of the participants, over a coffee and some cake, who told us why the sessions are so important.
Di from Scunthorpe told us that the project was recommended by her local GP social prescriber:
“I was diagnosed with cancer last year and after finishing chemotherapy treatment I became very down and depressed. I was in a bad place but the social prescribers told me about this group and I’ve been attending every week. When I first started I barley spoke to anyone but slowly things have got better, I’ve lost three stone in weight and my strength and mobility has improved so much. Jaime is amazing, she is friendly and welcoming and will adapt the exercises if you are struggling.”
Di’s husband Mick also attends the sessions and said:
“The change in Di has been massive and it really gives us a boost when you can see the positive change happening week after week. It helps me as well to come here and speak to people who are going through the same thing and realise you’re not on your own.”
Lead instructor Jaime told us why she feels the wellbeing benefits of the group are just as important as the physical activity:
“We wanted the group to be a safe space and for people to feel comfortable and have that peer support. The physical activity and exercise is important in terms of recovery and rebuilding strength and conditioning but the impact on mental health of both the patient and their partner is also significant and the group support each other in that respect as they are going through similar experiences.”
Final word goes to Joy from Brigg, whose husband attends the sessions but is currently in hospital. Joy says:
“I will still attend even though my husband is having treatment in hospital today. It’s a place where we can let everything out, have a rant, be listened to and also listen to other people. The support from the group is vital. Everyone is different but we’re all going through the same thing.”
In North East Lincolnshire, Creating Positive Opportunity are delivering support across three weekly sessions as part of the Cancer Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation programme, and in North Lincolnshire, Jaime’s Get Active, Stay Active CiC are delivering support across 2 weekly sessions.
If you would like to know more about the community cancer projects in North and North East Lincolnshire then contact:
Creating Positive Opportunity:
Phone: 01472 236680 or Email: stevie@mycpo.co.uk
Jaime's Get Active Stay Active:
Email: hello@jaimes.co.uk
Alternatively contact Active Humber for details: ispencer@activehumber.co.uk
