hello and help!

I am so keen to find out what support there is for a single parent who has recently moved to the UK and has been terribly terribly sick and hospitalised with some really aggressive chemo coming up. Currently, she and her children are relying on me and a friend, but we cannot sustain the current level of support once we are back at work after the holidays and are really worried about her and the children's wellbeing. We are in Oxford - any organisations we should be contacting? Any support that is standard without the children going into care? Who should I approach?

  • Hello annascarlett, and a very warm welcome to Cancer Chat.

    I'm sorry to hear about your friend's diagnosis, it sounds like a really difficult time. My first thought is that you could call Macmillan to find out what support might be available for her and her children in the area. I wanted to jump in now and give you their number as they're on the end of the phone till 8pm tonight: 0808 808 00 00, but then not back till Monday. 

    They also have lots of useful information on their website if you can't get to a phone just now: Support from voluntary organisations

    I'm also including a link to the NHS choices website, which has lots of information: Your guide to care and support

    It sounds like she's really lucky to have you and your friend to help when you can, and she will hugely appreciate the steps you're taking to look into additional support. I do hope this information helps as a starting point.

    Wishing you and your friend all the very best,

    Helen

    Cancer Chat Moderator