The Macmillan Horizon Centre is a partnership project between the Sussex Cancer Fund, Macmillan Cancer Support and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals. The Horizon Centre was designed with input from people affected by cancer to make it the best place to offer the support and services that people in Sussex need. The centre offers all round support from a team of specialists in a calm, friendly and welcoming environment.
The Sussex Cancer Fund asked BSUH and Macmillan to work with them on delivering this exceptional facility and now has been open for 3 years.
The Celebration
The video below shows what Dr David Bloomfield, Consultant Oncologist & Chairman of the Sussex Cancer Fund had to say at the 3rd Birthday celebration.
Here is a sample of how the centre has supported people so far*:
Volunteers
Over the last three years, volunteers have given over 36, 000 hours of their time to support people affected by cancer.
Information and Signposting
It’s crucial the centre makes everyone aware of the extra help we offer. We had 13, 224 visits or calls to our information area.
Welfare benefits
2887 referrals have been made, to give advice and information about tax credits and benefits. £3.92 million worth of benefits and grants for clients.
Complementary therapies
3691 appointments for people living with cancer, their carers and family members, giving them the benefit of relaxing complementary therapies.
Body Image
357 appointments and spaces on workshops to help people cope with the physical changes of treatment and, through wig and makeup workshops, to feel like themselves again.
Cafe
38,891 visits to the cafe where people can relax and enjoy a chat over a cuppa.
Social activity
318 attendances at social activities, such as an art session and coffee morning. The activities are a chance to meet others and relax.
Counselling/psychological therapy
Over 800 appointments for people for both one-to-one and group therapy sessions. These can help people feel more in control, during and after their cancer treatment.
Cooking workshops
230 places in cooking workshops to help build people’s confidence and awareness of the benefits of healthy eating.
Peer support
9,181 contacts for people through one-to-one outreach and centre-run groups. Knowing everyone is in the same boat can really help.
Physical activity
3055 places have been filled by people trying out different regular physical activities such as yoga and pilates. These may ease the side effects and make things feel more positive.
If you would like to help us support more cancer patients in Sussex, please donate.
* Thank you Macmillan Cancer Support for the latest statistics.
