Human connection makes the difference
Both the survey and the focus groups pointed to the same thing: the human connection we provide. Participants valued peer support, lived experience, welcoming environments and compassionate relationships that work alongside their clinical care.
Reaching people earlier
The research also showed that we could reach people sooner after a cancer diagnosis. Many participants said awareness of support is still low. They stressed the importance of strong partnerships with NHS teams, hospitals, GPs and community organisations, so people are connected to support when they need it most.
We will use the findings to guide future services and are already developing our ‘Living Well Pathway’ to help us reach more people earlier (read more about this below). And we will keep working closely with clients, healthcare partners and local communities to provide evidence-based, person-centred support.
Our new ‘Living Well’ service, launching in early 2027
In part as a result of our research, Wessex Cancer Support will offer two clear support pathways in future. The first will continue what we have always done best: specialist one-to-one services including counselling and complementary therapies, delivered by trained staff at our Centres (insert hyperlink). The second is new – our Living Well Pathway – which will focus on helping people build wellbeing, independence and connection as they navigate life with and beyond cancer. This includes peer support groups, physical activity, volunteering opportunities and links to local community activities, increasingly delivered closer to where people live.
This change is about reaching more people. Wessex Cancer Support has recognised that by running both types of support through the same teams in the same locations, there’s a natural limit to how many people we can help. By creating two distinct pathways, we can grow both services, make it clearer to people which type of support is right for them and, ultimately, reach significantly more people across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. The Living Well Pathway will be designed to be community-based and accessible – meeting people where they are, rather than requiring them to travel to one of our Centres. And of course, all activities under the new model will continue to meet the same high standards of governance and safeguarding that run through everything Wessex Cancer Support does. Preparations are already under way, with the full rollout planned for January 2027. Watch this space for further updates as our plans progress.
