As part of our 45th anniversary celebrations, Wessex Cancer Support welcomed Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth East, to our Bournemouth Cancer Support Centre on Thursday 19th February. The visit was a meaningful Parliamentary acknowledgement of our enduring contribution to free cancer support services across the south of England.
Founded in 1981, Wessex Cancer Support has grown from a small local initiative into one of the region’s most trusted cancer support organisations, providing free services to thousands of people living with cancer and their families every year. Ms Toale’s visit to the Bournemouth Centre was a fitting opportunity to see that work first-hand and to recognise its importance to the local community.
During her visit, Ms Toale met with some of our staff and volunteers and learned about the full range of services available at the Bournemouth Centre – from one-to-one counselling and peer support programmes to complementary therapies including art groups, reiki and yoga. She also heard about the charity’s varied fundraising activities, including the exciting inaugural ‘Icewalk’ event coming up in April.
“A cancer diagnosis is life-changing for a person and their family, and it’s not always clear where you can go to talk to others going through the same thing. It was lovely to visit Wessex Cancer Support and learn more about what they do for people at all stages of their cancer journeys, particularly after treatment ends – from 1-to-1 counselling and group sessions to art groups, reiki and yoga. We’re lucky to have such good services in the local area.”
Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth East
Amanda Ovey, our Regional Fundraiser for Dorset, was delighted to introduce Ms Toale to the team at the Bournemouth Cancer Support Centre.
“We are very grateful that our local MP took the time to come and visit us. Not only does it mean a great deal to our staff and volunteers, but it sends a clear signal to all those we support that this is an important issue – one that has the Government’s attention. In our 45th anniversary year, and following so closely the publication of the National Cancer Care Plan, we are hopeful this will herald an ever-closer collaboration between the NHS and cancer support charities like us.”
Amanda Ovey, our Regional Fundraiser for DorsetThe MP’s visit to Bournemouth coincided with another special celebration: on the same day, the Mayor of Eastleigh and fellow Councillors were visiting Wessex Cancer Support’s headquarters in Chandler’s Ford, exploring the services offered there and marking 45 years of cancer support across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Dorset.
Established in 1981, Wessex Cancer Support provides free counselling, complementary therapies, and peer support to anyone affected by cancer — whether newly diagnosed, in treatment, or living beyond cancer. Our services are open to patients, family members, carers and friends across the south of England.
To find out more about our free cancer support services in Bournemouth and across Dorset and Hampshire, please get in touch with your nearest Wessex Cancer Support centre.