Tea & Talk at Toby’s has received £1,000 from Brentwood à Beckett Rotary Club. The donation was announced at one of their monthly meetings at Toby’s Carvery in Brentwood. The group is open to anyone living with cancer and family and friends who have been affected by the diagnosis regardless of where they live. It is facilitated by staff and volunteers from the Saint Francis Hospice OrangeLine service
Mr Greg Roberts, Chairman of the Community, Social and Voluntary committee with the rotary club said:
“Brentwood a Beckett Rotary rotary club has been involved with this group since the beginning. Our member Anne Bender was involved in founding it and we gave a donation towards the initial set up costs.”
“The decision to continue funding was not a difficult one. I came along to the group two months ago and was so impressed by the work they were doing that when I took the case to the committee the decision was passed by a unanimous vote.”
“The Brentwood à Beckett Rotary Club wants to see this service maintained and developed for the people of Brentwood and the surrounding areas.”
Karen Freeman, OrangeLine Project Co-ordinator said:
“There were seven people at the first meeting in September 2016, today we have a group of 20, with nine people coming for the first time so we could not be happier or prouder of how the group is growing.”
Jennifer, one of the newcomers, said:
“Once you have been diagnosed with cancer you are never out at the other end, you just need time because every niggle or pain is a concern. You wonder, is it related to the cancer?”
“Even though I finished my treatment, I still tear up when I talk about it, but it really helps to talk, especially in a supportive environment like this.”
David Jobbins has been coming to the group since it started. He says:
“You have the opportunity to talk about anything. We move seamlessly from conversations about newspapers and current affairs to discussions about symptoms and care.”
“The fantastic thing about this group is that it is about getting and giving support, we are all equal here. We are all trying to reconcile ourselves with a very daunting experience. Coming here is now an important part of my month, it is an opportunity to socialise, to find mutual support and to talk in a supported environment. The longer I come the less I talk about my condition or care; I have created friendships here now.”
For more information visit Saint Francis Hospice
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