Macmillan Cancer Support was proud to unveil its newly refurbished Information and Support Centre at The Queen’s Centre, Castle Hill Hospital, in Cottingham.
The transformation of the centre includes relocating to a bigger and more central area, merging Macmillan Information, Living With And Beyond and Health and Wellbeing into one location, which includes a new ‘quiet room’ named after a former volunteer, Ray Dove, who died during the pandemic.
The Macmillan Information and Support Centre is a free-to-use service based at The Queen’s Centre, where people who are at any point of their cancer diagnosis, or are affected by cancer, can drop by for a chat with one of Macmillan’s professionals. Such services include help with money worries, Wig and Head Wear sessions, clinical advice and signposting to cancer support groups.
The Macmillan Information Centre and ‘Ray’s Room’ itself was opened by Ray’s widow Pam and their three daughters, who were on hand at the ribbon-cutting ceremony which they were ‘really proud’ to attend. Pam said: “Ray absolutely loved volunteering at Castle Hill. He would do anything like admin work, helping to host raffles and tombolas. But his biggest love was maintaining the beautiful garden outside. We are so proud of him and were really honoured when we were asked if it would be okay to name the quiet room after him. We miss him terribly but this is a lovely legacy for Ray.”
Heather McLean, Macmillan Cancer Support’s Head of Partnerships in the North, said: “It was wonderful to welcome Ray’s family to open our refurbished Information and Support Centre. Ray was a valued and dedicated volunteer, loved by all the staff, and would be proud to have seen his name on the new quiet room which will provide a safe and quiet space for people to use. The refurbishment means we can continue to provide care and support to the many people throughout the region who need Macmillan’s services; whether that’s practical, emotional or financial. It will make a huge difference to not only our Macmillan professionals, but to the people they are supporting.
“We are only able to improve and expand services like this one at Castle Hill thanks to the amazing work of our supporters and fundraisers. There really has never been a worse time to be diagnosed with cancer, so if you could help make a difference and would like to fundraise, you can find out more at macmillan.org.uk/fundraise.”
The day also included a kind gesture from Enact Conveyancing of Hull, one of Macmillan’s corporate partners, who donated 50 care packages to people living with cancer on the oncology ward. The car packages included items such as warm socks, fragrance free toiletries and herbal teas to provide a little bit of extra comfort and support for people living with cancer.
For anyone in the area who needs support or advice, please drop by or call Claire or Tanya on 01482 461154.