These are challenging times we live in. I don’t think any of us could have predicted the state of the world at this time in our lives. COVID-19 has had a major impact on the way we all go about our daily lives and indeed the way we do business. Cancer Support Scotland is no exception. Our face to face support has been suspended; however, in the space of two weeks we have transformed into delivering self-help through sound clouds and online worksheets as well as delivering digital & telephone counselling.
That being said, for the last year we have been working round the clock to develop a new strategy, Here For Your Wellbeing, and a refreshed brand. In partnership with the amazing Denvir Marketing we have agreed that the world needs some good news just now so we are launching on 27th March 2020, as planned.
We are proud of our journey so far but as Scotland’s wellbeing champions for those affected by cancer we know there is much more to be done. In the 1980s, our founder, Professor Sir Kenneth Calman was a pioneer and our first wellbeing champion. He believed we were essential to ensuring the wellbeing of those affected by cancer was fully understood by the wider medical community and could then be supported. As we launch our new strategy, we take note of our past and look forward to how we can develop further.
We are calling for a decade of action in Scotland to help reduce inequalities and the impact cancer can have on someone’s mental health. We believe that everyone affected by cancer in Scotland should have access to high quality wellbeing services. As Scotland’s leading charity for counselling, podiatry, stress management and complementary therapy we believe it’s our duty to stand up, call for support and lead the action.
To succeed for the 260,000 people (and rising) affected by cancer in Scotland, we know we cannot do it alone and need the support of others. Those affected by cancer need wellbeing to be a key part of the Scottish Government’s Cancer Strategy. With more people living beyond cancer diagnosis and treatment, this neglected area is vital.
Those affected by cancer require workplaces to be caring and compassionate, by ensuring they provide the tools for employees to stay in work where possible and support their wellbeing and the wellbeing of their colleagues. Those affected by cancer need wellbeing services to receive the serious investment required to ensure high quality services are available and accessible across the whole of Scotland.
We have been tested for over 40 years and Cancer Support Scotland has the experience and passion to deliver. We know this strategy is ambitious however we also know that those affected by cancer urgently need support. Please keep an eye out on our social media and we would encourage you to share the strategy . Our new website is a cracker!
The world needs some good news and this is a great news story.
Rob Murray is Chief Executive of Cancer Support Scotland.
