I LOVE a good mooch around Ashton’s indoor and outdoor markets. There’s always something different from the usual supermarket products and it feels good to support our small local businesses.
The Wellbeing Corner at the indoor market plays host every other Wednesday to our friends at the Tameside and Glossop Macmillan information and support team.
You can pop by and talk to them about all aspects of living with cancer and there’s a private room so you can chat in confidence.
Tania Armstrong, Macmillan information and support assistant, mans the stall along with cancer care co-ordinators Kelly Ward and Megan Horan.
They can put you in touch with support groups and social events, as well as signpost to physiotherapy, financial and benefits advice, complementary therapies, counselling, exercise classes and even volunteers if people need them.
They understand that some people will have been reticent about visiting the Macmillan centre at Tameside General Hospital because of the pandemic, so wanted to get out there into the town to bring the service to the people.
At Macmillan we are still urging the public to wear masks in crowded places like shops and on public transport, and to observe social distancing. We think that by doing this we can do our bit to support those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, which includes many cancer patients.
Tania said: “It’s great to see our service getting out into the community. I would really like people to get used to the Macmillan team being at the Wellbeing Corner so they can drop in for any reason – even just a chat.
“We want to do everything we can so people affected by cancer do not feel they have to face it alone.”
The team will be there from 1030am-3.30pm on July 31, August 4, 18, September 1, 15 and October 6.
Call Tameside Macmillan Unit on 0161 922 5644 or email macmillan.info@tgh.nhs.uk