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L2226 CANDU (Dundee Cancer Support Network) SCIO

Proposal code: CONSUL-2023-02-29

Short breaks for families affected by cancer

CANDU are a group of cancer patients and survivors from the Dundee area who are passionate about facilitating access to activities which are about supporting others to live the best life possible and focus on encouraging a good quality of life with cancer. This includes patients undergoing active treatment, survivors, patients in palliative and end of life care and family members who are in a caring role or are bereaved through cancer.

We facilitate a patient-led Network which brings together representatives of cancer support services in Dundee and people with a lived experience of cancer to explore unmet needs and create innovative and collaborative solutions to meet these needs. We have established a variety of practical resources and support opportunities for cancer patients in the local community, including complementary therapies, care parcel deliveries, home visits, help with transport, wellbeing check-ins, faceto- face, online and telephone counselling & listening support, Living Well with Cancer mindfulness classes, designed to support emotional and mental wellbeing, arts & crafts activities and social support gatherings and peer support/lived experience activities. We are applying for funds to allow us to provide free short breaks for local families affected by cancer at a 2 bedroom holiday lodge in Wood Leisure Holiday Park, Blairgowrie. The lodge is owned by a CANDU member who is a lung cancer patient and who recognises the benefit of this opportunity for supporting emotional and mental wellbeing for patients and their family and carers. A grant of £2000 would allow us to facilitate a short break (up to 3 nights) for 35 families who would not normally have the opportunity. Priority will be given to those who are the most vulnerable ie. patients with a late stage diagnosis, those living alone and those experiencing financial disadvantage.

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