Heads2gether
Providing information and support for head and neck cancer patients, their carers, relatives and friends.
THE NATIONAL HEAD & NECK CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
Would you like to start you own local branch of Heads2gether?
Providing support to others can be a struggle. As a thriving group we have come to realise that we could use our experience and resources to give other groups a `kick start,' an `umbrella' of assistance.
What are the problems you are likely to face and how can Heads2gether help?
Many local groups find it difficult to provide telephone support because they do not have the resources or the trained personnel. We already offer support via our telephone helpline which is manned by trained head and neck cancer survivors. We plan to improve this service soon by setting up an 0800 number, making it free to callers.
With limited resources, producing a good quality leaflet can be difficult for a small group. We intend to produce a generic version of our existing leaflet. It will carry empathetic messages, the Heads2gether web address and the new 0800 helpline number. This will also avoid the need to publish your group members’ personal phone numbers, which is safer.
Small groups often have difficulty producing good quality posters in order to publicise the group. We can also produce posters for use at a local level which also show the web address and the national helpline number. Smaller groups will be able to use this leaflet in local hospitals, waiting rooms and by handing direct to patients. Basic enquiries to the helpline or emailing the website will be dealt with by existing Heads2gether Supporters. Enquirers requesting face to face support will be put in touch with your local Supporters.
Some patients may not be able to find a support group in their area. The telephone support line will at least be able to provide a phone link to a trained head & neck Supporter from anywhere in the UK, even if no local support group exists.
Small groups can feel isolated. We will provide space on this website dedicated to your local news. Later we intend to organise a national conference with all the benefits, networking, mutual support, idea and opinion sharing.
Small groups have small voices. A national organisation could better raise awareness of head and neck cancer to members of the public and indeed health professionals, something that is clearly lacking at the moment. Greater awareness would in turn assist fundraising efforts. We would also have a greater voice and influence on matters around head and neck, treatment facilities, research funding, drug availability and other concerns of our members.
How will we carry out all this work? We will offer all the above assistance and at the same time encourage at least one local member to undergo Supporter training. So long as there is at least one trained supporter in each part of the country, a good quality support service can be offered throughout the UK, using the resources of the Heads2gether umbrella.
If you would like to talk further about forming a support group under the Heads2gether umbrella of assistance, please send us your details using the contact page. A member of the team will respond within a day or two.