Personalised Care, Supporting What Matters To You

Access our learning and development resource hub, for staff in South Yorkshire supporting individuals affected by cancer, by clicking the link below:

For information about support services available to you in South Yorkshire if you are affected by cancer, click the link below:

Person-Centred Support

Psychosocial support for people affected by cancer in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw

A cancer diagnosis can affect every part of life – not just for the person diagnosed but also for their loved ones. It can impact your physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing, as well as your relationships and daily life.

Feeling overwhelmed or distressed following a cancer diagnosis is completely normal and many people experience anxiety, low mood, or other emotional challenges. Some may also face difficulties in their personal or social lives.

That’s where psychosocial support comes in. This type of support focuses on your overall wellbeing – helping you manage how you’re feeling, how you’re coping and any practical or emotional challenges you may be facing.

Depending on your needs, support might include
  • Talking therapies, such as one-to-one or group sessions with a trained therapist
  • Counselling, to help you process emotions and find ways to cope
  • Information and education, to help you understand what’s happening and how to manage it
  • Spiritual or faith-based support, if that’s important to you
  • Peer support, where you can connect with others who’ve had similar experiences

“We wouldn’t give people chemotherapy without anti-sickness drugs, so why would we treat someone with a disease which clearly has significant psychological impact, without offering psychological support?”

Dr Matthew Williams, Consultant Clinical Oncologist,
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

What Matters To You

In April 2022, the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance began looking at how well emotional and practical support was being provided to people affected by cancer across Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. The aim was to spot any gaps or inequity in support so that improvements could be made. This work was shaped by input from a wide range of professionals and, importantly, from people who have experienced cancer themselves.