Cancer Connections offers free counselling to key workers during coronavirus pandemic

Cancer Connections, based on Harton Lane, South Shields, has announced that key workers who are on the fronline of the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to receive access its professional counselling services.

They charity provides advice and therapy services to cancer patients and their families, but now it has extended its counselling services in an effort to support the community in South Tyneside.

It will be offering its counselling services to NHS staff, including GP’s and paramedics, along with care home workers and undertakers.

The offer hopes to support those key workers who are living and/or working in South Tyneside who may be struggling to cope with the affects of the pandemic as they battle the virus on the frontline.

Until now the counselling services had only been available for cancer patients and their families through the charity.

Cancer Connections manager Deborah Roberts said: “We have a team of fully qualified and fully insured counsellors who are very skilled at what they do.

“They will work with the same confidentiality and ethics as they do with cancer patients.

“We just want to support our community in South Tyneside at this very difficult time.”

The free counselling services will be provided for six weeks and can be extended if needed.

Cancer Connections closed its doors to the public on Monday, March 16, but continues to operate remotely and provide services to cancer patients.

Staff will continue to work remotely and will be able to help clients access its services over the phone, during its normal hours of 9am to 5pm.

Only the complimentary therapy services have stopped at this time.

Those wanting to use the counselling service is asked to call the charity on: 0191 456 5081 or Deborah Roberts on: 07775028464.

Counselling appointments can be made within 24 hours after contacting the charity.

The charity is also asking anyone who wants to make a donation to do so on JustGiving, Virgin Money Giving or over the phone.

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