In this week's Spotlight...on Volunteers feature, we take a look at the work carried out by the Huntingdon-based Acorn Cancer Support Group
The group was set up 25 years ago by a Huntingdon cancer nurse and a community physiotherapist.
They noticed a gap in the services that the NHS could offer cancer patients, sometimes during, and certainly after treatment.
Their mission statement was to "help to alleviate the emotional and physical distress of cancer patients and their carers".
Initially it started out as a drop-in centre at a clinic in Ramsey Road, St Ives.
People were offered professional and emotional support, and the physiotherapist delivered personal relaxation therapies.
It soon became clear that a venue should be found and a team of volunteers were assembled to support patients and carers at regular monthly meetings.
The group now holds monthly meetings at venues in St Ives, Huntingdon, Bury and Ramsey.
Mainly, they try to ensure members have a change to their daily routines and entertainment, complimentary relaxation therapies such as aromatherapy, massage, reiki and reflexology are offered by qualified therapists.
Group seated exercise sessions are also delivered by qualified instructors.
Acorn says it is keen to promote the group and try to get back to pre-pandemic membership levels and increasing the numbers of people it supports means it will need more volunteers.
A spokesperson for the group said: "We would like to thanks all those who continue to support us whether financially, or by volunteering their time.
"Should anyone wish to attend our meetings, more details are to be found on our website, and please do not hesitate to contact us should you wish to be considered as a volunteer.
INFO: www.acornsupportgroup.org.uk; info@acornsupportgroup.org.uk or call: 07739 934524.
Meetings are held on the first Monday of month (not bank holidays) Bury Parish Hall, The Glebe, Meadow Lane, Ramsey. Second Wednesday of the month at The Neurotherapy Centre, (formerly the MS Centre,) Bradbury House Mayfield Road, Huntingdon. Third Wednesday of the month at St Ives Methodist Church Hall, The Waits, St Ives.
Volunteering organisations who would like to feature as part of our Spotlight campaign can get in touch at: francesca.herring@newsquest.co.uk.
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