Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton are pleased to have signed a new partnership agreement with Macmillan Cancer Support, to provide services across Bury.
Macmillan Cancer Support was established in 1911 to provide specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer and their relatives.
The Citizens Advice service was founded in 1939 and gives people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward — whoever they are, whatever their problem.
We’re pleased to be working with Macmillan Cancer Support with a new partnership to increase welfare benefits, advice and casework provided to those individuals and families impacted by cancer.
The project is aimed at giving financial security to people affected by cancer, in order to help them address costs arising from their diagnoses such as giving up work, care needs and increased energy costs. The aim is to support the improvement of their health and overall quality of life.
The project will:
- Help people understand and apply for welfare benefits
- Access other forms of financial relief, such as blue badges and travel discounts
- Challenge unfair or incorrect benefit decisions
- Apply for one-off Macmillan grants to cover the cost of essentials
- Refer people to further support with debt, housing, community care and more
Advice will be delivered within the Bury Hospice and Fairfield Hospital settings, plus other channels to suit each person, including telephone, email and face-to-face, either in-person (in office or outreach) or via video. Advisers will also work closely with healthcare professionals and other agencies to provide an integrated service, increasing patients’ capacity to cope with the many wider consequences of cancer.
Richard Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton said:
“Being treated for cancer and cancer-related illnesses is an emotional and stressful time for individuals and their families. Working directly in hospitals and care services, this service means those who need support get it when needed. We’re pleased to be able to bring this service to Bury and help alleviate some worries and thus allow them to focus on their own health and wellbeing.”