TO provide practical advice, reduce feelings of isolation and boost self-esteem, cancer charity offers Virtual ‘group’ Workshops online.
23/04/2020: Every day, people continue to be diagnosed with cancer. For many, the combination of the two “C’s”, cancer and Covid 19, provides an exceptional challenge to their mental and physical well-being.
That is why national cancer support charity Look Good Feel Better has launched its Virtual Workshops aimed at people undergoing treatment for any type of cancer, reaching out to provide vital emotional and practical support.
Online group workshops, hosted by trained experts, help people combat the visible side effects of their cancer treatment, such as the loss of brows and lashes and often debilitating skin changes. Each separate session provides a safe, welcoming and most of all fun environment to learn skin-care and make up skills. Most importantly, they also provide an important opportunity to chat, share experiences and feel supported at this very challenging time.
Joanne, who took part in the first Virtual Workshop, says:
‘It was so helpful to communicate with women in a similar situation. The lessons were useful in reminding us how to apply make-up and how to stay hygienic. It was also reassuring to know that there are organisations such as Look Good Feel Better which are still functioning and which are caring for people with cancer. It made a real difference to me and gave my confidence a real boost.’
In May, the charity will launch men’s virtual sessions – reflecting their very successful Skin Fitness Workshops – focussing on skin issues, sun care, hygiene and shaving techniques during cancer treatment. These will be supported by professional wet shave expert and Look Good Feel Better Ambassador, Mark Sproston, aka The Shave Doctor.
For 25 years Look Good Feel Better workshops in over 140 locations across the UK have proven that group sessions are incredibly positive for people living with cancer. Now, during this crisis, cancer patients are very likely to be feeling even more isolated, often frightened and incredibly stressed. The new Virtual Workshops help alleviate all that negativity whilst giving them back a degree of control and raising their confidence levels.
Regular workshops for up to eight participants are available by signing up at www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk.
Sarahjane Robertson, CEO of Look Good Feel Better, says:
‘These unprecedented times are challenging for us all. However, for those diagnosed with cancer, this could feel truly overwhelming. Currently, we are unable to offer our workshops in hospitals and cancer centres but we still want to continue to provide what we know is an important service for those undergoing cancer treatment. With our Virtual Workshops, we can reach out and provide not only practical advice but reassure people they are definitely not alone at this extremely challenging time.’’
Maureen Royston-Lee, Lead Consultant Counselling Psychologist at The Harley Street Clinic, recently said of the charity:
‘Without exception, all patients referred to Look Good Feel Better say it is a brilliant, nurturing experience. They feel they are having some joy put back into their life and I think the term ‘facing the world’ is very apt here. This is a service we are very lucky to offer.’
And this support is needed now more than ever.
