CANCER patients are being given access to advice about ways to ease financial strains through a new
partnership.
Barnet’s Citizens’ Advice Bureau and the Macmillan Cancer Care have joined forces for the project, which had its official launch at Barnet Hospital, in Wellhouse Lane.
The Barnet Citizens’ Advice Bureau Macmillan Welfare Benefits Project allows people from Barnet, Enfield and Haringey, who are affected by cancer to receive advice about welfare benefits.
Project manager Adele Stowe-Lindner said that clients so far had been highly appreciative of the service. She said: “Every carer or patient who comes to our service has a difficult, emotional story to tell. The letters of thanks that we receive from patients, carers and nurses show how specialist advice can help to ease the cost of cancer.”
Advice is given to clients impartially and confidentially at no charge and can be given either over the phone or at an outreach appointment offered at various hospitals and hospices in the area.
Speaking of the project’s creation, Barnet CAB chief executive Tim Clark said: “This project was a long time coming and we have created something which responds to the needs of residents and its popularity is proof of how important it is.
“It also continues to place the CAB very much at the forefront of advice provision throughout the borough, and as a powerful advocate for all those who are disadvantaged by an inability to access the advice they need.”
Since opening earlier this year, 260 people affected by cancer have contacted the project team for advice and the team has been able to assist clients in accessing more than £360,000 worth of welfare benefits to ease financial burdens during a time when they may not be able to work.
Barnet mayor Lisa Rutter said: “Being diagnosed with cancer can be a traumatic time in anyone’s life without having the added worry of how to pay for the bills. I wish this worthwhile project every success.”
If you are a cancer patient interested in accessing the service call 020 8440 4227
