A leading charity has said its new cancer support centre will bring vital care and support to communities across the north east.
Clan has set up a dedicated base at the Crimond Medical and Community Hub with the aim of helping people living in rural areas.
The village facility was officially opened yesterday and will offer drop-in sessions, free advice and information to anyone affected by cancer, including friends, family and carers.
It has rooms for one-to-one support like counselling, support for children, teenagers and families, a library and information service and access to complementary therapies.
Dr Colette Backwell, the chief executive of Clan Cancer Support, said the move was important so they can offer help to those living in the north-east’s smaller communities.
She said: “Clan’s great strength is the fact that we provide cancer support services for people as close to their local communities as we can.
“So we then they are finished with hospital we aim to have something nearby tp provide emotional support, counselling or complimentary therapies to get them through their cancer journey.
“In a place like Crimond, Peterhead or Fraserburgh obviously they are a bit more remote from the city and there are challenges when it comes to travelling, but by creating this facility the Crimond Charitable Trust have provided a hub for this area.
“What Clan intends to do is provide outreach from this centre to GP practices and libraries in Peterhead, Fraserburgh and other towns.
“We can be very fleet of foot and we are able to respond to demand.”
Dr Backwell said the base at Crimond replicates what they already do at their headquarters in Aberdeen’s Westburn Road, but on a smaller scale.
She hopes the new services will be well used.
“We have a dedicated space for our children and families service, another for counselling and yet another for therapies,” she said.
“Anyone can drop-in at any time and be met by a volunteer or a member of staff and have a chat.”
Conrad Ritchie, chairman of Crimond Charitable Trust, said: “We are delighted that Clan Cancer Support is now operational within the Crimond Medical and Community Hub.
“The services provided by the charity will complement the medical practice and benefit the local communities that are served by this facility.”
Initially the Clan facility will open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10am to 4pm, with the option of expanding services further in the future if there is demand.
