Three-year partnership boost for cancer patients
More than 350 county cancer patients have been supported back into ‘normal life’ thanks to a rehabilitation partnership between Lingen Davies and local health experts.
The iCan Cancer Rehabilitation course, is funded as part of a three-year agreement with the dedicated team of professionals at Shrewsbury-based LifeStyle Fitness. Launched in the summer of 2022 the free-to-access course involves an initial five-week programme to help people rebuild or maintain physical fitness, as well as learn more about nutrition, fatigue management, wellbeing, and mindfulness.
In-person sessions are currently delivered in Shrewsbury, Telford, and Oswestry, and will be rolled out in Mid Wales soon. People can also opt to attend online.
Gareth Mapp, Director of Lifestyle Fitness which delivers ICan, said: “We believe ICan should be a key part of everyone’s treatment. We are there to support them physically and mentally. All of the evidence proves how important a programme like this is to help those living with and beyond cancer. It gives people confidence and improves their wellbeing, and the chance to form friendships with others going through it.
“The shared experience is very important,” he added.
Patient Ruth Hall from Shrewsbury was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2022 after finding a lump in her breast, she discovered ICan in May 2023.
“I felt a little bit unsure walking in the room, I didn’t really know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised,” she said.
“The exercises are the sort of thing you can do at home, nothing too strenuous. Everyone’s been very encouraging, and I’ve found it very motivating to be reminded that I can do this.”
Lynne Jones, from Bomere Heath, has had two separate cancer diagnoses, and has most recently been treated for NonHodgkins Lymphoma, completing her chemotherapy earlier this Summer.
“I’ve injured myself previously exercising at home and it’s important to me to stay active so I was I was very proactive finding exercise during my treatment. I finished my chemotherapy three weeks before I came along to ICan. By week three my confidence in my physical abilities had grown, and I was able to get out and about. I was too afraid to do that before ICan because I didn’t feel I could trust my body.
“It’s been an absolute game changer. I’m more than happy with the ICan course, I tell everyone about it, it’s so effective,” she added.
Emma Backhouse, Interim CEO of Lingen Davies, said when the ICan programme was presented to Lingen Davies it was a perfect fit for funding and supporting the charity’s work.
“We exist to enhance the situation for those going through treatment – and living with it and beyond. We want to make the transition for people readjusting to a ‘normal’ life as easy as possible and the ICan programme takes a well-planned, structured and holistic approach to the rehabilitation of many people.
“We’re delighted to have been able to support this many people so far and would encourage anyone impacted by cancer to get in touch with the team and take part themselves,” she said.
Self-referral is available onto the ICan course – as well as through medical support. For more information about the free-to-access course email [email protected]
