Understandably, a cancer diagnosis can come as a shock and be frightening, taking a toll not only on an individual’s physical wellbeing but also their emotional and social state. While the support of family and friends is fundamental, individuals may feel unable to share their fears and emotions, leading to a feeling of isolation.
Charlie Charlie One supports serving personnel, reservists, veterans and families affected by cancer. The charity seeks to provide confidential support, information and advice, by enabling those affected to speak to someone who can personally relate to military life and the treatment they are facing.
Veteran Stuart Roberts (main photo), founder of Charlie Charlie One, said: “Family and friends are essential to helping you tackle everything that cancer throws at you, but sometimes you just need someone else. Someone with similar stories to you, someone that you can relate to and someone that relates back.” Charlie Charlie One can offer support in a number of ways:
- Peer support is provided through a network of volunteers, who are themselves serving or veterans who have been diagnosed with cancer. The volunteers cover a wide range of cancers, stages and treatment pathways. This does not seek to replace formal medical or clinical advice, but instead provides access to someone who can listen and relate to the situation, therefore avoiding the feeling of isolation.
- Signposting to other national, regional and local organisations that are able to provide specialist guidance and information relevant to managing the condition.
- The charity also engages with public healthcare and agencies to provide information, education and non-clinical advice.
Often, the families of those who have been diagnosed and are undergoing treatment also find themselves in an equally daunting and worrying situation, similarly they also need support and advice.
If you would like further information or to volunteer, go to charliecharlie.one or email info@charliecharlie.one