TWO charities have joined forces to provide specialist help and support for people affected by brain tumours for local people in Devon and Cornwall.

Bristol based charity Brain Tumour Support (formerly Hammer Out) and Macmillan Cancer Support have established a three year partnership, appointing six Brain Tumour Support workers across the South West and Midlands.

St Austell based Julie Liddle is one of the support workers, and has been in post since June covering the Devon and Cornwall catchment area.

Like her counterparts, Julie has been trained by Brain Tumour Support's existing team of support workers and counsellors. Julie said; “Since starting my role, I’ve been helping Brain Tumour Support to become more visible and accessible to those who need its help within the community I cover.

“The support that I provide is diverse, ranging from practical help, for example finding hospital accommodation for relatives and friends to stay in while their loved one has surgery through to providing information leaflets on a subject which is confusing and complicated, such Understanding Brain Tumours, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy etc. However, much of what I do is simply listening and being there for people when they need someone. No two people will have the same experience so my aim is to tailor the support to meet the patient, carer and their loved ones needs, where possible.

“I run monthly support groups in Cornwall which alternate between Truro and Liskeard and one in Exeter, all of which are open to all who have sadly embarked on a brain tumour journey. Whether you are the patient, carer, family member or friend these can be helpful in providing you with an opportunity to talk with people who are on a similar journey. To access help please contact me on 07711 597165 or the Support Services line (local rate) on 0845 450 1039.”

Brain Tumour Support's Founder and CEO Tina Mitchell Skinner says; “Each year some 16,000 people in the UK will be diagnosed with a brain tumour, with complex physical, practical, psychological and emotional implications for both patients and those closest to them. Our new partnership with Macmillan is helping us to expand the level of support we can offer to those people, and increase face to face support which is one of our key services.”

Maggie Crowe, Macmillan Development Manager added; “We have been working with Brain Tumour Support for many years, and this latest venture is a great addition to our partnership. By funding these posts, we hope that nobody in the Midlands and South West will have to face a brain tumour diagnosis alone.”

More information is available from Rosemary Wormington, Brain Tumour Support's Head of Support on 01454 414355. If you have any worries or questions about cancer, visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call Macmillan free on 0808 808 00 00.