Do I have to pay for therapy?

CancerCare aims to provide access to therapy to as many people as possible in the local area. As a charity we welcome any contribution you may wish to make. Your contribution will enable us to continue to provide this vital service. Over 90% of CancerCare's work is funded by people like you who donate, fundraise or give a gift in their Will.

How many sessions can I have?

Up to 16 sessions of counselling and 10 aromatherapy sessions. Your therapist will discuss your needs in detail and will regularly review your therapy with you to see if the sessions are proving useful.

Where and when do sessions take place?

Sessions take place at one of our centres in Lancaster, Morecambe, Kendal or Barrow. Centres have various opening times, but are usually open at least one evening a week.

Some of our therapists also work from their own private practice which might be nearer to your home. We have also started to offer some sessions over the phone or online for those people who struggle to get into one of our centres.

Are your therapists qualified?

Yes. All our therapists are qualified and experienced practitioners who meet the requirements of both national and local registering bodies, and they are fully insured. They all have a wealth of experience of working with those affected by cancer and bereavement. Our therapists are paid for their work, but at a reduced rate compared to what they charge in their private practices. This is our therapists’ way of contributing to the organisation.

Can my family access CancerCare?

Yes. Anyone affected by cancer or bereavement is welcome.

Can you help me with transport?

Yes. If you are struggling to get to our centre to attend your appointment we have a team of volunteer drivers who can pick you up and take you home afterwards. Please ask a member of our Therapy Coordination Team or your therapist for more information.

How do I cancel or re-arrange a session if I find I am unable to attend?

Please give us as much notice as possible as cancellations within 48 hours of the appointment time still have to be paid for by CancerCare. Please ring or email us to cancel. Sessions cancelled within 48 hours of the appointment will be forfeited.

I would like to attend a support group – do I need to book in advance?

No. Please feel free to drop in to any of our monthly support groups.

Are you able to provide reminders about my appointments at CancerCare?

Yes, we can text you to remind you about your appointment either on the day or the day before. Just ask your therapist about this service. This can be really helpful when you have a number of appointments to remember, and it keeps our cancellation costs down.

Could I have more than one therapy at a time?

We do not recommend seeing more than one therapist at a time as we often have waiting lists for our services and we want to ensure that we are meeting as many clients’ needs as possible.

Are my personal details held securely and in confidence?

Yes, your details are kept on a secure database. They are confidential within CancerCare and you can ask to see them by writing to the Director of Client Services at CancerCare.

I have mental health difficulties. Will I be able to access CancerCare?

Yes. However, if you are receiving psychological support elsewhere then we would not be able to offer you counselling.

Does CancerCare receive funding from my local NHS or government?

Our local NHS Trust provides only a small percentage of our funding so voluntary donations are the single most important source of income for CancerCare.

I would like to make a regular donation to CancerCare. How do I go about this?

The easiest and quickest way to make a regular donation to CancerCare is by setting up a monthly direct debit. You can do so by completing the form below. We are a registered charity and are therefore very grateful for any contribution you can afford.

Click here to find out how you can make a donation.