Pembrokeshire Cancer Support is based in Pembroke Dock on Victoria Street on the way to South Pembs. Hospital. It is a charity set up and run for the support of Pembrokeshire people affected with cancer - both sufferers, families and carers alike. The property is open five days a week from 9 am - 4.30 pm with a 24/7 telephone answer service. Open house is the key to Pembrokeshire Cancer Support, with the kettle always on for a quick cuppa, a friendly face, a listening ear and support from both the skilled support workers always on duty and other cancer patients. Groups are held around the county on a monthly basis, with the one in Tenby held at the Tenby Cottage Hospital on the first Wednesday and one in Narberth held at The Health Centre, Northfield Road on the second Monday. Both these groups are relatively new and welcome new faces to widen the support patients can offer each other. There are many ways that people can benefit from this organisation. As mentioned, the centre in Pembroke Dock is open weekdays - during this time they offer a varied programme including relaxation/ meditation, complementary therapies, support sessions, lunch and a ladies only meeting for the younger members on a monthly basis. All facilities offered are widely supported with various areas of cancer seen amongst members - male and female alike. They also offer a home visiting service as part of their outreach programme. This ensures that all cancer patients can receive the support they need. Last but not least they have close links with the local health trust and man a help desk in the main thoroughfare at Withybush Hospital. Anyone who wishes to contact them and find out more about their work in the community may find them there on Thursdays - privacy can be arranged for more personal contact. Please feel free to speak to either Barbara or Gill - two of the support workers - who are normally on duty there. As a special treat they usually arrange for a group of support workers/members to visit the National Cancer Conference for Self Help Groups on an annual basis. This visit is extremely valuable to both the delegates and the members back home as much up-to-date information is given at the conference and can be relayed upon return. Often ground breaking news is shared at the conference, which is attended by all the major cancer groups, eg: Macmillan, Cancer Research UK and Bristol Cancer Help Centre, together with prominent government and healthcare professionals. The photograph shows the latest group to visit the conference in June. As a charity they rely heavily on the revenue generated from their Charity Shop in Meyrick Street, Pembroke Dock. This is the main source of income as well as other fund-raising activities volunteers organise throughout the year. Collections are made at local supermarkets and they recently conducted a 'house to house' collection in various neighbourhoods throughout the county. However, membership is entirely free of charge to all those affected by cancer. The group is aiming to raise local awareness of this valuable service for all those people in the community who are living with cancer. They realise the importance of support, not just to the patient, but to relatives and friends whose lives are impacted so strongly when the diagnosis of cancer is given to a loved one. Although they do not give medical advice, they have a wealth of contacts for all areas of care - both emotional, practical and financial. The telephone number for all enquiries is 01646 683078 and they offer a warm welcome to all prospective new members.