Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation Supports Buddy Service

IRWIN MITCHELL CHARITIES FOUNDATION BUDDIES UP WITH CAVENDISH CANCER CARE TO SUPPORT MORE LOCAL PEOPLE AFFECTED BY CANCER

Cavendish Cancer Care has been awarded over £11,000 from the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation (IMCF) to fund a ‘buddy’ service for cancer patients and their families.

The Cavendish Cancer Care Buddies Service provides people affected by cancer with flexible, long-term peer support delivered by volunteers who have themselves been affected by cancer. The buddies are ‘matched’ with a client and then provide regular support through telephone calls and messaging for as long as it’s needed. The service already supports 75 clients per year but is hoping to use the new funding to reach even more people.

Emma Draper, Chief Executive at Cavendish Cancer Care, said; “We’re thrilled to receive such a generous grant from the IMCF in support of our buddy service. It really is a vital lifeline for many of our clients, just knowing they have someone to talk to who really understands what they are going through. This funding will enable us to develop the service further, recruit and train more buddies and reach more people affected by cancer in South Yorkshire.”

Kate Fergusson, Head of Responsible Business, at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Through the IMCF, our colleagues can support a range of good causes that matter to them in the communities in which we live and work. It’s a pleasure to be able to see this grant put to such good use by Cavendish Cancer Care.

“We’re determined to continue working in partnership with the IMCF and those delivering vital services, helping them to flourish and bringing hope and wellbeing to those who need it most. We’re looking forward to seeing how the buddy service develops and reaches more people in the years ahead.”

The Cavendish Cancer Buddies are all volunteers and can understand what it is like to deal with a cancer diagnosis as a patient, as a partner or family member. They receive in-depth training to help them support clients whilst also looking after their own wellbeing. Cavendish Cancer Care was established in 1991 to provide support to people affected by cancer via complementary therapies and counselling. More recently the charity has expanded to offer online groups, courses and a buddy service as well as delivering one to one support on hospital wards across Sheffield.

The Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation (IMCF), is an independent charity founded in 1997 that has now raised over £3 million for good causes in the UK and abroad. This includes supporting local and national charities, topping up the personal fundraising efforts of colleagues and donating to homeless charities and foodbanks.

Eleven charities, including Cavendish Cancer Care, were selected for support from the IMCF Fund, which was launched in 2022 to mark the IMCF’s 25th anniversary, to promote access to education, employment, justice and wellbeing in the communities where Irwin Mitchell employees are based.