Community support and wellbeing

A cancer diagnosis can affect every area of your life, and you may find you need practical, emotional, physical, financial or spiritual support to help get you through. We are here to help you find whatever kind of support you need, and sometimes this is best provided by community organisations. Finding good support close to home also has the advantage of being convenient, local and can save you time and travel costs.

If you cannot find what you need on this page, please do not hesitate to ask your Cancer Care Coordinator or Nurse Specialist, or contact the Information and Support team at the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre:

Information and Support Team 

Tel: 01423 557317
Email: hdft.cancerinformation@nhs.net

Community hubs

There are six Community Hubs covering the Harrogate and Rural District. Each one is deeply embedded in its local community and the staff have an excellent knowledge of the wide range of support and services that are available in the area. We work closely with them, and they have a good understanding of the impacts that cancer can have. They are very happy to talk to you about any kind of support that you might need – loneliness, cost of living, help with shopping and meals – whatever the problem, they will help you find a solution.

Please click on your local hub to go to their website:

Other community organisations

We also work closely with other community-based organisations, who may be able to help you with more specific types of support.

Mental health support

These are some organisations that offer a range of support with your mental wellbeing. You can also contact your GP or your Clinical Nurse Specialist team for support.

Supporting physical activity

Improving your physical fitness has great mental and physical benefits. These are some good places to start, and your local Community Hub will have details for other activities and classes close to home to suit all ages and abilities.

Support for carers

Carers Resource is the main carers charity for Harrogate and Rural District.

To access support at Carers Leeds or York Carers Centre, either the carer or the person being cared for must live within the Leeds City Council or City of York council tax area respectively.

North Yorkshire Council provides information and support on accessing adult social care via their Care Services Directory. This includes approved care homes, home care providers, sheltered housing options and much more.

North Yorkshire Council website also has support for carers:
Help and support for carers | North Yorkshire Council

Dementia

Older people

Your local Community Hub will have good knowledge of other helpful services and support.

Faith and spiritual support

HDFT hospital chaplaincy service offers pastoral, spiritual and religious care and support for patients and families.​

Firm Roots is a small Christian network in the UK, providing prayer and spiritual support for people affected by cancer, their families and friends.

Safeena is a Muslim cancer support network which offers information, guidance and support.

Chai Cancer Care is  a Jewish cancer support organisation with a local branch in Leeds, offering a wide range of support services, including financial/legal guidance, complementary therapies, counselling, physio and a home support service.

Local cancer support groups – meet in person

The Dodgy Walnut is a prostate cancer peer support group which caters more specifically for younger men. The charity’s support group meetings are open to everyone, including families of cancer patients, but their focus is on men below state pension age.

National charities