START Newsletter Summer 2017
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WHO ARE THE SWALLOWS?<br />
We chose the name ‘The Swallows’ because many<br />
head and neck patients have problems with<br />
swallowing, during and following treatment.<br />
Based in Blackpool and reach out to all corners<br />
of the UK we offer fantastic support 24/7 and<br />
will signpost if that’s what you need. The Charity<br />
is run by patients, carers, family and friends, so<br />
everyone understands the problems when you are diagnosed with Head and Neck<br />
Cancer.<br />
“THE<br />
SWALLOWS<br />
ARE PROUD TO SAY<br />
WE HAVE<br />
GONE FROM<br />
STRENGTH TO<br />
STRENGTH<br />
IN NECK CANCER<br />
SUPPORT ON A<br />
LOCAL, REGIONAL,<br />
NATIONAL AND<br />
INTERNATIONAL<br />
PLATFORM”<br />
HOW DID IT ALL <strong>START</strong>?<br />
In 2010 the support group started as a small group<br />
of patients meeting to discuss how they were<br />
dealing with any issues and to share stories. A<br />
lovely lady called Wendy Hepworth (patient) lead<br />
the group with the help of Jo Ashton, CNS.<br />
Then early in 2011 with the help and vision of Chris<br />
Curtis who took the group to full charity status in<br />
November 2011.<br />
The charity will be forever grateful for the initial<br />
foresight and work Wendy and Jo put in during 2010 to get the support group<br />
going.<br />
It is important to say while the charity now helps with Awareness, Signposting,<br />
Campaigns and Fundraising it will never lose<br />
the reason it all started in 2010 and that is<br />
‘SUPPORTING patients both locally and now<br />
nationally’.<br />
WHAT DO WE DO?<br />
• Help each other and anyone else who is<br />
affected, directly or indirectly, by Head &<br />
Neck cancer.<br />
• Offer one to one or group support.<br />
• Be available in Clinics to help patients and<br />
carers.<br />
• Advise on locating reliable literature,<br />
information and locally available resources.<br />
• Signpost links to other groups in different areas and recommend trusted<br />
websites for people at home.<br />
• Raise funds for items to help both patients and carers.<br />
• 24/7 help line answered by patients and carers, offering a like-minded person to<br />
talk to.<br />
• Support hospitals throughout the UK.<br />
If you’d like us<br />
to feature your<br />
Support Group<br />
in our next<br />
issue then get<br />
in touch via the<br />
details on the<br />
back page.<br />
MONTHLY PATIENT & CARERS MEETING<br />
Our patient and carers meeting is held every second Wednesday of the month,<br />
starting at 7pm. It is an opportunity to meet other like- minded people and share<br />
experiences.<br />
If you would like to join, contact us via:<br />
www.theswallows.org.uk<br />
Office: 01253 428 940<br />
Mobile: 07779 169 833<br />
info@theswallows.org.uk<br />
ENQUIRIES@IPL.UK.COM | 0115 975 4074 | WWW.SPIROTECT.COM<br />
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