Macmillan Next Steps

A six-week programme about living a healthy life style through diet and exercise, targeting weight management The course is run by our specialist dietitian and a therapies assistant practitioner.

A physical programme which runs for one hour a week over six weeks. This course is tailored to your ability and needs and is led by our cancer specialist physiotherapists and exercise specialists who are trained to safely help you become and stay active.

• This five-week course is open to patients 12+ weeks post-transplant or high-intensity treatment. Its main aim is to help you move forward and adjust to life following treatment. The course will help you regain and possibly increase your confidence, so you:
  • feel safe and more like yourself
  • reintroduce exercise into your routine
  • manage your expectations, mood, anxiety, depression and uncertainties
  • cope with fatigue

tap into your strengths and values.

An education workshop run collaboratively with the Prostate team from Gloucestershire Hospitals NHSFT, for men diagnosed with prostate cancer who have been started on hormones as part of their treatment. The workshop covers how the hormones work, common side effects and management techniques, including diet and exercise.

A bespoke collaboration between Macmillan Next Steps Cancer Rehabilitation, the breast care nurses and Macmillan Breast Cancer Support Worker, which is offered to all people who have completed their treatment for breast cancer and have received an end-of-treatment summary.

A bespoke collaboration between Macmillan Next Steps Cancer Rehabilitation and the Gynaecology Cancer Support Worker at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHSFT, offered to all people who have completed their treatment for a gynaecology cancer.

The Breast Stretch class aims to improve range of movement and strength of the upper body following treatment for breast cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It also aims to improve knowledge of conditions such as cording, lymphoedema and scar tissue management.

Fear of cancer returning is common in those who have completed active cancer treatment. It usually lessens over time, but for some people distressing thoughts can start to feel overwhelming and get in the way of living life. This is when getting support can be hugely beneficial. The aim of the group is to help you understand more about your fear and what keeps it going, and to learn strategies for managing worries and fears.

Our specialist physiotherapy clinic provides a 1:1 opportunity to assess and treat the physical side effects of cancer treatment. This includes joint pain, cording, reduced movement, scar management, peripheral neuropathy and strengthening post-surgery.

A range of evidence-based treatments, such as manual therapy, soft tissues release, exercise, physical activity and wider resources to ensure self-management is used.

The dietetic element of the service is provided by an Oncology Specialist Dietitian. Supporting and maintaining appropriate healthy eating behaviours after a cancer diagnosis is vital for recovery and healing, as well as dealing with the effects treatment can have on a person’s nutritional status and body shape.

Tailored advice and support is given on subjects such as weight management, nutritional support and bowel dysfunction, as well as clarifying the facts and myths of diet and cancer.

Individualised training plans are developed which are appropriate to individual needs. Specific advice is given for pelvic floor management and core strengthening. The service is delivered by Level 4 cancer rehabilitation-trained senior health trainers.

The 1:1 Fatigue Management Service looks at assessing all aspects of a patient’s life to approach fatigue management in a bespoke manner. Education is provided on recognition of how a person uses their energy, what provides them with energy, and how to manage energy levels using various methods of management strategies.

A patient’s progress is assessed from start to end of their fatigue support by using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue (FACIT-F) assessment tool.

The Health and Wellbeing Facilitators give more in-depth support for individual health and wellbeing topics such as sleep, mindfulness and relaxation. Part of the role also includes the triage of new patients into service to ensure all needs are assessed and appropriate services are offered.

When: Friday, 2pm – 3pm

Location: Stratford park leisure centre, GL5 4AF

Instructor: Jason Mather

Cost: £4 per class, pay as you go

Please call us to request a telephone appointment to complete the referral process or contact us if you wish to be referred to the GP Exercise on Referral Scheme.

Macmillan Next Steps employees should use the Online Referral Form.

When: Monday, 9.30am – 10.30am

Location: Cheltehnam ladies college, GL50 2NX

Instructors: Ridhi Verma and Brendon Ward

Patient able to turn up for the class but is welcome to email Ridhi prior to attending: ridhi@firstlinephysio.co.uk

When: Friday, 9.30am – 10.30am

Location: Maggies, Cheltenham, GL53 7QB

Instructor: Jason Mather

Contact Maggies to book in: 01242 250611

If you are interested in a Health Card for Cheltenham leisure centre which allows you access to the leisure centre for a set period of time at a reduced rate please contact us on 0300 421 6586.

No cancer rehab class currently running in Cirencester. However for details of the local gym and other non-cancer related classes please contact Freedom Leisure Centre, Cirencester, GL7 1US. Telephone: 01285 654057

When: Tuesday, 11.15am – 12.15pm

Location: Charlie’s Charlie’s Centre Gloucester

Instructor: Hannah Thomas

Call 01452 939000 or 07786 547 439 to book, or by email: charlies2014@yahoo.co.uk

If you are interested in a Health Card for GL1 leisure centre which allows you access to the leisure centre for a 12-16 week period of time at a reduced rate please contact us on 0300 421 6586.

When: Monday, 6.30pm – 7.30pm

Location: Northway Hub, Tewkesbury, GL20 8QG

Instructor: Helen Yarnold

Patient able to turn up for the class but is welcome to email Helen prior to attending: helen.yarnold@btinternet.com

When: Friday, 2pm – 3pm

Location: Tewksbury Leisure Centre, GL20 5SX

Instructor: Helen Yarnold

Patient able to turn up for the class but is welcome to email Helen prior to attending: helen.yarnold@btinternet.com

We hold classes in Lydney, Mitcheldean and hopefully one in Cinderford soon. Please view the timetable for further information about locations, dates and times: Class-timetableA4masterApr25.pdf

Cost: £4 per class, pay as you go

You can self-refer using this link: Online Referral Form

Please contact us if you wish to be referred to the GP Exercise on Referral Scheme.

When: Wednesday, 9.30am – 10.30am

Location: Bourton on the water leisure centre, GL54 2BD

Instructor: Tracy McCue

Patient to contact Bourton Leisure Centre to discuss with Tracy McCue, telephone number: 01451 824024