The centre, to be built in Dereham Road, will complement Big C’s existing acute centre at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) offering care and support away from a medical environment. It will be at the forefront of cancer support, offering a wide range of wellbeing and welfare services provided by an expert team, led by senior nursing staff.
Big C centres provide an oasis of specialist emotional and practical support for those with a cancer diagnosis and their loved ones. Facilities in the new centre will include space for gentle exercise and contemporary workshop kitchens, where visitors will be able to learn about foods to help with symptoms and while undergoing treatment.
As with the charity’s other centres, there will also be treatment rooms for complementary therapies and counselling, as well as bright, welcoming space to sit and reflect or chat with a cup of tea.
Big C was founded in 1980 by two young men who had cancer and were having to travel to London and Cambridge for treatment, often finding this harder than the treatment itself. They vowed to do something so that local people would have access to the best care and support closer to where they live. 40 years on and their vision has become a reality with approximately £3 million raised annually, creating the largest cancer charity in East Anglia.
Big C now funds specialist pioneering medical equipment and invests in internationally significant research projects based at the Norwich Research Park, benefitting many local people, with a global impact on our understanding of the many forms of cancer. In addition to the new Norwich centre, the charity also has three established Big C support centres, based at the NNUH, Great Yarmouth and Kings Lynn, with a hub at the Louise Hamilton Centre in Gorleston.
Dr Chris Bushby, Chief Executive at Big C said, “The importance of this new Big C Centre cannot be overstated, and we are passionate about delivering this project for Norwich and Norfolk.
“For the past 13 years our expert team at our NNUH Centre has provided a bedrock of support, information, wellbeing therapies, tea, biscuits and a comforting ear to many thousands of Norfolk people affected by cancer, often when they are attending hospital appointments, or during treatment. In addition to this, there is a crucial need to now provide the same level of support for those experiencing cancer and all who surround them, nearer to where they live in the community.
“We enthusiastically welcome support from the Norfolk business community and we’d be delighted to hear from anyone who’d like to get involved with the Nearer to Home appeal.”
If your business is interested in forming a partnership with Big C in support of the Nearer to Home Appeal, please contact Carole Slaughter on 01603 964492 or carole.slaughter@big-c.co.uk Or to donate online to Big C’s Nearer to Home Appeal, please visit www.nearertohome.co.uk
