Today in our first Community Story of 2024, we are in Wales, to learn more about the work of Tenovus Cancer Care, a charity offering information, advice, and specialist support to people affected by cancer. Founded in 1943, by ten businessmen (the “ten of us”), to help a local man injured in a work accident, the charity has grown and evolved since then to become Wales’ leading cancer charity. Our Head of Communications, Luke Upton, sat down with Rachel Spencer, Advice Service Manager at Tenovus to talk their work, changing demands, a new grant from National Grid and more.

Luke Upton (LU): Happy New Year! Thanks for the time today, could you give us a little introduction to the work of Tenovus Cancer Care in South Wales and the community in which you serve?

Rachel Spencer (RS): Same to you Luke. No problem. 20,000 people a year are diagnosed with cancer in Wales. In response, Tenovus Cancer Care ( @tenovuscancer ) gives help, hope, and a voice to everyone affected by cancer, in and across South Wales. We empower people through our support and services, not least our Benefits Advice helping people with cancer to heat their homes this winter. We’re committed to listening to the real experiences of people affected by cancer in Wales to drive the changes that make a difference. We champion their needs by raising awareness and campaigning for better treatments, outcomes, and health across the region.

LU: Thanks, and how has your work and the demands you face changed in recent years?

RS: Since the pandemic, a trend seen by our Benefits Advice team has been of more people coming us for help due to a diagnosis at a later stage than would otherwise have been the case pre-Covid. On top of this, the impact of the cost-of-living crisis has become really apparent. People are having to make difficult choices about where to spend their money, are working closer to their treatment’s starting date due to worries about it and can be so stressed about money that they cannot focus on their cancer treatment at all.

LU: You’ve just received funding from the National Grid Community Matters Fund (Fuel Poverty) supported by Localgiving for a project to run an energy advisory support service for people living with cancer. Tell us some more about where this idea has come from and why it is so important?

RS: We know that having a cancer diagnosis and undergoing cancer treatment can mean that people spend increased time at home, plus costs escalate (travel to hospital, etc) at a time when income can be dramatically reduced. In particular, many cancer treatments can cause people to feel the cold more. Crucially too, a warm home is more than just a place to live: wellbeing and comfort are paramount for people recovering from or living with a cancer diagnosis at any stage.

LU: How important is the support you’ve received from National Grid and Localgiving?

RS: The cost-of-living crisis adds real difficulties to the serious circumstances that surround a diagnosis of cancer. National Grid and Localgiving’s support will allow us to provide information resources to individuals, carry out detailed eligibility checks for support, access grants and increase household incomes so there is more left in the pot each month to meet escalating energy costs. It means we can get energy advice to people at the earliest point and contribute to Tenovus Cancer Care’s goal of a truly holistic approach – meeting financial, emotional and clinical needs, according to ‘what matters most’ to each family. Thank you!

LU:  What would most help you in 2024? 

RS: As well as the fantastic support from National Grid and Localgiving – which is so vital – promotion of the support that Tenovus Cancer Care can give to those affected by cancer would mean we can reach more of the people who need us. We currently support 10% of people diagnosed with cancer in Wales and we hope to reach even more in future.

Find out more about the work that Tenovus do by clicking here and people can call them every day of the year on 0808 808 1010 to ask any questions they have about cancer.