Cancer counselling charity We Hear You (WHY) is continuing to offer free professional counselling to anyone affected directly or indirectly by cancer and life-threatening conditions. This includes those affected by coronavirus.

In addition to one-to-one counselling delivered by telephone or the Zoom video platform, WHY are going ahead with a planned taster day for their popular WHYoutdoors nature-based therapy courses on 6th May and an eight-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) course, led by Chris Barker of the University of Exeter.

Both activities are aimed at people living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis and have been redesigned to make it possible to access support online.

Clinical Manager Cath Wilkins says "It's been a challenging few weeks for everyone, but particularly for the people we support, who were already coping with the significant physical and emotional strain of a life-threatening diagnosis, whether directly or through someone close to them. Many are now also coping with disruption to treatment or the stress of increased vulnerability to the virus. Here at WHY we're delighted to say that despite having to close our face-to-face services, we're still supporting around 100 people each week over the phone or online."

"We're also going ahead with two of our planned activities this spring, which will enable us to reach more people who need us. Firstly, following on from the huge success of our first 'WHYoutdoors' nature-based therapy course in 2019, we're offering a virtual taster day on Wednesday 6th May from 10am to 1pm, where people living with and beyond cancer can explore the use of nature connection for their mental health. The taster day is also open to family and friends."

"Secondly, we're so pleased to be able to continue with our planned mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) course, which was due to start in Frome at the end of April. This eight-week course will now happen online on Saturday mornings from 25th April to 13th June and is an opportunity to learn mindfulness techniques specifically tailored to those living with and beyond cancer. We believe the course will be of huge benefit to the people we work with and we hope to see you there."

To refer yourself for one-to-one counselling with We Hear You, or to book a place for the WHYoutdoors taster day or WHYbemindful course, please email [email protected] or call 01373 455255.