One in two people will get cancer in their lifetime. For those that receive a diagnosis, it is a time of profound concern, worry and often loneliness – not just for them, but also their wider family and friends.

I’ve long said that how we take care of and treat our most vulnerable is a measure of us as a society – and that’s why I have always taken a close interest in local support groups like Dereham Cancer Care, who do crucial work locally helping cancer sufferers and their loved ones. It was a privilege therefore to meet with Dereham Cancer Care’s brilliant Charity Manager Zoe Flint recently to find out more about their ongoing work in the community.

Since being established back in 2002, the team have supported thousands of people in our area – holding drop-in sessions four days a week (along with monthly evening and weekend sessions), running their highly effective Keeping In Touch programme and signposting patients and their families to support services that are so often there, but are often not widely publicised. The charity also offers additional assistance with issues like doctor’s referrals and respite breaks.

To provide these services however, the charity must rely on the generosity and support of others – which is why I have committed to supporting their efforts to secure grant funding from a number of pots. A key Mid Norfolk asset, it is vital the team’s work can continue and grow.

From my conversations with Zoe, I know they have bold plans that would enable to them to expand the services they offer – supporting more people in more scenarios. For example, they would love to offer support to businesses who may have cancer patients amongst their employees.

I look forward to continuing my support for Dereham Cancer Care in the weeks and months ahead.

If you would like to find out more about their work, please visit their website here.