For people facing cancer, loneliness and various other issues CancerCare’s Kendal Drop In is a lifeline.
There’s always a warm welcome and a listening ear at the Kendal Drop In which is held at the Lakes Centre on Blackhall Road from 10am to noon every Thursday.
CancerCare is encouraging new people to go along to the Drop In and see what it can do for them.
For some people the Kendal Drop In is a social gathering and for others it has proved to be a life-saver.
One Drop In participant, who wished to remain anonymous, said if it hadn’t been for the Kendal Drop In they would not be here today.
Years of loneliness, personal problems and a family member’s cancer had resulted in depression and unbearable loneliness.
Thankfully, the friendship, support and kindness of the Kendal Drop In members had helped that person get their confidence and life back.
Volunteer Joyce Harris has seen the Kendal Drop in flourish and evolve over the last three decades.
Joyce, a former English and special needs teacher and her late husband Glyn Harris, a former chief advisor to schools, set up the Kendal Drop In around 34 years ago at the request for oncologist, Professor Malcolm McIllmurray, the founder of CancerCare.
The Drop in was originally held at the former Kirkland School near Kendal Parish Church and in 2016, after Storm Desmond, it moved to CancerCare’s main base at The Lakes Centre on Blackhall Road.
Joyce said: “My husband Glyn had cancer and he met Sister Susie Roth on a ward in the old Kendal Hospital who was involved with a group of people who were setting up CancerCare.
“Glyn became a great fundraiser and advocate of CancerCare before he passed away. He was a brilliant speaker. Before he retired he was the chief advisor to schools across Westmorland and then throughout Cumbria.
“The Kendal Drop In started with about six people. It was the only thing there was for people with cancer in those days. People came to find information and to ask for advice because the health service was so backward at that time.
“My husband knew that his prostate cancer was terminal. Throughout his illness he worked so hard for CancerCare.
“People used to say: “Don’t say that word (cancer)”. At the Drop In we welcomed people with open arms and talked about everything.
“They were so desperate for someone to talk to. We used to get about 75 people in the early days because there was so little support from the medical profession.
“We had a Macmillan nurse who did the medical side and people could ask Professor Mac (McIllmurray), as he was known to us, questions about cancer. You couldn’t do that at the hospital in those days. It wasn’t the done thing to talk about it.”
Joyce said the Kendal Drop In had changed over the years: “It’s more of a social group now. Everyone is welcome to come along. We’ll welcome you with open arms.”
Joan Barnes from Levens is now the main organiser of the Kendal Drop In and she runs it with Hazel Lefevre who lives in Kendal with her husband Steve.
Joan, who used to work in a solicitors’ office and also worked for a time as an auxiliary nurse, said: “I got involved with the Drop In through one of my neighbours.
“I love it. I love meting people and making people happy. We’re like a big family. It’s a lovely group. Some people have been coming to the Drop In for a long time.
“People can be quite nervous when they first come because they don’t know what to expect.
“I just say ‘You’ll be alright with us’, make them a coffee, have a natter and make them feel at home.
“The Drop In is a chance to have a chat and we have activities such as a quiz, bingo and games. It’s very relaxing.
“We also have outings from time to time. We’ve been to the theatre, for walks and on tours.
“We would like to see more people coming along. People can feel very lonely but when they come here they often make new friends. That helps people such a lot.
“We also have two young people – Sophie, 19 and Becka, 24, who come along as volunteers to the Kendal Drop In. It’s for all ages.
“I think people are more open to talking about cancer these days. That’s a very good thing for everyone.”
Hazel Lefevre said: “Joan is brilliant. She always involves me. Joan and I took over from Joyce when she had breast cancer and needed to stop for a while.
“My husband Steve was first diagnosed with small cell lung cancer 14 years ago.
“He was given a very poor prognosis but he said “I’m not going anywhere. I want to see my grandchildren!” and he’s still here today. We have two children and four grandchildren.
“We have been coming to the Kendal Drop In for a long time. We both like coming. Everybody is very friendly.
“I make the tea and coffee and do the washing up. It’s nice. Everybody gets on so well. I always chat to people who come along.
“Steve also goes to CancerCare’s woodwork group at the Lakes Centre. He enjoys the chat and it gives him something different to do.
“I would encourage anyone to come along to the Drop In and try it out. Even if people are feeling nervous we can put them at ease.”
Hazel is delighted that Steve has confounded the medics and is there for his family.
She said: “At first it was hard the months were going by and Steve had only been given a poor prognosis.
“Then things seemed to be getting better so we just started getting on with life.
“I do get down at times and so does Steve but there are people who are a lot worse off than us.”
Everyone affected by cancer and other life-limiting conditions is welcome to go to the Kendal Drop in which takes place at the Lakes Centre on Blackhall Road every Thursday from 10am to noon.
For any enquiries about the Drop in or CancerCare’s free services for people of all ages who are affected by cancer, please call The Lakes Centre on 01539 735800 or go to www.cancercare.org.uk.
