Bristol charity's cancer support course goes England-wide
A course developed by a Bristol charity to help people with the psychological and emotional effects of cancer is being rolled out across the country.
Living Well has been designed by Pill-based Penny Brohn Cancer Care to work alongside medical treatment.
It combines support for emotional and psychological wellbeing, stress management, lifestyle choices and financial and welfare issues.
The roll-out follows an evaluation by the University of Westminster.
Penny Brohn director of services, Michael Connors, said: "Our early evaluation shows the service is helping people with cancer, and their supporters, to make real changes that actively improve their physical health and emotional wellbeing.
"That's why we're now working with the NHS and other partners to deliver life-changing support to people living with cancer and aim to expand this service in communities and locations across England."
A Penny Brohn survey has shown that 87% of participants reported psychological and emotional concerns when they started the Living Well programme.
A follow-up six months later found that 64% of people reported a significant reduction in the severity of their concerns and an "overall and continuing improvement in their emotional wellbeing".
The free course will be available in London, the South West, the North and the Midlands.