The charity’s origins lie in one family’s own devastating experience of a brain tumour.
For more than 20 years Brain Tumour Support has been providing vital support to patients, their families, friends and carers who are living with a brain tumour diagnosis.
In 2023 Brain Tumour Support marked two decades of providing support for people whose lives have been affected, sometimes forever, by a brain tumour diagnosis. A journey that no one would choose and which can so often feel out of control.
My own life was forever changed in 2001 when my husband Paul was diagnosed, aged just 35, with a grade 4 glioblastoma. He tragically died only 18 months later. Without any specialist support available at that time, our painful experience sparked a determination that no one else should be left feeling isolated and without support when faced with the fear and devastation that any brain tumour can bring.
Brain Tumour Support was founded under its original name ‘Hammer Out’ in 2003, and in our 20th anniversary year, we are both remembering and celebrating. After 20 years Brain Tumour Support is now across the UK and makes a huge difference to the lives of many people facing a brain tumour diagnosis.
The first ten years saw the charity develop support groups from Cornwall to The Midlands, and employ two dedicated Patient and Family Support Workers and professional counsellors.
The Support Team comprises nine trained Support Professionals, a specialist counselling service, a finance and welfare benefits expert, plus a dedicated online Support Professional. All services are free to access.
We can only offer our services through the generosity of our partners, donors, fundraisers and volunteers. With no government funding, our supporters are our lifeblood.
In looking ahead, collaboration is important. As well as partnerships with other patient organisations, such as Macmillan England and Wales/Cymru, we work very closely with the NHS neuro teams and social care professionals.
We support and attend the All Party Parliamentary Group for Brain Tumours (APPGBT), working with government and senior officials, local MPs and other decision-makers. As a member of a number of organisations and alliances, including the Brain Cancer Network Alliance and the International Brain Tumour Alliance, and with representation on the Joint Strategy Board for the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission, we believe that this collaboration leads to better progress towards achieving our common aims to improve the lives of people affected by a brain tumour.
Brain Tumour Support is here for anyone affected in any way by a brain tumour diagnosis – whatever grade or type of brain tumour, and whether support is needed as a patient, family member, friend, colleague or caregiver.
Our message is simple: #SupportMatters #BecauseYouMatter
The charity’s origins lie in one family’s own devastating experience of a brain tumour.
Read about all aspects of the charity’s activities in our latest yearly review.
Our vision motivates our work every day and our values guide our approach to achieving it.
Read more out how our specialist support makes a positive difference to so many lives.
People received regular support from a Support Professional
Specialist topic support session attendances
New referrals to our services
Average time spent for each support contact
Average number of support team contacts per week
Friendship group attendances
Worth of benefits gained with help from our welfare and benefits service
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