A long wait for volunteers to reconvene a Norwich group supporting those affected by brain tumours has finally come to an end.
The Norfolk and Waveney Brain Tumour Support Group work to reduce “loneliness, anxiety and isolation” but hasn't been able to hold its monthly meetings for three years.
The first Covid lockdown in March 2020 thwarted their supportive work but on Friday the group met for the first time in three years, at the Big C Centre at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
Joyce Bell, the organiser of the meetings, lost her daughter Jennifer at the age of 22 to an undiagnosed brain tumour in 2006.
Mrs Bell said: “The aim of the group has always been to provide support for all those affected by the devastating diagnosis of brain tumour.
“Meetings are held in an informal setting where patients and their family, carers and friends can meet and share experiences. It can be very helpful to know that you are not alone.”
The group works with The Brain Tumour Charity, which has 34 in-person support groups in the UK.
They welcome speakers such as speech and language therapists and physiotherapists to help those attending with their quality of life.
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Hannah Mills, an N&N oncology nurse specialising in brain tumour patients, takes the lead as a health professional at the meetings.
She said: “Loneliness, anxiety and isolation are all feelings that really affect them, so hopefully allowing people with shared experiences to connect with others will reduce this.
“Having a face-to-face meeting in a less clinical environment really releases some anxiety. Some people might not feel comfortable talking about their health but we do have a private facility in the second room if they wish to use that.”
Anyone who is affected by a brain tumour, including the family of those affected, are welcome to attend the meetings.
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