Making an Impact in Ayrshire
IMPACT REPORT 2020-2021
Contents:
2020-2021: A Year of Resilience About Ayrshire Cancer Support Our Free Services The Impact of COVID-19 Timeline Tamara's Story At a Glance: A Year in Numbers What our Clients say Governance Our Partners and Sponsors Our Supporters and Volunteers Mission, Accountability and Impact The Future Financials
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2020-2021: A YEAR OF RESILIENCE A statement from our Chief Executive Officer and Chair
Ayrshire Cancer Support displayed absolute resilience this year, continuing to operate effectively and efficiently throughout the pandemic, providing practical and emotional support to the rising number of people affected by cancer in Ayrshire. In what has arguably been our most challenging year to date, our staff, volunteers and trustees have coped admirably and thanks to their dedication and commitment we have continued to adapt and thrive as an organisation. We increased our investment in people with improvements to our staff terms and conditions, including accreditation as a Real Living Wage employer; we advanced our IT plans, including Cyber Essentials Accreditation; we continue our plans for a new, purpose-built support centre in Ayr and prepare to expand our service to include children and young people, refreshing our logos to reflect these changes. Our patient transport service was recognised as a vital service for cancer patients by the NHS and Health and Social Care Partnerships last year,and it removes the necessity for unwell patients and those with compromised immune systems to travel using public transport.
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Sandra McCall, CEO
We became a member of the Scottish Cancer Coalition last year and have been working collaboratively with the other members and the Scottish Government Cancer Policy Team. We continually work with our partners and clients to provide a range of services appropriate with early diagnoses, improved medication and access to treatment, and the improvements in care and longevity of those who have been diagnosed with cancer. We are a people organisation and the positive impact we can have on the community is clear in the feedback we receive and in the patient stories we feature regularly. Though this has been a year unlike any other, the charity aims to continue to serve the people of Ayrshire by putting patient care first in all that we do. All of this would not be possible without our supporters, fundraisers, partner organisations, volunteers, our staff and our Board. For this we express our grateful thanks.
Sandra McCall Sandra McCall Chief Executive Officer
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DMcCall David McCall Chairperson/Director
About Ayrshire Cancer Support Operating since 1982, Ayrshire Cancer Support exists to provide emotional support and practical help for those affected by cancer in Ayrshire. This includes those diagnosed with cancer, their family members, carers and the bereaved. Our aim is to improve the quality of life of those living with cancer and ensure that we are here for people throughout Ayrshire who need our support. In order to do this we have formed partnerships, worked with the local community, and with volunteers, to develop a range of services including; patient transport, counselling, complementary therapies, podiatry service, support groups, workshops, bereavement support, cancer nurse appointments, a drop-in service, and provision of a range of specialist cancer information. Delivery of our services is greatly aided by our team of over 200 volunteers. We generate
income through donations and grant applications in order to be able to provide all our services without charge to our clients We hold a service level agreement with NHS Ayrshire & Arran in relation to the implementation of our services, and the supervision of our counselling staff. This valuable partnership ensures patients, families and carers affected by cancer in Ayrshire and Arran receive appropriate and timely support; and has allowed the continuity of care through an integrated approach. Our staff, board, and volunteers continue to work together to have a positive impact for all those in Ayrshire who need our support.
Our key values:
COMPASSION, CARE & KINDNESS delivered with integrity
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Our Free Services
Hospital Transport Service from home to hospital for patients undergoing cancer treatment or cancer-related appointments.
Carers Groups to provide a space for people with caring responsibilities to meet, have time out, and learn new ways of coping.
Counselling provides clients with space to share thoughts and feelings with a sensitive and responsive listener. It can help people to come to terms with their own illness or that of a loved one.
Cancer Nurse Appointments our Cancer nurse meets with patients and their families who feel that cancer specific information in relation to their treatment would be beneficial.
Bereavement Support to help people who are bereaved through cancer.
Hospital Ward Visits by our complementary therapists for those receiving cancer treatment in hospital.
Complementary Therapies including massage, aromatherapy, reiki and hynotherapy to help alleviate stress and anxiety, and the symptoms of cancer and its treatment.
Drop-In Centre available on a non-appointment basis to allow people to engage with our services or simply to have a coffee and chat with people who may have undergone similar experiences.
Workshops including Look Good Feel Better to help cancer patients learn new techniques in a group setting.
Podiatry Service to allow those who may be experiencing issues with their feet and nails due to cancer treatment to access professional foot care.
Support Groups facilitated in the drop-in centre to provide a range of peer support.
Specialist Cancer Information in partnership with NHS Ayrshire & Arran, upto-date and accessible information is available in our Kilmarnock centre.
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The Impact of COVID-19 Ayrshire Cancer Support was impacted in several ways when COVID-19 restrictions were introduced in the UK in early 2020. In what was an unprecedented situation, the charity responded quickly and flexibly to the crisis in order to continue delivering our vital services. We adapted our services, in order to keep our patients, staff and volunteers safe, and to ensure we could continue to provide free patient transport, as well as emotional support for people affected by cancer, at a time when it has never been more needed.
support locally for people affected by bereavement due to COVID-19, we launched a trauma support line, proving especially valuable to NHS frontline workers and care home staff who were experiencing the worst of the pandemic.
Our CEO, Chairperson and Vice Chairperson formed a COVID-19 subcommittee (C-19SC) in order to effectively manage these sudden changes.
Like many charities we faced a significant impact on our income with fundraising events cancelled or postponed and with the Government lockdown, NHS restrictions, and all non-essential shops closed due to COVID-19, unfortunately we had to close all but one of our retail stores. Our Head of Income and Communications revisited our Fundraising Strategy with the C-19SC, and instead concentrated efforts on securing emergency funding payments and grant applications.
Our Head of Cancer Support Services rapidly adapted all therapeutic services and patient transport. Our counselling service was switched from face-to-face to telephone and online offerings, including the NHS Near Me/Attend Anywhere platforms; our complementary therapies were replaced with wellbeing calls and pre-recorded therapeutic services; and our patient transport service now takes only one patient per car to adhere to new infection control measures.
Our staff, volunteers and trustees rose to the challenge and a most grateful thanks goes out to all for the support and commitment to the charity during this challenging year.
With over seventies suspended from volunteering, and new safety measures effectively tripling the cost per patient journey, we experienced exceptional demand on our service; however we successfully recruited new temporary volunteer drivers to fill this gap. As a local charity we have a big role to play to ensure we look after our community at a time of crisis. Responding to local need we launched a new telephone befriending service, available to any vulnerable and shielding members of the community; and recognising there was little
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1982
Ayrshire Cancer Support moved into providing a range of support services for cancer patients and their families at the two centres in Kilmarnock and Ayr.
2002
Isabella Keddie left us a generous legacy in her will, allowing us to purchase our Dundonald Road premises. Our drop-in centre was named in memory of Mrs Keddie.
2016
Opening of our eleventh retail store Scotland's biggest charity shop - in Kilmarnock. The 'Marketplace' hosted weekly markets and boot sales every Saturday.
2020
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The organisation known as Ayrshire Cancer Support was founded, originally called 'The Elephant Trust'. The first service offered was patient transport.
1997
The Elephant Trust was officially renamed as Ayrshire Cancer Support.
2015
Official opening of the new support centre on Dundonald Road, Kilmarnock by the Lord-Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran.
2019
We progress plans which aim to see the development of a new purposebuilt centre in Ayr and the launch of new services for children and young people throughout Ayrshire.
Tamara's Story
will never forget - I was just grateful to be alive.”
Tamara Campbell knew she had cancer. She knew long before having it confirmed by specialists. “I just couldn’t deal with the thought of it. My mum was in Palliative Care - suffering from Stage 4 Breast Cancer back in Australia. I couldn’t fly home to say goodbye to her because of the travel restrictions due to COVID.” Tamara first felt the lump in her lower abdomen in November 2019. She put it to the back of her mind, because her mum was becoming increasingly ill and sadly passed away after a 20 year battle with the disease in February 2020. Tamara visited her GP in the middle of March, and two weeks later, she met with the specialists. Tamara had a biopsy and CT scan, where they discovered she had an ovarian cyst with a mass measuring 10cm x 11cm. She had a full hysterectomy at Crosshouse hospital to remove the tumour on May 28th of this year; “I woke up from the anaesthetic feeling very groggy and out of it - and heard the cheering going on outside my windows and in all the wards. It was a momentous occasion, as the nurses were celebrating the final Thursday night clap for the NHS staff. I was in a lot of pain and full of drugs - but it was a moment I
Tamara underwent chemotherapy treatment at the Beatson Hospital, and used Ayrshire Cancer Support Transport Service to travel to every appointment. “The drivers, the whole service, was amazing from start to finish. I just phoned up with all my dates and they organised it all. I didn’t have to worry about anything during COVID - I was really well looked after by the drivers and staff.” “The nurses at the Beatson were also fantastic. It was a strange experience; all the nurses were head to toe in PPE. The chairs were spaced far apart and there were only four patients allowed in each bay. The nurses were still jovial under their plastic visors and masks, but I felt really sorry for them.” Tamara is now feeling better than ever, but still has some down days, “I feel I haven’t grieved for my mum properly, I haven’t had time to mourn her loss. In normal circumstances, I would have gone to Australia to be with my family. Instead I have been facing my own battle with this terrible disease. “Some days I feel really positive about my future, and other days I am convinced it’s going to come back again.” For now Tamara is living in the moment, taking every day as it comes. She’s concentrating on building her own business up and her family. “It’s all about enjoying the time I have left. I don’t dwell on what I have been through or what I have to do to get by. I’m a different person now, my cancer has changed me. But hopefully for the better!”
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At a Glance: Our Year in Numbers 14,276
3,125
total patient/client contacts
therapeutic sessions
10,021
1,130
patient journeys
wellbeing calls
78% of our referrals are from patients themselves and from NHS / Health & Social Care
256 new therapeutic referrals, across East Ayrshire (95), North Ayrshire (83) and South Ayrshire (78)
30% of those we support are family members, carers or friends
Cancer Type Referrals
Breast
27%
Other
12%
Lung
11%
Bowel
10%
Haematological 10%
Gynaecological
8%
Prostate
5%
Oesophageal
3%
Melanoma
2%
Brain
2%
Kidney
2%
ENT
2%
Pancreatic
2%
Head and Neck
2%
Thyroid
1%
Stomach
1%
Gastric
1%
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Patient Transport Journeys
Beatson
80.37%
Crosshouse
8.72%
Ayr
7.16%
Royal
0.75%
Other
0.68%
Irvine Central
0.60%
Jubilee
0.46%
Inverclyde
0.41%
Queen Elizabeth
0.38%
RAH
0.26%
Stobhill
0.21%
182 cancer nurse appointments
1,797
862
monthly clients seen by our counsellors and therapists
people attending drop-in, an 81% reduction on last year due to COVID-19 restrictions
214 volunteers, playing a huge part in the delivery of our services
18 members of staff: 10 full time members and 8 part time members
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What our Clients say
100% of clients who responded on our survey said they would recommend our transport service
Ayrshire Cancer Support offer a transport service which is 2nd to none. You don't need to worry about a thing. Just concentrate on getting better.
Staff very knowledgeable and able to give so much help
85% of clients reported their counselling reduced stress levels
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98% of clients asked found our wellbeing services to be either very helpful or helpful
I received an absolutely brilliant counselling service. It helped me immensely during my recovery from coronavirus and long covid. The service helped me to cope a lot better during my recovery, It also gave me someone that I could talk to about the problems I was facing. I didn't want to worry my family.
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Governance Ayrshire Cancer Support is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity.
safety, confidentiality and accountability of the service we provide.
We are governed by a Board of Directors, who are ultimately responsible for policy decisions and ensuring the company operates within its constitution. The composition of the Board is monitored on a regular basis to ensure the directors have the necessary skills and expertise required to govern the charity.
In addition there are approximately twelve volunteers for every one member of staff. Our volunteers are vital to the delivery of our services and we recognise and value the importance of their contribution.
The Chief Executive Officer provides direct communication between the directors and the employees of the charity and closer working relationships with directors and other employees is fostered through project work. Specific cancer related roles are held by professionally qualified staff to ensure the
Ayrshire Cancer Support are organisational members of: The Scottish Cancer Coalition COSCA Voluntary Health Scotland Health & Social Care Alliance Fundraising Code of Practice OSCR
person-centred fun accountable
egalitarian
innovative
KINDNESS
centredness service
CARE
COMPASSION reliable
involvement integrity
hope
noitcennoc
trustworthy
collaborative
professional
Our values:
support empowering
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Our Partners and Sponsors Our mutually beneficial arrangement with NHS Ayrshire & Arran, which has been in place since 1998, has ensured the continuity of care and support for cancer patients, their families and carers, through an integrated approach, improving their cancer journey.
the best use of the available skill mix. Ayrshire Cancer Support also became a member of The Scottish Cancer Coalition last year and is an active member of the West of Scotland Cancer Network (WoSCAN).
The Board's Psychosocial Oncology Service works with Ayrshire Cancer Support to ensure a comprehensive psychological support service is provided to Patients with cancer and their family/carers across Ayrshire and Arran, making
Developing strong relationships and working in collaboration are things we pride ourselves on, and will always strive to work together for improved outcomes for cancer patients in Ayrshire.
Ayrshire Cancer Support are proud of the reputation we hold in the local community, with no other cancer charity offering the range of services we provide in Ayrshire. We work in partnership with many local businesses who work with us to help support people affected by cancer; whether through supporting our services, sponsoring our events, helping us raise vital funds, or signposting those in need to our free services.
A sincere thanks also to our grant funders for 2020-2021: The Hunter Foundation, South Ayrshire Council, North Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council, National Lottery Community Fund, Foundation Scotland, Edward Gosling, Archibald Taylor Trust, Assura Community Fund, Pink Ribbon Foundation, James Weir Foundation, Mickel Fund, Carrick Futures, Will Charitable Trust, Green Hall Foundation, Corra Foundation, UCB Community Health Fund (King Baudouin Foundation), the Bank of Scotland Reach Programme and the Scottish Government Local Mobility Plan Funding.
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Our Supporters and Volunteers During COVID-19, we received tremendous support from many of our loyal supporters, who donated to our crisis appeals, ran, walked and challenged themselves in a variety of inventive ways to help raise funds whilst COVID-19 regulations limited our fundraising events and our retail offer. Emergency grant funding helped to secure our finances during COVID -19 in 20/21.
emergency funds have ceased and we continue to be limited by COVID-19 restrictions.
The uncertainty of fundraising and retail in today’s climate persists and it is foremost in the charity’s objectives to create a resilient fundraising landscape which is less dependent on traditional income streams, now that
Thank you to those who continue to help to generate income for anyone affected by cancer in Ayrshire.
Our amazing volunteers play a vital part in helping Ayrshire Cancer Support operate and deliver our services and we are proud to have each and every one as part of the team.
Our volunteers help with our patient transport service, our retail store, our drop-in service, within hospitals, our garden, with admin and therapeutic services, as fundraisers, ambassadors, can collectors, members of our Board and the members of the Beith support group.
We recognise the challenges our volunteers have faced this year, with shielding, isolation, and with many volunteer duties suspended. We are extremely grateful to each and every one of our volunteers for their outstanding commitment and dedication - without our volunteers, the level of work we could undertake would be greatly reduced.
We are investing heavily in being more digital and securing longer term income to increase financial sustainability and we are encouraged to have the support of the Ayrshire community who appreciate the need to continue to raise funds for Ayrshire’s leading cancer support charity.
There are a variety of roles to choose from, each as rewarding as the next, and we will be there to provide support throughout your volunteering journey.
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Mission, Accountability & Impact The company's principal activities are to provide emotional support and practical help for those affected by cancer in Ayrshire with the aim to improve the quality of life of those living with cancer and ensure we are here for people throughout Ayrshire who need our support. In addition we launched strategic objectives in 2018 to fit within our three-year plan: What we said We would strive for excellence for our clients. What we did We continue, despite the challenges imposed by Covid, to deliver high quality, compassionate, person-centred and professional services to the people of Ayrshire. The positive impact we have for clients can be seen through the feedback we receive and the client stories we regularly share. We recognise the importance of lived experience and continue to seek the views and opinions of those who use our services.
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What we said We would engage our stakeholders through marketing, communication and brand awareness. What we did We developed our marketing and communication activity through a mix of channels and media and refreshed our logos to reflect our new campaigns and new services.
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What we said We would invest in staff resources in critical areas of fundraising and retail. What we did The number of our retail stores grew significantly over the years, and saw the launch of our superstore in Kilmarnock. Unfortunately over the past year, due to COVID-19, all but one of our retail stores had to close meaning our fundraising and retail was impacted drastically. We continue to revisit and adapt our fundraising and retail strategies to monitor the impact on our income.
What we said We would maximise our revenue streams of legacy giving, community fundraising and events, corporate giving, trusts and foundations.
What we said We would raise our profile across Ayrshire as the leading voice of authority in relation to cancer support in Ayrshire. What we did We fostered our relationships with NHS Ayrshire & Arran, and continue to work closely with the NHS to ensure our organisation can support their cancer treatment services. We sit on The Scottish Cancer Coalition Network and the West of Scotland Cancer Network, sharing our expertise and experience and taking part in joint learning opportunities.
What we did We created an income strategy supported by staff roles to develop legacy giving and individual giving, community fundraising and events and corporate and trust donations. Multiple income streams has helped to mitigate against financial risk and move away from an ‘all eggs in one basket approach.’
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The Future Our next three-year plan will operate from 20222025. Our ambition is to continue to achieve the aims and objectives of the existing organisation, and to extend our services in line with demand. In order to meet our overall objectives, our main aim this coming year will be to open our full services again, as the COVID-19 restrictions are gradually lifted and the Scottish Government Cancer Recovery Plan is rolled out, and to raise sufficient funds to continue to deliver these services free of charge. As part of our ongoing plans for a new, purposebuilt centre in Ayr, we sold our existing Ayr Centre while it was closed due to the pandemic
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restrictions and the funds received were designated as part of the capital build project. We will continue to progress our Make It Happen campaign to create a bright and welcoming new support centre in Ayr. As part of our plans to include services for children and young people throughout Ayrshire we created a new project and started applying for the funds to secure the key post required to safely deliver these new services. We will also aim to raise sufficient funds to progress our capital build project, to carry out building works and special adaptations to help us create our new centre and new services.
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Financials 2020-2021 How we raised our money
Grants & Contributions Fundraising Donations
£1,402,866 £255,181
Client Donations
£51,535
Shop Sales
£42,044
Gift Aid Claims
£35,427
Legacies
£33,826
Corporate
£32,847
Investment Income
£7,010
Collecting Cans
£5,810
Employment Allowance
£4,000
Miscellaneous
£2,344
Beith Group
£1,255
NHS Ayrshire & Arran
£800
How we spent our money
Direct Service Provision
£494,654
Support Costs
£251,062
Shop Running Costs
£100,226
Costs of Generating Voluntary Income
£82,177
Governance Costs
£7,750
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Ayrshire Cancer Support 5 Dundonald Road Kilmarnock KA1 1EZ 7 Prestwick Road Ayr KA8 8LD 01563 538008 admin@ayrshirecs.org www.ayrshirecs.org Registered in Scotland No. 110196 Charity Reg. No. SC016098