TWO charities have joined forces to provide specialist help and support for people affected by brain tumours.

Bristol based charity Brain Tumour Support (formerly Hammer Out) and Macmillan Cancer Support have established a three year partnership, appointing five Brain Tumour Support workers across the South West and Midlands.

Thornbury based Pamela Gilvear is funded by Brain Tumour Support, but is being adopted by Macmillan as part of the project. She is a support worker who has been in post since June covering the Bristol, Somerset and Herefordshire catchment area.

Like her counterparts, Pamela has been trained by Brain Tumour Support's existing team of support workers and counsellors.

Pamela said: “Since starting my role, I’ve been helping Brain Tumour Support to become more visible and accessible to those who need its help within the community I cover.

“The support that I provide is diverse, ranging from practical help, for example finding hospital accommodation for relatives and friends to stay in while their loved one has surgery through to providing information leaflets on a subject which is confusing and complicated, such Understanding Brain Tumours, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy etc.

“As no two people will have the same experience I aim to tailor the support to meet the patient, carer and their loved ones needs where possible.

“I run monthly support groups in Bristol, Taunton, Hereford and Cheltenham which are open to all who have sadly embarked on a brain tumour journey.

Brain Tumour Support's founder and CEO Tina Mitchell Skinner said: “Each year some 16,000 people in the UK will be diagnosed with a brain tumour, with complex physical, practical, psychological and emotional implications for both patients and those closest to them.

“Our new partnership with Macmillan is helping us to expand the level of support we can offer to those people, and increase face to face support which is one of our key services.”

Maggie Crowe, Macmillan development manager added; “We have been working with Brain Tumour Support for many years, and this latest venture is a great addition to our partnership. By funding these posts, we hope that nobody in the Midlands and South West will have to face a brain tumour diagnosis alone.”

More information is available from Rosemary Wormington, Brain Tumour Support's Head of Support on 01454 414355.