Cafe for people living with cancer opens

Founder Jo Sutherland says community plays an important role in the treatment process

Volunteers who have been affected by cancer are giving back by running a new community cafe and support group.

The cafe has been opened by Gloucester charity Charlie's, which provides free holistic therapies to cancer patients.

"I would live in such a dark place without it, they're like my second family," said Pete White who has multiple myeloma and prostate cancer and will volunteer at the cafe.

It is hoped the venue, in Barnwood, will give people living with cancer an opportunity to meet others going through similar experiences.

Mr White has been volunteering with the charity since 2017 and says Charlie's has been fantastic in providing him with support.

He now looks forward to helping others at the cafe, who are also struggling with the impact of cancer.

"We all support one another, if someone has some bad news, there's always someone to give them a hug," he said.

Charlie's was founded by Jo Sutherland after she was diagnosed with breast cancer 20 years ago.

She said the cafe was "going to be phenomenal" and the volunteers would "understand where you're coming from".

"It's not just a cafe providing food. We want it to be a real community cafe."

Volunteers are hoping to help others by sharing their own experiences

Ness Holbrook is the family and youth worker for Charlie's and works with young people that have been impacted by cancer.

She holds sessions at schools and colleges, but now hopes to bring young people to the cafe.

She said: "People will be able to come along, find out a bit more about us and then maybe come to the therapy centre and access support.

"It will just be that nice space, but also somewhere for us to meet with other organisations and other people in the community."

The cafe wants to provide a safe space for those impacted by the disease

Paul Mount, whose sister died from breast cancer 23 years ago, got involved with the charity in 2018 by offering a room, and later a warehouse, for the charity to run monthly meetings.

He has now donated the room which is being used for the cafe.

"When Jo came to me looking for support I thought this is perfect because I wanted something to get involved in and to try and help," he said.

Volunteers hope the cafe will help them generate an income for the charity so it can keep providing support to those who need it.