It Takes A Village: Community spirit thrives as research shows 10 million Brits are supporting loved ones with cancer
- An estimated 10 million people in the UK (15%) are currently supporting someone they know who has cance
- The average support ‘village’ for someone with cancer is made up of at least 34 personal contacts and healthcare professionals
- One in three people (30%) say the local pub is a hub for socialising and supporting each other
- Cold, dark months, holidays and religious festivals are most emotionally challenging times for those supporting someone with cancer
New research shows that the average person living with cancer in the UK depends on a ‘village’ of at least 34 people throughout their journey, from doctors and nurses and many other health professionals to family, friends, and local networks, highlighting how emotional support comes from both experts and everyday heroes.
With an estimated 10 million people in the UK (15%) currently supporting someone they know who has cancer, the research commissioned by Greene King shows that community connections are vital in providing comfort. One in two (52%) of those supporting someone with cancer say their local community has also helped provide support, from neighbours and members of faith or community groups to shop workers, taxi drivers and staff from the local pub.
In addition, over half (53%) of those supporting someone with cancer socialise locally, turning to local friends or family and local parks and pubs, when they find it challenging to provide this support. Among Brits overall, around two in five (39%) describe their neighbourhoods as having a strong sense of community, and 42% say their local area often hosts charity events, from fundraisers to coffee mornings.
Partnering with Macmillan Cancer Support since 2012, Greene King has raised £24 million to date, as the pub continues to serve as a vital community anchor, providing a place of connection. Of those surveyed, 30% said their local pub is a hub for socialising and supporting each other, a figure that increases to nearly half (45%) of 18–34-year-olds.
When it comes to personal connections, people living with cancer place the highest value on emotional support. Among those who received this type of support from people in their personal lives, half (50%) said it made the single biggest positive difference, compared with 17% for practical help at home and 15% for assistance with errands. Those who support someone with cancer also feel most able to provide this kind of help, with two thirds (66%) saying they find it easy to offer emotional support.
As the colder, darker months approach, the need for support is set to rise. The research shows that festivities and religious holidays (24%) and the dark, cold winter months (23%) are the most challenging times for those supporting someone living with cancer, highlighting the greater need for emotional and practical help as winter arrives. This comes on top of the research showing that one in 10 people with cancer in the UK (10%) have had no support from anyone in their personal lives.
Throughout October, and as part of its We Love Macmillan Nurses campaign, Greene King’s pubs across the country will be working with Macmillan hosting and participating in fundraising activities to help fund the Macmillan professionals and nurses who provide vital emotional, medical and practical support to people living with cancer in the UK.
Kat Harper, Sustainability Director, at Greene King said: “For people living with cancer and their family, friends, and communities, we believe community hubs like local pubs truly matter. Our research shows that nearly a third (30%) of people say their local pub is a hub for socialising and support. Pubs are familiar, welcoming places that help reduce the stigma of asking for support, giving people a safe environment to open up about their journey. We’re proud to provide these spaces in our pubs and this October as part of our 'we Love Macmillan nurses' campaign we will continue fundraising to help Macmillan to provide vital support to those living with cancer and their loved ones.”
Richard Simcock, Chief Medical Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support said:
“We know that every person’s experience with cancer is unique, often shaped by those who support them to navigate a diagnosis, treatment, or to find a ‘new normal’ after cancer. Whatever your ‘village’ looks like, Macmillan is doing whatever it takes to get more people with cancer across the UK the best possible support, with our free helpline, website and Online Community. We’re urging anyone who needs information, support, or just a listening ear, to get in touch – we want to hear from you.
“But we’re only able to keep providing this vital support because of the unwavering support of our partners like Greene King. We’ve achieved incredible things together over our thirteen-year partnership, including raising a phenomenal £24million for game-changing cancer support. I look forward to seeing what we achieve together in the years to come.”
The average support ‘village’ for someone with cancer includes at least 30 different patient-facing healthcare professionals and staff involved in their diagnosis, treatment and care, many of whom will be Macmillan professionals or who will be linked with the charity in some way. Macmillan is urging anyone with cancer, whatever their support network looks like, to get in touch via the charity’s free, confidential Support Line 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00.
To learn more about how Greene King’s partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, please visit https://www.greeneking.co.uk/our-company/greene-king-for-good/macmillan.
With an estimated 10 million people in the UK (15%) currently supporting someone they know who has cancer, the research commissioned by Greene King shows that community connections are vital in providing comfort. One in two (52%) of those supporting someone with cancer say their local community has also helped provide support, from neighbours and members of faith or community groups to shop workers, taxi drivers and staff from the local pub.
In addition, over half (53%) of those supporting someone with cancer socialise locally, turning to local friends or family and local parks and pubs, when they find it challenging to provide this support. Among Brits overall, around two in five (39%) describe their neighbourhoods as having a strong sense of community, and 42% say their local area often hosts charity events, from fundraisers to coffee mornings.
Partnering with Macmillan Cancer Support since 2012, Greene King has raised £24 million to date, as the pub continues to serve as a vital community anchor, providing a place of connection. Of those surveyed, 30% said their local pub is a hub for socialising and supporting each other, a figure that increases to nearly half (45%) of 18–34-year-olds.
When it comes to personal connections, people living with cancer place the highest value on emotional support. Among those who received this type of support from people in their personal lives, half (50%) said it made the single biggest positive difference, compared with 17% for practical help at home and 15% for assistance with errands. Those who support someone with cancer also feel most able to provide this kind of help, with two thirds (66%) saying they find it easy to offer emotional support.
As the colder, darker months approach, the need for support is set to rise. The research shows that festivities and religious holidays (24%) and the dark, cold winter months (23%) are the most challenging times for those supporting someone living with cancer, highlighting the greater need for emotional and practical help as winter arrives. This comes on top of the research showing that one in 10 people with cancer in the UK (10%) have had no support from anyone in their personal lives.
Throughout October, and as part of its We Love Macmillan Nurses campaign, Greene King’s pubs across the country will be working with Macmillan hosting and participating in fundraising activities to help fund the Macmillan professionals and nurses who provide vital emotional, medical and practical support to people living with cancer in the UK.
Kat Harper, Sustainability Director, at Greene King said: “For people living with cancer and their family, friends, and communities, we believe community hubs like local pubs truly matter. Our research shows that nearly a third (30%) of people say their local pub is a hub for socialising and support. Pubs are familiar, welcoming places that help reduce the stigma of asking for support, giving people a safe environment to open up about their journey. We’re proud to provide these spaces in our pubs and this October as part of our 'we Love Macmillan nurses' campaign we will continue fundraising to help Macmillan to provide vital support to those living with cancer and their loved ones.”
Richard Simcock, Chief Medical Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support said:
“We know that every person’s experience with cancer is unique, often shaped by those who support them to navigate a diagnosis, treatment, or to find a ‘new normal’ after cancer. Whatever your ‘village’ looks like, Macmillan is doing whatever it takes to get more people with cancer across the UK the best possible support, with our free helpline, website and Online Community. We’re urging anyone who needs information, support, or just a listening ear, to get in touch – we want to hear from you.
“But we’re only able to keep providing this vital support because of the unwavering support of our partners like Greene King. We’ve achieved incredible things together over our thirteen-year partnership, including raising a phenomenal £24million for game-changing cancer support. I look forward to seeing what we achieve together in the years to come.”
The average support ‘village’ for someone with cancer includes at least 30 different patient-facing healthcare professionals and staff involved in their diagnosis, treatment and care, many of whom will be Macmillan professionals or who will be linked with the charity in some way. Macmillan is urging anyone with cancer, whatever their support network looks like, to get in touch via the charity’s free, confidential Support Line 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00.
To learn more about how Greene King’s partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, please visit https://www.greeneking.co.uk/our-company/greene-king-for-good/macmillan.