My name is Karen Aylward

I'm a Macmillan Family support worker based at Eastbourne district general hospital

and I've been in post for about three and a half years now

I provide support for close loved ones

family members and patients themselves

Its a way to get some control in the chaos of treatment and

how to build their life and empower them to be able to move forward from what they've been through

I can really appreciate that using the service can evoke quite a lot of anxiety

and when I speak to them initially I just invite them along for an informal chat

and we can take things from there

It's providing that time and space

a chance for people to be able to look at some of the difficulties

and to feel supported and helped really

through an emotional and vulnerable time

people that have used the service quite often say they don't know where they would be now

without having had counselling or emotional and psychological support

they feel better equipped to be able to reinvest in life

and to move forward with their lives after such a life changing experience