Impact briefs

The newly updated Impact Briefs are succinct and easy to read documents that clearly summarise important facts and evidence about the impact of Macmillan services.

The newly updated Impact Briefs are succinct and easy to read documents that clearly summarise important facts and evidence about the impact of Macmillan services. There is an Impact Brief about most of the direct and indirect services funded by Macmillan to help people affected by cancer.

Each Impact Brief is illustrated with case studies, quotes from service users, research findings and Macmillan service evaluations.

What can I find in each Impact Brief?

Current evidence about the cancer related issues that have led to the real need of each Macmillan service.
Clear and measurable information that highlights what Macmillan is doing to meet the need and help address these issues.
Data that gives detail about the impact and difference Macmillan services are making.

Specialist health and social care professionals

Macmillan support workers

Macmillan support workers are part of the cancer care team alongside registered practitioners. They deal with non-complex tasks to allow registered practitioners to focus their expertise on managing the complex care needs of patients.

Support workers provide coordination of care to people who, after cancer treatment, can be enabled to self-manage their own care with support.

Download the impact brief for Macmillan Support Workers [PDF].

The Macmillan one-to-one support worker role has made a huge improvement to the quality of our service and enabled us to implement important initiatives.

Clinical nurse specialist

Clinical nurse specialists - Macmillan nurses

Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are dedicated to a particular area of nursing; caring for patients suffering from long-term conditions and diseases such as cancer.

Macmillan funds cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists to support health care professionals in delivering effective, efficient services and to improve the quality of care for cancer patients.

Download the impact brief for Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists - 'Macmillan Nurses' [PDF].

The average Macmillan nurses helped 158 cancer patients in 2014.

Allied health professionals

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) provide rehabilitation for cancer patients. They may include occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, speech and language therapists, lymphoedema therapists, diagnostic radiographers, art, music and drama therapists and podiatrists.

Interventions by AHPs improve patients’ quality of life, strength and fitness, and reduce fatigue.

Download the impact brief for Allied Health Professionals [PDF].

30% of cancer patients report unmet needs after treatment. These needs could benefit from allied health professional rehabilitation services.

Social workers

Macmillan funded social workers provide holistic, practical support to people living with cancer.

This allows service users to have greater independence and an improved quality of life by being able to access appropriate help and care at home or in their preferred places of care.

Download the impact brief for social workers [PDF].

In 2014 we reached and helped almost 28,000 people through Macmillan social workers.

Psychological and emotional support

Macmillan funds psychological and support services that are delivered by Macmillan health professionals such as psychologists and counsellors.

These services improve quality of life by promoting self-management, coping skills, reducing depression, anxiety and pain.

Download the impact brief for psychological and emotional support [PDF].

In 2013 we reached 8,628 people through our emotional and practical support schemes.

Learning and development for professionals

Macmillan works with partner organisations to deliver a wide range of first class learning and development opportunities for staff, volunteers, people affected by cancer and health and social care professionals.

These can include cancer awareness courses, careers advice, communication skills and management courses. Training can be delivered face to face, via the extensive information resource on the Macmillan website or via e-learning on Learnzone.

Download the impact brief for Learning and Development for professionals [PDF].

In 2014, Macmillan reached over 6,000 people affected by cancer through learning and development courses.

Clinical environments

We understand that if a person is diagnosed with cancer, the physical environment they are treated in is vital to their well-being.

That’s why we help to create healing cancer environments that meet the needs of the patient, their family, carers and people seeking information about cancer.

Typical cancer environments can include hospitals, breast cancer units, in-patient units for palliative care and Macmillan and information and support centres amongst others.

Download the impact brief for Clinical Environments [PDF].

In 2014 Macmillan reached an estimated 72,872 cancer patients within our Macmillan clinical buildings across the UK.

Cancer information and support services

Local cancer information and support services

These services offer a wide range of information and support on different cancer types. They provide financial guidance, practical and emotional support, as well as offering those affected by cancer the chance to ask questions and talk through their concerns with specialist staff and trained volunteers.

Download the impact brief for local cancer information and support services [PDF].

In 2014, Macmillan information and support services were visited 452,829 times by people affected by cancer.

Mobile information and support services

Macmillan Mobile Information and Support Services tour the UK throughout the year, offering free, confidential information and support to people in their communities. Anyone is welcome, whether they have a cancer diagnosis, are visiting on behalf of a friend or relative, or are worried about cancer.

The services are staffed by Macmillan cancer information and support specialists who can offer a wide range of information and support tailored to a person’s individual needs.

Download the impact brief for Mobile information and support services [PDF].

In 2014 the mobile information service helped 78,614 people affected by cancer across England, Wales and Scotland.

Macmillan Support Line

The Macmillan Support Line is available from Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm on 0808 808 00 00. The phone line is staffed by cancer specialists who are trained to offer practical, medical, emotional and financial advice and who have immediate access to high quality and up to date information. People affected by cancer particularly value the anonymity and confidentiality offered by the Macmillan Support Line.

Download the impact brief for Macmillan Support Line [PDF].

A quarter of cancer patients feel they have no one to talk to about their cancer and treatment.

Information resources

Macmillan produces a wide range of publications in a range of formats specifically for people with cancer, their family and friends, and we make these available free of charge for people affected by cancer and the professionals and volunteers who work with them.

Download the impact brief for Information resources [PDF].

In 2014 Macmillan reached an estimated 3.4 million people affected by cancer through our printed information resources.

Online community

Online communities and networks provide emotional and peer support for those affected by cancer. They give people the opportunity to connect with others who have been through a similar experience, and so feel part of an understanding community.

Our online community can be accessed from the Macmillan website.

Download the impact brief for the Online community [PDF].

In October 2014 the Macmillan online community had 765,348 page views.

Self-help and support groups

Meeting other people with similar experiences can be invaluable when you’re affected by cancer and help to re-inforce that there is support available to you.

Self-help and support groups offer the chance for people to share information and talk to others who really understand how they are feeling.

Download the impact brief for Self-help and support groups [PDF].

In 2014 self-help and support groups which received Macmillan funding reached 12,760 people affected by cancer.

Financial help and support

Macmillan Grants

The Macmillan Grants programme provides one off payments to people affected by cancer who are on low incomes and in need of immediate assistance.

Macmillan Grants are available for specific items or services where the costs have arisen from, or are associated with, a cancer diagnosis.

People affected by cancer often incur extra costs that our grants can help towards such as increased heating bills, travel to hospital, buying extra clothing and help with funding a much needed break.

Download the impact brief for Macmillan Grants [PDF].

Last updated: July 2015

In 2014, 33,011 people living with cancer received a Macmillan Grant, totalling around £9.9 million.

Local benefits and advice service

People living with cancer often have increased costs and reduced income as a result of their cancer diagnosis. However many are not aware of the benefits they are entitled to.

Macmillan helps by providing benefits advice in a variety of ways including through the support and funding of local benefits advice services, the production and distribution of high quality printed materials, directly through our website, and through our support line on 0800 808 00 00.

Download the impact brief for Local Benefits Advice Services [PDF].

Last updated: January 2016

In 2014, our national network of face-to-face Macmillan benefits advisers reached around 122,600 people affected by cancer, identifying over £181.4 million in benefits.

How we're helping people

Amrik on giving back

'Fundraising gives you such a good energy.'

Claire on support from her Macmillan community nurse, Mandy

'Mandy’s always got the answers for me and gives good advice on what to do.'

Vivek on getting support

'It definitely helps when you have someone there to help you get through it.'

Rocio on taking back control

'Do whatever it is that you need to feel good and get back control.'

Latest from the Online Community

Blog post

Why should we talk about cancer?

Read Imogen's blog about her experience as a Macmillan support line volunteer. She highlights the benefits of talking about cancer and looks at some of the different ways people can start talking.

Featured group

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If you've just joined up and aren't sure where to start, this is the group for you. Tell us a bit about what brings you here, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Someone will be on hand to welcome you and point you in the right direction