Cancer patients in the Brighton area unable to get food during the lockdown

Mhairi Donald is currently giving out 60 food parcels a week from her base at the Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton.

Working mainly at the Sussex Cancer Centre, she assesses and treats diet and nutrition related problems, supporting people living with cancer and their families.

She said: “We have lots of patients who are very vulnerable, they can’t leave the house to go shopping because they are shielding – so how do they get their food?

“Many of our patients are classified as clinically extremely vulnerable and this group is advised to shield – stay at home at all times and avoid face to face contacts, they can’t leave their home for anything other than their treatment.

“They can register online for support via the government website for support and with the supermarkets for online shopping but some of our patients don’t have the access or capacity to do that.

“Some people do not have families to help them or families living nearby, they’re going through gruelling chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy, it’s very difficult for them.

“Some people who are undergoing treatment and should be shielding are running the gauntlet of going out to buy food because they genuinely feel they have no other option.

“And others are finding themselves in food poverty for the first time and don’t know where to turn. They might not be able to work or have a reduced or no income, their children are at home and need feeding.”

Mhairi has teamed up with FareShare Sussex, which redistributes surplus food from supermarkets to organisations within the city of Brighton and Hove and the Worthing area and usually supplies the Macmillan Horizon Centre cafe, to help feed vulnerable groups.

Donations of food have also come from a Brighton College initiative called Brighton Together, a support hub for NHS staff involving teachers, students and parents.

Deliveries from FareShare and the college are stored in the currently closed café at the Macmillan Horizon Centre.

Mhairi added: “I talk to people to see what they’re short of, make up a pack and give it to them.

“While some people will know what they want and ask for it, others won’t want to ask for help and I have to tease what they need out of them.

“We’ll have a conversation about the week ahead and establish that they need, whether that’s something from their regular diet or a different type of food to what they are used to. We can establish that through a conversation and get them what they need.

“Some people are having treatment for head and neck cancers and need softer foods like soup, rice pudding and custard. Their symptoms might get worse preventing them swallowing properly as time goes on.

“We give out 60 parcels a week. All our work is done face to face at the cancer centre. Some individuals who have struggled with getting their shopping have also been supported by the Brighton Together volunteers who have shopped and delivered directly to those people.

“Even those who are getting regular food need help, they might be anxious or their appetite might be affected. People do better if they are well-nourished. Food is nurturing as well, even something like a chocolate biscuit can lift people’s spirits.”

Jeanette Morris, who lives in Brighton, is currently undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer at the Sussex Cancer Centre and is isolating with her husband Bill.

Jeanette said: “For some reason, I had been on nobody’s list as elderly vulnerable coronavirus high risk category, despite trying to sign up on the internet and by telephone.

“As the lockdown weeks passed, my food supplies were becoming ‘make do and mend’ and sometimes ‘do without’. I realised my mental well-being was being unconsciously undermined by the concerns over diminishing food at home.

“When I came in for the start of yet another chemotherapy new drug, I was flabbergasted to be offered food support. I was overwhelmed and amazed and I can’t sufficiently express just how invaluable it is to be given and to receive such help.

“It has been a tremendous relief to receive good, helpful, essential food from Mhairi’s stock.

“It is a lifeline for patients like myself who are going through savage chemotherapy. When I received support food, it has been like a great weight being lifted off my shoulders.”

Geoff Brown, Macmillan Horizon Centre manager, said: “At the Macmillan Horizon Centre, we’re doing all we can to adapt and give people living with cancer the support they need during the crisis.

“So while our café can’t operate as usual, Mhairi has been doing an incredible job to get people the vital food supplies they need. The Horizon Centre is also still here for people living with cancer with a comprehensive package of phone and online support – just give us a call on 01273 468770.”

To donate to Macmillan Cancer Support, visit www.macmillan.org.uk/emergency or call 0300 1000 200.

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