Cancer support with Joining the Dots
Macmillan Joining the Dots County Durham is a free, personal service for people aged 18 and over who live or are registered with a GP within County Durham and have been directly affected by cancer. We’re also there for people who directly care for people who have a cancer diagnosis.
- Family
- Physical
- Lifestyle information
- Emotional
- Spiritual or religious
- Practical or money
Even if you think you don’t need help and support right now, we can listen to you and make sure that you have the right information and support when you need it.
What we do
What to expect when you speak to a facilitator for the first time:
- We will talk to you about your needs and how we can help you (we call this a Holistic Needs Assessment)
- We will draw up an action plan based on your needs
- We know what kind of support is available in our local communities, including agencies and organisations; we can coordinate all of these to help you
- We know that your needs may change, so we work flexibly with you to ensure you get the right support
Looking for events, groups or activities near you?
We’re here to help
If you need support or have a question, don’t hesitate to get in touch
How we've helped
Emma, a mother of two, was referred to Joining the Dots in 2024 by the Macmillan Information Centre following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2022. She remained strong, even as she faced a recurrence in 2024 and a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer in 2025. Emma continued to receive supportive care and was surrounded by the...
We spoke to Lynne Carr earlier this year when she shared how Joining the Dots had supported her throughout her breast cancer journey. Now finished treatment Lynne attended a six week course HOPE is a course developed by Macmillan Cancer Support and Coventry University to support you after cancer treatment. Each course is run by a...
Lynne Carr describes her experience with Joining the Dots as like having her own personal google search that knew exactly what she was looking for. Diagnosed in October 2023 with breast cancer she said the experience felt like a blur. As a family educator who supports adult wellbeing, she understood the process of accessing services, but...
We recently worked with an elderly gentleman who had recently been diagnosed with cancer and who lives alone but with the support of his family. He was starting to find day to day living increasingly difficult. His main concern was his daughter who was providing most of his care, supporting him with his medication, meals and...
A client had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was going through radiotherapy treatment when she contacted Joining the Dots for support. Joining the Dots Facilitator Sonia Reay, supported her with her finances initially, with a referral to Macmillan Welfare Rights. However, as treatment progressed, she found out that the cancer had spread and unfortunately there...
A Joining the Dots facilitator recently visit a 90-year-old gentleman with terminal facial cancer and suspected pancreatic cancer. The gentleman’s palliative care nurse had been supporting with pain management and he had been prescribed some pain medication. When we spoke to the gentleman it became apparent this medication was due to run out in a couple...
An 80 year old lady with terminal lung cancer had recently moved into supported accommodation due to her deteriorating health. Her family had been helping to get her settled but she needed further support to move furniture and with some other small jobs. She couldn’t do these herself but felt guilty asking her family to support...
Joining the Dots had been working with a gentleman receiving palliative care and whose daughter was struggling to see the change in her dad whilst receiving treatment. Our facilitator spoke to St. Teresa’s Hospice to access some support for the family and Team Solan who provided the family with days out. At Christmas time we successfully...
Joining the Dots supported a lady with a breast cancer diagnosis, who was living in temporary accommodation with her children. The temporary accommodation was out of her local area, where her family and support networks were. She was looking for some financial support as she was struggling with the cost of living. She was looking for...
Sue Turner spoke of the support she had received from Joining the Dots over four years. Sue is a breast cancer survivor who received her diagnoses one week after the Covid-19 lockdown of 2020 first started. She also lives with Fibromyalgia, a long-term chronic condition which causes mobility issues and means she is reliant on her...
Cancer support resources
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NewsJoining the Dots has been volunteering at Willow Burn Hospice to give back to the charity for all their support. The two have created a close partnership,... -
NewsThe County Durham Macmillan Joining the Dots team welcomed Gemma Peters, Chief Executive Officer of Macmillan and her Senior Leadership Team recently to showcase their exceptional work with people... -
LeafletHope is a course developed by Macmillan Cancer Support and Coventry University to support you after cancer treatment. Each course is run by a health and social... -
Useful linkThe new name for Change4Life, still helping you to get yourselfand your kids eating well, moving more and living longer. -
Useful linkAdvice in County Durham makes it easier for you to access the right advice and support. Whether you are an individual looking for help and advice or... -
Useful linkEncouraging people to reduce their consumption –and reduce the impact that alcohol is having on the North East
Brought to you by Joining the Dots
Joining the Dots supports people aged 18 and over to live well when they have received a cancer diagnosis, are going through cancer treatment or are living beyond their diagnosis.
