Services
Macmillan Next Steps
Cancer rehabilitation
Next Steps is an NHS specialist cancer rehabilitation service which provides a number of services and courses to support anyone living in Gloucestershire who has been diagnosed with breast, prostate, lung, head neck, colorectal, gynaecology, haematological or upper gastrointestinal cancer.
You can refer into the service if you are 18 years or above and live in Gloucestershire and/or registered with a GP practice within Gloucestershire.
Contact us
2nd Floor, Southgate Moorings
2 Kimbrose Way
Gloucester
GL1 2DB
Email nextsteps@ghc.nhs.uk
Telephone 0300 421 6586
Courses
Take Control
Take Control is a three-hour course which provides tools and strategies that enhance and maintain health and wellbeing. A focus is given to topics that commonly affect people after a diagnosis, such as fatigue, stress, diet, exercise, sleep and fear of recurrence. Open to any diagnosis (within service scope).
On this page
1:1 clinic appointments
Appointments are available with our cancer specialists (dietitian, physiotherapist, personal trainer and fatigue management) to enhance recovery from the physical and psychological consequences of cancer.
Community classes in Gloucestershire
These classes are organised locally, outside of the Next Steps service
Dursley
When: Wednesday 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Location: The pulse leisure centre, GL11 4BS
Instructors: Nicky Cull and Claire Holdsworth
Patient able to turn up for the class but is welcome to email Nicky prior to attending: tinkercottage@hotmail.co.uk
Stroud
When: Friday, 2pm – 3pm
Location: Stratford park leisure centre, GL5 4AF
Instructor: Jason Mather
If patient’s are interested in this class then to ring us so that we can offer a telephone appointment to complete the referral link.
For Macmilan Next Step staff, use the Gloucestershire Online Referral Form
Cheltenham
When: Monday, 9.30am – 10.30am
Location: Cheltehnam ladies college, GL50 2NX
Instructors: Ridhi Verma and Brendon Ward
Patient able to turn up for the class but is welcome to email Ridhi prior to attending: ridhi@firstlinephysio.co.uk
When: Friday, 9.30am – 10.30am
Location: Maggies, Cheltenham, GL53 7QB
Instructor: Jason Mather
Contact Maggies to book in: 01242 250611
If you are interested in a Health Card for Cheltenham leisure centre which allows you access to the leisure centre for a set period of time at a reduced rate please contact us on 0300 421 6586.
Cirencester
No cancer rehab class currently running in Cirencester. However for details of the local gym and other non-cancer related classes please contact Freedom Leisure Centre, Cirencester, GL7 1US. Telephone: 01285 654057
Gloucester
When: Tuesday, 11.15am – 12.15pm
Location: Charlie’s Charlie’s Centre Gloucester
Instructor: Hannah Thomas
Call 01452 939000 or 07786 547 439 to book, or by email: charlies2014@yahoo.co.uk
If you are interested in a Health Card for GL1 leisure centre which allows you access to the leisure centre for a 12-16 week period of time at a reduced rate please contact us on 0300 421 6586.
Tewkesbury
When: Monday, 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Location: Northway Hub, Tewkesbury, GL20 8QG
Instructor: Helen Yarnold
Patient able to turn up for the class but is welcome to email Helen prior to attending: helen.yarnold@btinternet.com
When: Friday, 2pm – 3pm
Location: Tewksbury Leisure Centre, GL20 5SX
Instructor: Helen Yarnold
Patient able to turn up for the class but is welcome to email Helen prior to attending: helen.yarnold@btinternet.com
Forest of Dean
When: Tuesdays, 11.30am – 12.15pm
Location: Lydney, Freedom Leisure centre, GL15 5DZ
Instructor: TBC
If patient’s are interested in this class then to ring us so that we can offer a telephone appointment to complete the referral link.
For Macmilan Next Step staff, use the Gloucestershire Online Referral Form
When: Wednesday, 11.30am – 12.30pm
Location: Mitcheldean community centre, GL17 0BQ
Instructor: TBC
If patient’s are interested in this class then to ring us so that we can offer a telephone appointment to complete the referral link.
For Macmilan Next Step staff, use the Gloucestershire Online Referral Form
When: Thursday, 3.15am – 4.15pm
Location: Newent community centre , GL18 1BD
Instructor: TBC
If patient’s are interested in this class then to ring us so that we can offer a telephone appointment to complete the referral link.
For Macmilan Next Step staff, use the Gloucestershire Online Referral Form
Bourton on the water
When: Wednesday, 9.30am – 10.30am
Location: Bourton on the water leisure centre, GL54 2BD
Instructor: Tracy McCue
Patient to contact Bourton Leisure Centre to discuss with Tracy McCue, telephone number: 01451 824024
HOPE - Helping Overcome Problems Effectively
This four-week self-management course developed by Macmillan and Coventry University, explores those topics touched on in ‘Take Control’ in more depth, as well as additional subjects, including:
- body changes
- intimacy and relationships
- communication with friends, relatives and health professionals
- life priorities
- managing uncertainty and fear of recurrence
- looking after yourself and looking forward
Open to any diagnosis (within service scope).
Recipe for Health
A six-week programme about living a healthy life style through diet and exercise, targeting weight management The course is run by our specialist dietitian and a therapies assistant practitioner.
Active Every Day
A physical programme which runs for one hour a week over six weeks. This course is tailored to your ability and needs and is led by our cancer specialist physiotherapists and exercise specialists who are trained to safely help you become and stay active.
Healthy on Hormones
An education workshop run collaboratively with the Prostate team from Gloucestershire Hospitals NHSFT, for men diagnosed with prostate cancer who have been started on hormones as part of their treatment. The workshop covers how the hormones work, common side effects and management techniques, including diet and exercise.
Breast Health and Wellbeing Workshop
A bespoke collaboration between Macmillan Next Steps Cancer Rehabilitation, the breast care nurses and Macmillan Breast Cancer Support Worker, which is offered to all people who have completed their treatment for breast cancer and have received an end-of-treatment summary.
Gynaecology Health and Wellbeing Workshop
A bespoke collaboration between Macmillan Next Steps Cancer Rehabilitation and the Gynaecology Cancer Support Worker at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHSFT, offered to all people who have completed their treatment for a gynaecology cancer.
Breast Stretch Class
The Breast Stretch class aims to improve range of movement and strength of the upper body following treatment for breast cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It also aims to improve knowledge of conditions such as cording, lymphoedema and scar tissue management.
Fatigue Workshop
This two-and-a-half hour workshop aims to provide patients with the opportunity to be with others who are experiencing fatigue and to deliver education so they better understand the causes of fatigue, and how to manage their energy levels in the future.
Prostate Fatigue Workshop
This two-and-a-half hour workshop is specific to those with a prostate cancer diagnosis who are experiencing fatigue. It provides the opportunity for people to be with others who are experiencing fatigue and delivers education to help them better understand the causes of fatigue and how to manage their energy levels in the future.
One-to-one Physiotherapy
Our specialist physiotherapy clinic provides a 1:1 opportunity to assess and treat the physical side effects of cancer treatment. This includes joint pain, cording, reduced movement, scar management, peripheral neuropathy and strengthening post-surgery.
A range of evidence-based treatments, such as manual therapy, soft tissues release, exercise, physical activity and wider resources to ensure self-management is used.
One-to-one Dietitian
The dietetic element of the service is provided by an Oncology Specialist Dietitian. Supporting and maintaining appropriate healthy eating behaviours after a cancer diagnosis is vital for recovery and healing, as well as dealing with the effects treatment can have on a person’s nutritional status and body shape.
Tailored advice and support is given on subjects such as weight management, nutritional support and bowel dysfunction, as well as clarifying the facts and myths of diet and cancer.
One-to-one Personal Trainer
Individualised training plans are developed which are appropriate to individual needs. Specific advice is given for pelvic floor management and core strengthening. The service is delivered by Level 4 cancer rehabilitation-trained senior health trainers.
One-to-one Fatigue Management
The 1:1 Fatigue Management Service looks at assessing all aspects of a patient’s life to approach fatigue management in a bespoke manner. Education is provided on recognition of how a person uses their energy, what provides them with energy, and how to manage energy levels using various methods of management strategies.
A patient’s progress is assessed from start to end of their fatigue support by using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue (FACIT-F) assessment tool.
One-to-one Health and Wellbeing Facilitator
The Health and Wellbeing Facilitators give more in-depth support for individual health and wellbeing topics such as sleep, mindfulness and relaxation. Part of the role also includes the triage of new patients into service to ensure all needs are assessed and appropriate services are offered.
Meet the team
Parisa - Macmillan Cancer Specialist AHP/Joint Clinical Lead
Dr Ashley Dawson, Senior Counselling Psychologist
Specialist Dietitians Jo and Hayley
Specialist Physiotherapists Annie and Sian
Katie - Assistant Practitioner
Health and Wellbeing Facilitators Heather and Amy
Health Trainers Felice and Laura
Our Health Trainers Felice and Laura are qualified in working with those that have been through cancer and its treatments, so they can return to exercise with a safe and effective approach.
They assist people in building their confidence levels to get going with exercise again and help them achieve their health and fitness goals.
Team Coordinators Sarah and Helen
Hello, we are Sarah and Helen, and we are the Team Coordinators for the Next Steps Rehabilitation Team. We job share so split the role perfectly across the week (in our opinion!). Our main role is to be the first point of contact for patients and referrers into our service, be that via telephone or email.
We also coordinate the patient workshops across the county and book one-to-one appointments with the team. It’s an extremely busy and rewarding role which we both thoroughly enjoy.
In addition to the ‘day job’, Sarah is fully trained to support the team in running our Take Control and HOPE workshops, and Helen is a trained fitness instructor, so supports the physical activity team in running our circuit classes.
Outside of work we both keep busy looking after our families, socialising with friends and running and swimming.
Sam - Business Administration Apprentice
Refer yourself
Call 0300 421 6586 to speak to one of our friendly team who be happy to explain what is on offer.
We’ll be in touch with you to arrange your appointment.
Useful links
- Macmillan: www.macmillan.org.uk
- Macmillan Move More
- Maggie’s: www.maggiescentres.org
- Charlie’s: www.charlies.org.uk
- Longfield: www.longfield.org.uk
- Prostate Cancer UK: prostatecanceruk.org
- Breast Cancer Now: https://breastcancernow.org
- Blood Cancer UK: https://bloodcancer.org.uk
- Oesophageal Patients Association: https://opa.org.uk
- Guts UK: https://gutscharity.org.uk
- Pancreatic Cancer UK: https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk
- Cancer Research UK: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org
- The Eve Appeal: https://eveappeal.org.uk
- Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust: https://www.jostrust.org.uk
- Target Ovarian Cancer: https://targetovariancancer.org.uk
- Bowel Cancer UK: https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk
- Gloucestershire Carers Hub: https://gloucestershirecarershub.co.uk
- Shine Cancer Support: https://shinecancersupport.org
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I completed my treatment for cancer a few years ago, can I still access the service?
Yes, of course. There is no time limit on our support. We provide rehabilitation to people who have just finished treatment, are a number of years into their recovery or are living with cancer.
Which cancer sites do you accept?
We are currently open to prostate, colorectal, gynaecology, haematology, upper gastrointestinal and breast cancer patients.
Do you offer only face-to-face appointments?
We offer a range of appointments to suit your needs, including face to face, telephone and online (Attend Anywhere).
Where are your clinic and workshop locations?
We are a countywide service. We currently run clinics and courses from various locations, including:
- Southgate Moorings, Gloucester
- GL1 Leisure Centre, Gloucester
- Cirencester Hospital
- Mythe Medical Practice, Tewkesbury
- Longfield Hospice, Minchinhampton
- The Redding’s Community Centre, Cheltenham
- St Lawrence’s Church Hall, Barnwood
Videos
Watch the videos below for an introduction to the service, and discover patients’ stories about their experiences with Next Steps.
