We recently spent five minutes with Helen Goddard, who has been a social worker at the Canberra Region Cancer Centre (CRCC) for 3 years. Helen, pictured below with CRCC Director of Nursing, Katherine Wakefield, is helping to raise funds for Your Space – Cancer Wellbeing Centre.
How do you assist CRCC patients?
"As a Social Worker in the Cancer Supportive Care team, we aim to provide holistic care to our patients. We focus on providing emotional and practical support to patients and their families as they navigate this difficult period in their life.
This can include meeting people during diagnosis and treatment and providing support with the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis, as well as practical concerns including work, income and caring for other members of their family.
We also support patients and their families to plan for the future and navigate changes in their cancer journey.
Social Workers have specialised knowledge of support services available and can act as a referral point for additional resources including financial support, accessing help at home, transport or accommodation.
We work closely with other members of the treating team to ensure we are providing best holistic care to our patients."
How will it benefit patients, their families and loved ones to have a wellbeing centre at CRCC?
"The wellbeing centre will provide a welcoming space for patients and their carers to retreat during difficult moments of their cancer treatment. The centre will offer the opportunity for patients to access additional resources and information regarding cancer and allow an opportunity to connect with others.
It will also allow a dedicated space for Social Workers and other members of the Cancer Supportive Care Team to provide education and support in a less clinical environment.
By supporting the Vespa Raffle you will not only have the opportunity to win some fun transport (and save some money on fuel) but you will also be directly supporting current and future cancer patients to access an innovate wellbeing space at the Canberra Region Cancer Centre.”
If you are volunteering, working, visiting or receiving treatment at Canberra Hospital, you can buy tickets from CRCC reception or the Canberra Hospital Foundation shopfront in the main foyer. Or you can buy tickets online here:
Helen Goddard, Social Worker, with CRCC Director of Nursing, Katherine Wakefield, in front of the Vespa Picnic display at CRCC.
