Befriending Scheme

Do you need some help?
If so contact our befriending scheme.

One of the Society's twin aims is to offer the chance for parents to give each other mutual help, support and comfort. Our befriending scheme has members who are willing to share experiences with others, and all stages of the disease are represented.

Support is available, usually by telephone, to parents and other close family members of a child with neuroblastoma. This is in addition to professional advice and support offered from the treatment centre. Medical matters should always be referred to the treatment team.

Please contact Caroline Nicolaides (01344 442302) if you would like to talk to somebody who has been through a similar situation.

The Neuroblastoma Society Booklet

Click here for an online version of the booklet, or alternatively, contact the Secretary for a booklet to be posted to you.

Are you able to help somebody else?

The purpose of the Society's befriending scheme is to give informal support, usually by telephone, to parents and other close family members of a child with neuroblastoma. It is in addition to, and not a substitute for, professional advice and support offered from the treatment centre. Sharing your experience with others can reopen your own painful memories. Please take this into account when deciding whether to join the register.

If you would like to discuss whether you would want to help please call Caroline on 01344 442302 or email at n.nicolaides@virgin.net

Enquirers who call the Society are matched using the personal information you give. At that stage you will then be asked if you are willing to help, and if so when it would be convenient for you to take a call.

With your agreement your name and telephone number would be passed onto the enquirer, and it would then be up to the enquirer to make the first contact. Although you may get to this stage, not all enquirers follow up the opportunity to call you, so do not be surprised if you do not hear anything further.

You are not expected to be a trained counsellor. Nevertheless there are some befriending skills that would help you make the enquiry more effective. Please remember that the enquirer should address all medical questions to their own treatment team. You should avoid becoming involved in a discussion about the treatment being given.

All conversations should be treated as confidential. At the end of the conversation you can discuss whether the person wants to call again, and perhaps agree the frequency. You need to recognise your own limitations of knowledge, time and feelings. Set your own limits for involvement, and do not take everything on. Normally you should leave it for the enquirer to call you again, rather than undertaking to call them.

Remember, if you do not feel able to continue supporting someone, please let the Society know so that somebody else can take over the task.