PEOPLE across Glasgow are now at most only one mile from cancer information and support following the roll out of a charity service.

Macmillan @ Glasgow Libraries Cancer Information & Support Services is now in five more centres across the city.

Macmillan Cancer Support and Glasgow Life have recently completed the development of custom built Cancer Information & Support Services within Dennistoun, Drumchapel, Royston, Partick and Castlemilk Libraries.

These new services join the existing services to provide 34 services in total across the city.

Macmillan’s Head of Services, Janice Preston said: “When someone is diagnosed with cancer or a loved one is diagnosed, they have lots of questions and concerns.

"They shouldn’t have to wait until their next hospital appointment to get answers or have to travel across the city to get support.

“That’s why we have worked with Glasgow Life to provide a Macmillan Cancer Information & Support service in libraries across the city.

"This will allow everyone with cancer or their friends and families to access the support and information they need on their doorstep, something we know is very important to people at a very difficult time.”

Each new service provides local access to information and support and contains private rooms for free complementary therapy and counselling appointments, delivered with Cancer Support Scotland.

The addition of these venues has completed the roll out of the Macmillan @ Glasgow Libraries Programme.

As previously told in the Evening Times, there had been nearly 8000 attendances from people in Glasgow at drop-in centres since 2012 and these new services will mean even more individuals have access to the support and information they need on their doorstep.

As well as specialist cancer information and emotional support, the service can refer people onto other Glasgow-based Macmillan services, including benefits advice, a vocational rehabilitation service and a financial guidance project.

Volunteer counsellor Audrey McDevitt, who is from the Cancer Support Scotland part of the service, said: "I think it is an absolutely fantastic service, which more and more people will need to use as there are more and more people now being diagnosed with, living with and surviving cancer.

"A lot of people don't know this service is here and just how close they are to it but it is a great benefit to so many."

Archie Graham, chairman of Glasgow Life, said: “Glasgow Life is committed to using its place at the very heart of the Glasgow community to support people living with and beyond cancer and their families.

“With thousands of people in the city affected by cancer, I’m proud that our partnership with Macmillan makes it as easy as possible for people to get the support they need on their doorstep, because no-one in our city should face cancer alone.”

Glasgow Libraries works with Macmillan to provide a network of cancer information and support services at the heart of the community, offering emotional and practical support to anyone who is affected by cancer.

To find out more, see www.glasgowlife.org.uk/libraries/macmillan-at-glasgow-libraries or call 0141 287 2999.