ORGANISERS of the popular Drop In service at Kendal Cancer Care are encouraging more people to use the service.

For those facing the trauma and worry of battling cancer the Drop In, which takes place at the Lakes Centre on Blackhall Road from 10am to noon every Thursday, has proved an invaluable lifeline.

One anonymous regular who had faced severe depression and loneliness resulting from a close family member suffering from cancer, even said they believed they would not be here today if it were not for the support it offered.

Volunteer Joyce Harris and her late husband Glyn, himself a cancer patient, set up the Kendal Drop In around 34 years ago at the former Kirkland School near Kendal Parish Church, the service being moved to the Lakes Centre after Storm Desmond in 2016.

"At the Drop In we welcomed people with open arms and talked about everything," she said. “They were so desperate for someone to talk to."

Joyce said the Kendal Drop In had changed over the years: “It’s more of a social group now. Everyone is welcome to come along. We’ll welcome you with open arms.”

The Drop in service is now run by Joan Barnes and Hazel Lefevre, and Joan said new attendees of all ages would be made more than welcome.

“We would like to see more people coming along," she said.

"People can feel very lonely but when they come here they often make new friends. That helps people such a lot.

For any inquiries about the Drop in or CancerCare’s free services for those affected by cancer or other life limiting conditions, please call The Lakes Centre on 01539 735800 or go to cancercare.org.uk.