Cancer charity continues its wider help for vulnerable

Cancer Support France has widened its activity so that anyone who is elderly, vulnerable, isolated or has any kind of health issue can make contact for emotional and practical support, given by telephone or email.

Details of the extended service

The extended service, undertaken by its trained Active Listeners, launched in March and the charity reports a steady stream of new contacts. Some are directly related to Covid-19, others from people affected by cancer and concerned about their access to treatment. President Pat Lockett says: “CSF will continue to support those who approach us, whether or not affected by cancer, as we head into the next phase of management of the Covid-19 emergency.”

To contact CSF, tel: 0800 240 200 or email: helpline@cancersupportfrance.org.

Read more: long hospital stays: what is a personne de confiance?

The British Charitable Fund is here to help, too

The British Charitable Fund (BCF), which helps any Britons living in France who are suffering real financial hardship, says it has surprisingly not received a large number of applications for help based on the threat of the virus.

It has received three applications from people who lost their jobs because work came to an end during confinement and a fourth who needs support because a key festival he works on was cancelled. It has been very aware that its existing beneficiaries have suffered from an accentuation of their solitude because, whether in hospitals, care centres or at home, they have been unable to receive visits from friends or family.

The BCF’s welfare team has been doing its best to keep in touch by telephone, though the charity says it is aware this is meagre compensation, especially when a person is hard of hearing. The British Charitable Fund is a 200-year-old charity which gives top-up, long or short-term discretionary monthly grants to help with outgoings such as rent, electricity, food and heating.

It will also provide an occasional grant for someone who needs help in a one-off situation, for example, they cannot pay for repairs to a boiler or a car, a training course to help get back into the job market, or the cost of repatriation. Every month it pays out about €25,000 to around 100 households to help them cope. To apply for help, call 01 47 59 07 69, email office@bcfparis.org or see britishcharitablefundparis.org.

Read more: Cancer Support France's fundraising and awareness event, Cycle for Life, has been postponed