Paul has been a visitor at the Centre for the past five years, after a diagnosis of neck, tongue and throat cancer.
“My treatment was absolutely horrendous but then it came to an end and I was lost,” says Paul. “I felt I was still playing a waiting game and there was no help out there and nobody to talk to. Then a friend told me about Pickering and, to be honest, the support I’ve received here has been my ‘saving grace’.”
He continues: “This place is like a ‘great big cuddle’ when you really need it. And it’s not just the volunteers who support us; talking to other visitors makes a difference too. Everyone here is on their own personal journey but just sharing what we are going through together really helps.”
Paul is keen to give back to Pickering and, as a singer and musician, has found friends in the music industry who have donated guitars for our visitors to enjoy. His band has also played at our events, while he’s currently giving guitar lessons to some of our visitors.
“Pickering is my safe space, where I feel I can be as open and honest as I want,” he says. “Cancer can be horrific and upsetting but visiting Pickering provides a distraction and there’s always somebody here for me. Everyone has been amazing and I come in whenever I can. But, it’s not all doom and gloom, we have a laugh together, which is really important.”