A place offering sanctuary for those affected by cancer or any life-threatening illness opens in the south on Tuesday (April 4).

The drop in centre, operated by Hospice Isle of Man, runs from 12.45pm-6.15pm at Port Erin Methodist Church Hall.

Its launch builds on the success of drop-in sessions in Douglas and Ramsey.

The service, which is open to patients, relatives, carers or anyone seeking information or advice, is staffed by friendly professionals and volunteers who can help find the support a person needs, from practical and emotional issues to form filling. Their expertise is freely available to the public in one-to-one sessions, workshops, or supportive groups. Bereavement counselling is also available. There will also be complementary therapy taster sessions.

The sessions are very well used elsewhere - last year in Douglas on Wednesdays alone by 977 people and in Ramsey by 730 people - a roughly a third of whom are carers. The Scholl Wellbeing Centre Day Unit manager Wendy Smith said: ’This drop in will be a place of sanctuary on the high street where you can retreat and discuss starting cancer treatment, returning to work after cancer, support beyond treatment, living with long-term conditions, support for young children and or signposting to other services.’

She said often people ask questions they think of later after having seen the medics, ’the shock of diagnosis can push questions out of the consciousness’.

She added: ’We aim to support people and all help is freely available for those who need it including carers, family members and loved ones.

’As a lot of patients on the island receive treatment off island some support on island could be hugely beneficial between treatments.’

For information, phone 647400.