A Wessex Cancer Trust centre in Bournemouth has got a new manager.
Steffi Colbert, a previous volunteer at the centre, is now responsible for keeping it running after she became its manager four weeks ago.
Having dealt with squamous cells cancer before, which affected her head and neck and after reflecting on her skills as a qualified counsellor, she felt it was the righteous decision to apply for the job at the time.
The change as she says, felt a little bit overwhelming but she is enjoying it due to the support received from the clients and volunteers every day.
Steffi stated: “The volunteers are incredibly supportive. If anything, they are the ones who showed me what I need to be doing on a day to day basis to do the role, because actually it is a lot to take in.”
One of the people who is in favour of the replacement is Carmel Gilpin, who has suffered from breast cancer. One of the centre’s regular clients, she is excited about the new change and is very supportive of it.
“I think she will be brilliant. She’s creative, really caring and really passionate about the centre as well” said Carmel.
Another supporter is also Sheila Wells, a volunteer befriender who has been offering information and support to people coming to Bournemouth Cancer Support Centre for four years, since it first opened in 2016.
She said: “Steffi was a befriender before. She knows the system.”
Sheila does not suffer from any type of cancer but coming here has given her an “appreciation of good self”.
As for the future plans Steffi has for the charity, she will try to liaise regularly with fundraising teams and continue to focus on raising more money as well as setting up regular meetings where volunteers and befrienders can communicate once a month. Helping communication to grow is one of the needed changes.
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