A cancer support worker from Wirral who helps care for people with breast cancer has launched a new initiative to support her patients and go the extra mile.
Mauren Williams, a former nurse from Little Sutton, is now a Breast Cancer Support Worker here at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre's Wirral hospital. She’s launched ‘Hug in a Bag’, a project to provide comfort and support for people going through treatment with heartfelt gifts and treats.
The bags are filled with small comforts that will support patients and help alleviate some of the side effects of treatment including handheld fans, hot water bottles, lip balm, sweets and complementary yoga sessions.
All the items are sustainably sourced, many from local companies, with financial support from Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.
supported by Maureen's team at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
in Wirral
This isn’t the first time Maureen, known as Mo to her patients, has gone above and beyond for those she supports. She says: “Hug in Bag began a few years ago when I started sending personalised postcards to patients with messages of support.
“People going through cancer treatment have so much to deal with and consider, I thought they might like to receive a little pick-me-up to let them know they’re being thought about.
“After the postcards, I thought why not elevate this to small gifts and that’s where Hug in a Bag was born. Each bag is filled with love, care and a big cuddle from everyone at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. I’ve been overwhelmed by the response and I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve had in bringing this idea to life.”
The bags will initially be handed out to patients going through breast cancer treatment on the Wirral, but Maureen hopes to be able to expand the project to the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre’s other sites in Liverpool and Aintree, as well as give them to more patients.
Simon Bunting is Innovation Manager at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and champions new ideas from staff and patients to bring them to life. He said: “Here at CCC we have a thing called ‘Time to think’ in which staff can have half an hour with me to talk about their idea and how to take it forward.
“That is how Mo and me met back in early 2024 and she wanted some funding to support her postcard idea. We managed to get the funding and Mo scaled her postcards but I knew she had other ideas in the pipeline.
“Hug in a Bag is one of those ideas that is so brilliant, you think: “why didn’t we do this years ago?”. And it didn’t come out of a strategy meeting, it came from empathy and emotional intelligence.”
Natalie Collins, co-founder of Roots in Wellness CiC (Community Interest Company) based in Hoylake, is one of the people Maureen has supported at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre after her own breast cancer diagnosis in May 2023. Natalie has crowd funded a wellness space offering affordable and subsidised yoga classes, including a Cancer Support Membership. She has contributed to the bags with a yoga session for patients and believes in the benefit they will have for those going through cancer treatment.
“Mo has been such a huge support to me since my diagnosis so I didn’t hesitate to offer my support when she mentioned Hug in a Bag.
“As patients, we receive so much paperwork and information. Mo recognised that we don’t need another leaflet, sometimes it’s about comfort, reassurance and, quite frankly, a hug. These bags go such a long way in helping to bring that personal element of care to a patient’s experience.”
Maureen and Nikki Best from Clatterbridge Cancer Charity
Mo recently hosted a launch party for her Hug in a Bag initiative, inviting colleagues from across the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, as well as patients and their families to see the bags in person. Also present was Liverpool and England legend John Barnes, who has supported Mo’s fundraising for both the patient postcards and Hug in a Bag.
Katrina Bury, Chief Executive of Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, said: “For 30 years, one of the main aims of Clatterbridge Cancer Charity has been to enhance patients’ experience and the Hug in a Bag will certainly do that.
“I’ve no doubt receiving one of the bags will be of huge comfort for patients and I’d like to thank our supporters for their donations which have supported Mo’s innovative idea.”
