Linc cuts counselling wait times for local blood cancer patients
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Shining a spotlight on Blood Cancer Awareness Month
24 September 2026, Gloucestershire: Local charity Linc has launched its new free counselling service with zero wait times to help patients and their families dealing with a blood cancer diagnosis access essential mental health care.
The Linc Counselling Service was officially opened by Cotswold TV celebrity, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and wife Jackie, who are both charity patrons, on Wednesday 23 September at a special event at the Patch, The Forum in Gloucester.
Announced during Blood Cancer Awareness month, the launch marks a significant milestone in the charity's five-year strategy to expand support for people living with blood cancer across Gloucestershire.
Recent NHS data reports that 87% of UK patients accessed the health service’s free counselling and mental health service within 6 weeks of a referral this year, down from 91% in 2025 and 92% in 2024. Through Linc's Counselling Service, local patients are contacted by a counsellor either the same day or within one working day of referral, ensuring they can access emotional support when they need it most.
Operating as a six-month pilot, the service will provide approximately 360 hours of free counselling for around 40 patients and family members, with plans to scale to meet growing demands.
Louise Neal, CEO of Linc, said: “People facing a blood cancer diagnosis often need support quickly as they navigate life-changing treatment.
"This was really clear from the views we gathered late last year from patients, families and clinicians. More is needed for wellbeing and specifically counselling on top of the incredible clinical psychology service we already fund.
"A diagnosis creates a ripple effect where people are understandably worried about what the future looks like, while trying to manage everyday life on top. It hits the family hard as they are the ones juggling everything while worrying about their loved one and feeling helpless. If we can help them, they can help the patient more.
"Our counsellors also work with patients who have finished their treatment. They help them process what they have gone through and what their life post cancer looks like as the fear of reoccurrence is very real.”
Emma Tom, 46, a local resident from Chalford, benefited from Linc's support. Emma was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia in 2023 after experiencing increasing breathlessness and heaviness in her arms and legs. Following a bone marrow biopsy, doctors discovered that 80% of her blood cells were leukaemia cells. She was given a low chance of survival and immediately began intensive chemotherapy treatment.
The diagnosis forced her to stop work overnight, placing additional emotional and financial pressures on the family while her husband became the primary carer for their two children and the only earner in the household.
Emma said: “Dealing with a blood cancer diagnosis and treatment is as much a mental battle as it is a physical one. My brilliant doctors and nurses took great care of the medical side of things but it was the amazing psychological support we received from Linc Charity which was fundamental to helping me get in the right mindset for treatment, manage my emotions and fears and enable me to find the emotional resilience and strength to keep going and to support my children through such a difficult time.
"Through Linc funded therapy sessions my children were given a safe space at school to talk, ask questions and process their feelings while their mum was in hospital. We are forever grateful.”
The confidential space operates from the charity’s dedicated Wellbeing Space at its headquarters in the Patch. The service is funded entirely by donations, for example, £800 could help provide 12 weeks of counselling.
As one of the oldest hospital charities in the county, it has supported tens of thousands of adults and their families since 1998, working closely with the Haematology departments at Gloucester Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen said: "Cutting the ribbon to open Linc's wonderful new counselling service was a real privilege. Linc has been supporting people affected by blood cancer for many years, and this is a fabulous addition to the care available locally. A diagnosis can turn someone's world upside down in an instant, bringing uncertainty and emotional strain for the whole family.
"A free counselling service with no wait time means people can access support when they need it most, helping them feel less alone during one of the most challenging periods of their lives."
Kevin McNamara, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: " We are incredibly grateful to Linc for its continued support of people affected by blood cancer in Gloucestershire. Having a dedicated space outside the hospital, where patients and their families can access free advice, information and emotional support, will make a real difference at what can be a very challenging time."
For more information on the Linc Counselling service and ways to donate to help keep the service free, visit - https://linccharity.org/counselling-service/.
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Editors notes
Click HERE to view Linc’s virtual newsroom, where you will find:
- A copy of this news release
- A Linc Logo
- Image of Louise Neal, CEO of Linc Charity (credit: Thousand World Media)
- Image of Emma Tom, blood cancer patient, and her family
- Image of new counselling space
For media enquiries, please contact:
Emily Goold/Verity Blake at HeadOn PR:
emilygoold@headonpr.co.uk / verityblake@headonpr.co.uk or 01242 335246
About Linc:
Linc is a small local charity working to enhance the care of patients receiving treatment within Gloucestershire Hospitals for blood cancer. Linc is there for patients and their families, from the time of diagnosis, throughout treatment and for as long as required.
It supports blood cancer patients and their families across Gloucestershire with counselling, clinical psychology, financial help and funded research.
