“Tania has helped me to open up and improved my confidence.”

66-year-old Peter Bowler, from Stone, was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer around seven years ago and received treatment, but unfortunately his cancer spread and Peter was given the devastating news that his diagnosis was terminal.

Peter explained, “When I received my terminal diagnosis it was a big shock. My Oncologist told me that there wasn’t any further treatment available to me and suggested referring me to Dougie Mac for support.

“I knew of Dougie Mac and where it was, as I used to live on Barlaston Road. My Mum also worked in the kitchen at the hospice more than 40 years ago, but I didn’t really know about the different services that were available because I’d never needed them before.

“Someone got in touch with me and suggested that I might benefit from speaking to one of the counsellors. I was a bit sceptical at first and it takes me a while to trust people, but I started face-to-face sessions with Tania, one of the Dougie Mac counsellors, and she’s been absolutely brilliant.

“I’ve been seeing her for two or three years now, usually via Zoom, as that’s easier for me than getting to the hospice. She makes me feel so at ease and I can really open up to her. I’m quite a closed person and don’t like to discuss things, but Tania has helped me to open up and improved my confidence. She’ll make suggestions and give me techniques to help me cope with my feelings and thoughts and we arrange regular meetings but I know that she’s there if I need her in between our planned sessions.

“I’m so grateful that Tania became my counsellor and I’m thankful to everyone who supports Dougie Mac. I think most people in Stoke-on-Trent know the name ‘Dougie Mac’ but most people don’t really know what the hospice does or how good it is – you only realise how great something is when you experience it for yourself.”