Community
Community is at the heart of what we do at the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. We work with partners to improve the lives of people living in former coalfield communities so they can reach their full potential.
CRT Together
Available in:
What is CRT Together?
CRT Together is our programme delivered in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, helping people living with cancer and their families deal with their emotional and practical needs by signposting them to local cancer support services so that no one faces cancer alone.
It is currently available in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board area which covers Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
A plan shaped by you
If you have cancer, you will be given your own dedicated Link Worker who will start by having a chat with you to help them find out your needs and concerns. Your Link Worker will then use this information to create your own personal plan to make your life easier.
Doing what’s best for you
Whether it’s talking to family and friends about cancer, helping to manage money or housing worries, getting transport to your hospital appointments we are here to help by presenting you with options so you can make the decision which is best for you as well as offering you a friendly ear to help you find solutions to your problems.
Tackling financial worries
We can help you with practical matters by helping you access the right grants and benefits to help with bills, rent, travel costs and other day to day costs. We can also help connect you with other sources of advice to help with your rent and mortgage payments.
Putting you in touch with others
We can also help you with emotional support. We work with some fantastic local cancer support groups, counselling services and one on one support including volunteers who have had their own experience of cancer so you can talk to someone who has been through a similar situation.
Support for your family and friends
CRT Together also offers support for your friends and family to help them deal with their concerns and ease their worries during this difficult time.
How to sign up
To find out more about how CRT Together can help you please get in touch with us below:
Our office hours are Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm. If you need support outside of our office hours you can contact the Macmillan Support Line through their website or by calling 0808 808 00 00.
Who We Help
People living with cancer and their families.
Priorities Covered:
Health
Almost one in ten people in coalfield communities are in poor health. We help people living in former coalfields to improve their health so they can get the most out of their lives.
Our Partners
Welsh Government
The work of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in Wales is paid for with a grant from the Welsh Government.
Macmillan Cancer Support
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust working in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support launched CRT Together in March 2024, with a mission to make sure no one faces cancer alone. CRT Together offers non-medical related support on emotional and practical matters through dedicated Link Workers signposting people with cancer to local support services and helping establish new services where there is a proven need.
What Makes This Programme Great?
- Your own dedicated Link Worker – someone who will support you and your family to access the right support and advice.
- Your own personal plan – your Link Worker will carry out an assessment to allow you to make a decision on how to get practical and emotional support.
- Working in partnership to help you – CRT Together works closely with the NHS and in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to support you.
- Access to a network of local cancer services – CRT Together works closely with local cancer support services to provide you with the help you need.
- Support for new cancer support services – Where there is a gap for a new cancer support service then CRT Together will help those working to fill this gap.
Related Case Studies
Ann Broadway: Reflections on Kate's Cancer Recovery
Events Associated With This Programme
View Events In Wales
Supporting people impacted by cancer
Provider/Funder: CRT Together
- Now 10:00am - 16:00pm @ CRT Hwb Cana, Gwladys Street, Penywaun. CF44 9DE
Drop In Sessions
Drop in sessions for anyone passing to come talk to us about the programme and the support we offer.
- Friday Mornings 9:30am - 1pm @ Prince Charles Hospital
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:30am - 4pm @ Royal Glamorgan Hospital
- Wednesday Mornings 9:30am - 1pm @ Keir Hardy Health Park
- Tuesdays 9:30am - 3:30pm @ Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible to sign up to CRT Together?
If you live within the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area and are affected by a cancer diagnosis, whether you’re a patient, family member or care giver then you can sign up to get support from CRT Together.
You don’t need to be referred into us by someone else – all you need to do is click the link on this webpage and you can sign up for our support directly.
If you’re unsure then please get in touch to check – if we can’t help, we’ll try and direct you to someone who can.
What happens after I’ve signed up?
One of our Link Workers will get in touch with you and we’ll ask you to fill out a questionnaire so we can understand what your concerns and needs are.
We can send you the questionnaire for you to fill in at home when you’re ready or you can fill it in with your Link Worker in person to help guide you through it. We’ll then use this information to create your own personal plan based around your needs.
Your personal plan will give you the information and details of the services which will help you tackle the issues you care about - whether it’s getting to your next appointment, how you and your family are coping or money and housing worries.
What financial support is available to me?
Your Link Worker can help you access grants, benefits and other financial resources to cover costs such as utility bills, transport costs even your rent or mortgage.
Your Link Worker can help you through the application process to access this funding.
What emotional support is available to me and my family?
We can help you find the support which is right for you – whether that’s counselling services, support groups or one to one sessions. We can also put you in touch with other people who have had cancer and have had a similar experience so they can relate to your situation and offer support.
We also have resources and support specifically for family members to help them tackle the emotional issues they may be facing.
Can you help me get to my hospital appointment?
Yes – we have links with local volunteer driver schemes to help you get to your appointments, even you’re in a hard to reach area.
Most of the transport services we can access are free of charge. We’ll do as much as we can to help you get to your cancer related appointments without worrying about the cost.
Available Grants
Check out the available grants we have for CRT Together and find out how to apply.
Breaking Barriers Fund
The aim of the funding is for the development of services for people affected by cancer in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area (Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bridgend valleys) where there is a clear evidence of need and clear, measurable outcomes.
The fund is responsive to various needs and supports both capital and revenue costs. Eligible applicants to include community and voluntary sector groups/organisations.
The fund is not intended to support personal costs but enable and test solutions to improve cancer outcomes and access to cancer support services at a local level.
Funder: Macmillan Cancer Support
Fund Type: Capital and Revenue
Award Size: No minimum or maximum fund.
Who Can Apply?
Voluntary organisations with an appropriate governing document operating in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board area in Wales.
When To Apply?
Rolling programme.
How To Apply?
The application process for the Breaking Barriers Fund has been designed to be as straightforward as possible. Simply submit an outline of your project idea(s) and proposed area(s) of operation via email to wales@coalfields-regen.org.uk and a member of our team will be in touch with you to help move your project idea forward.
Areas Funded: Coalfield areas within the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board area of Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bridgend valleys in Wales.
Interested in this Programme?
We'd love to take part in our programme, so why not get in touch and sign up today?