Good support is about more than medicine. It’s about being understood as a person, and having help with the things that matter most to you and those around you. These will be different for everyone.
Right by You is a community-based cancer support service for people living in Southampton. We provide personalised practical, emotional and clinical support in the places you feel most comfortable, often your home, but also community settings or other locations that work for you.
Our team includes specialist cancer nurses and experienced professionals who can help you manage your diagnosis and the impact cancer has on your life – physically, emotionally, socially and practically. We focus on what matters most to you and the areas where you feel you need support. Together, we create a personalised plan based on your needs, preferences and circumstances.
We work closely with your hospital cancer team, GP practice and community services to make sure your care feels joined up and coordinated. You and those around you are at the centre of this support, with one team working alongside you throughout your cancer journey.
Please note that Right by You is currently available for people in Southampton (SO14-SO19 only).
We accept self-referrals and referrals from healthcare professionals.
What We Can Help With
- Managing symptoms and side effects of treatment
- Emotional and psychological support
- Understanding your diagnosis and treatment
- Practical issues such as housing, finances or work
- Support for families and carers
- Navigating services and coordinating care
- Planning ahead and preventing problems before they escalate
- Support in your preferred location
We also support people who may find it harder to access traditional services, including those experiencing homelessness, frailty, multimorbidity, mental health difficulties or complex social circumstances.
Who We Are
Our team includes:
- Catherine Scothmer-Clay (Patient Pathway Navigator)
- Jo Dowle (Lead Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist)
- Marian Parfitt and Carol Gillett (Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists)
- Beth Hawkins (Homeless Care Coordinator)
We work together to provide personalised, coordinated support that fits around your life.
How to Get in Touch
Right by You is currently available for people in Southampton (SO14-SO19 only).
Service Working Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Email: RBYteam@uhs.nhs.uk
Telephone: 07585 625461 (messages can be left out of hours)
We can accept self-referrals, or a healthcare professional can refer you. You can contact us by phone or email, and if your healthcare professional hasn’t heard of Right by You before, you can simply share the same contact details with them so they can refer you too.
What to Expect
1. First contact from our Patient Pathway Navigator
After you are referred, or refer yourself, our Patient Pathway Navigator will call you to introduce the service, answer questions and understand more about the support you feel you might need.
2. A visit in a place that feels right for you
When you are ready, we will arrange a first visit in the place you prefer. This is usually your home, but it can be a community setting or another location where you feel comfortable (e.g., a café).
3. Time to talk about what matters to you
We will spend time getting to know you, your circumstances and the things that are important to you. There is no fixed agenda, you decide what we talk about.
4. A personalised plan of support
Together, we will create a plan based on your needs and preferences. This may include symptom support, emotional support, practical help, or coordination with other services.
5. Ongoing support, not a one off appointment
We will stay involved for as long as you need us, checking in regularly and adapting your support as things change.
6. Joined up care across your whole cancer journey
We work closely with your hospital team, GP and community services so you don’t have to repeat your story or navigate the system alone.
Please note: The Portland (Dorset) Right by You service is currently paused. We continue to provide monthly outreach support at HMP The Verne.