Chai Cancer Care’s satellite service in Manchester is reporting an overwhelming uptake of its therapy and counselling services. The facility in Heathlands Village has seen client numbers swell in just six months to match demand for the charity’s Redbridge satellite, which opened over two years ago.

Visiting the Manchester service this week, Chai chief executive Elaine Kerr said calls were being received from Liverpool and Leeds.

“We had 90 new clients within the first 10 weeks. One of the reasons for the growth is that 30 per cent of people are seen in their homes,” Ms Kerr reported.

Chai has expanded its Manchester staff to include a full-time service manager.

It also intends to extend its therapies to include acupuncture, to reduce the side-effects of chemotherapy. It is to begin training advocacy staff to help clients gain their NHS care entitlements.