Our charity officially formed on 18th of October 1999, with the intention of increasing awareness of the hazards of asbestos related respiratory conditions amongst medical staff and the public in Sheffield and Rotherham.
We assisted individuals applying for benefits and compensation available to them through the Government. During our formative years, we also developed relationships with expert asbestos solicitors who would contribute to the development of the charity and ultimately provide advice to individuals on a no-win-no-fee basis.
We continued to raise awareness at annual events such as Workers Memorial Day in Sheffield, where we remember those who have lost their lives at work, or from work-related injury and diseases.
In 2005, we became a founding member of the Asbestos Victims Support Group Forum which coordinated support groups efforts across the UK, and arranged collaboration to fight for justice.
In 2019, we expanded beyond our original base in Sheffield and Rotherham to cover the whole of Yorkshire, Humberside and North Nottinghamshire.
In 2021, we established our first monthly peer support group in Sheffield. By 2022, new groups were established in Doncaster, York, Hull, Bradford, and Wakefield. In addition to peer support, we would also provide 1:1 emotional support, available to service users and their families from our Activity and Support Manager. By spring 2023, the demand for emotional support had become such, that a successful application to the National Lottery allowed us to employ a Bereavement Support Worker.
Between 2021 and 2024, over 2,000 people attended our support groups which now occur monthly in Sheffield, Doncaster. York, Hull and Bradford. In the first year of our bereavement support service, 117 people received bereavement support.
Our service receives around 350 referrals per year. However, there are 500 individuals and families referred to our service each year. The extra referrals are for individuals with non-malignant conditions such as Asbestosis and Pleural Thickening. The next stage of our Charity’s development is to reach ALL these individuals by forming relationships with respiratory consultants across the region.