A £500,000 support scheme has been launched to help people across the Highlands affected by cancer.
The lifeline service, funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, will provide advice along with emotional and practical help.
Eight support workers have now been established across the north, to connect with individuals and provide comfort to people struggling with anxiety as a result of the disease.
Barry Young from Balloch has been one of many users of the scheme, after being diagnosed with cancer in January.
Due to the pandemic, the 59-year-old has had hospital procedures cancelled on two occasions.
He explained how Keighly Perry, a cancer support worker for the Inverness, Nairn, Badnoch and Strathspey area, has helped him cope.
Mr Young said: “Before I had Keighly helping me, I was phoning the hospital myself and just not getting anywhere.
“I’d be told they’d call me back and I wouldn’t hear back. Keighly took over with chasing up the hospital and made things happen.
“Keighly is a lovely lassie, she’s done so much for me. I felt like I was completely on my own before, banging my head on wall and getting nowhere with the hospital.
“I have been getting quite depressed that nothing is going to happen.”
He added: “The way I see it, there’s always someone worse off than you, so I accept the situation for what it is.
“But having someone like Keighly on side does help, I can phone for a chat whenever and she’s done so much to help. It goes a long way.”
The scheme is being delivered in partnership with NHS Highland.
Miss Perry said: “Spending time listening, to understand how I can support a person, is what I love about this job.
“One man said he had been worrying for eight weeks, and within one hour of talking things through, a weight had lifted off his shoulders. What a privilege to be able to help.”
Each year around 2,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in the Highlands.
Angeline Macleod, manager of the scheme, said: “This new service is here to make sure everyone in the Highlands with cancer has someone to call on for help, no matter what they need.
“This is especially important right now as many people with cancer will be isolated from friends and family.”
