“Active Together is about science, collaboration and compassion to give people the best chance of recovering from what can be the toughest period of their life” - Nick’s experience

After 20 years in the NHS supporting people with their nutrition, Nick Bergin from Skipton knows just how important a good diet is to stay healthy.

But when his sister sadly passed away from cancer in 2022, Nick decided to use his healthcare expertise to embark on a new venture. He is one of the latest experts to join the team at Active Together, the research-backed cancer exercise treatment service funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and designed by Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Centre to help people prepare for and recover from cancer treatment.

Nick is now helping to bring Active Together to people in Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven. Launched in September, the pioneering cancer exercise service is delivered by a team of cancer specialists, bringing the life-changing benefits of exercise, alongside nutrition and wellbeing support, to people affected by cancer. 

Image Caption: Nick Bergin with his son, Samuel

Originally from Bristol, Nick moved to Skipton in North Yorkshire in 2012. He became a Specialist Nutrition Support Dietitian at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, which included helping people with their nutrition during cancer treatment.

He said: “When people go through cancer treatment, they can experience side effects like nausea and taste changes that make mealtimes hard. Eating nutritionally rich foods, including protein, fibre, fruit and vegetables, is already such a valuable way to boost recovery and prevent illness. So, it’s even more important for people with cancer to eat well before, during and after their treatment.”

For people preparing for, and recovering from cancer treatment, Nick believes it is vital good nutrition is paired with opportunities to keep fit and active.

Nick said: "I’m a massive believer in using a mix of approaches to support people undergoing cancer treatment. From my experience in the NHS, I’ve seen just how life-changing it can be when people have access to regular exercise, dietary advice and psychological support.”

Active Together is underpinned by well-established evidence that shows exercise can increase survival, improve recovery from treatment and reduce the risk of cancer coming back. 

Since launching in 2022, more than 2,000 people from across Yorkshire have benefitted from the service and data from Active Together in Sheffield showed the service to be  associated with a 10% higher one-year survival rate for those who took part in the service in Sheffield, compared to those who did not take part. 

Through the service, Yorkshire Cancer Research is bringing the life-saving benefits of personalised exercise to people in Yorkshire and contributing vital evidence to the world’s cancer research community. The charity’s vision is that everyone with a cancer diagnosis can access these benefits, no matter who they are or where they live. 

For Nick, the opportunity to lead the Active Together team in Airedale wasn’t just an exciting move, but a personal one. In May 2022, his sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and sadly passed away in November.

Nick said: “It was a tough time for my family. My sister’s daughters had to move to Yorkshire to live with their grandparents, so I watched how cancer changed things for everybody in our family. That’s why I was drawn to this job, so I can not only help other people with cancer like my sister but the families who are navigating these challenging times.”

Delivered by Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Active Together Airedale will be available at local leisure centres and community venues, supporting the NHS’s ambition to move care out of hospitals and into communities.

“There are huge advantages to a community service, especially in a largely rural place like Airedale,” Nick explained. “People can receive better treatment closer to where they live, allowing them to independently go out without a carer or relying on loved ones for transport.”

Nick continued: “Yorkshire has areas with high levels of deprivation and poor transport networks, meaning people often can’t easily attend treatment appointments. I fully support the mission of Yorkshire Cancer Research to make cancer exercise treatment widely available to people with cancer through the NHS, so everyone with cancer in Yorkshire can benefit.”

With a young family at home, Nick is passionate about teaching good nutrition early to help prevent diseases, including certain types of cancer, from developing later in life. He also believes it is crucial to combine awareness around healthy eating with chances to stay active. 

Following in his father’s footsteps, Nick’s son, Samuel, is volunteering at the Yorkshire Cancer Research shop in Skipton, helping the charity with its mission to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer in the region. 

Samuel said: “Sadly, too many people and their families are affected by cancer, including mine. It was important to me to volunteer at Yorkshire Cancer Research – to help others who may have gone through something similar to my family.”

“He could have chosen any charity, so I’m really pleased Samuel decided to support Yorkshire Cancer Research,” Nick added. “Watching him contribute to the local community and act as a role model to other young people makes me so proud to be his dad.”

Reflecting on Yorkshire Cancer Research turning 100 this year, Nick said: "It’s great that Yorkshire Cancer Research has funded a century of ground-breaking research. The expansion of Active Together into Airedale represents this pioneering progress.