Deborah Robinson is a dedicated, caring social worker who has helped others for a living for most of her professional life. But a few years ago Deborah decided to take on a very special group of clients.

The Stockton-based social worker is one of a growing band of specialist social workers employed by the world-famous cancer charity, Macmillan.

Everybody knows about the network of Macmillan nurses who tend to cancer patients in every corner of the UK.

But few people are aware that Macmillan has changed direction in recent years, recognising that people with cancer - and their families - need wider support than just health care.

Along with social workers, Macmillan now employ a growing family of care staff, from physiotherapists and speech therapists to occupational therapists and benefits advisors.

In the most recent development, Macmillan has linked up with the Citizens' Advice Bureaux across the North-East and appointed the first in a new wave of Macmillan/CAB advisors who can help cancer patients and their families to make sense of the benefits maze.

To recognise the subtle change in emphasis, Macmillan has even changed its name. From April this year the old style Macmillan Cancer Relief - with its medical implications - has been dropped in favour of the more general Macmillan Cancer Support. Even the type face used by the charity has changed, reflecting a softer, more user-friendly approach.

Whatever the charity calls itself, Lee and Lynn Burbidge from Billingham can't thank Macmillan enough for the support they have had in the last year.

Lee, 36, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer 12 years ago and has endured more than a decade of treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. His illness, a form of cancer known as desmoid tumour, had a devastating effect on his life and the life of his wife, Lynn.

Increasingly disabled by his illness, Lee could no longer work. His wife, who was also having to look after her sick, elderly mother, became a full-time carer facing a mountain of bills and complicated forms. Their once-thriving light haulage business had to be wound up leaving the couple penniless and desperate.

Then, with rent overdue and pressure building, the Macmillan 'cavalry' came over the hill. Staff at the James Cook University Hospital referred Lee to the care of the Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care team in 2005. Apart from specialist nurses, this also brought the Burbidges into contact with the wider Macmillan team.

"I had no idea that Macmillan had social workers who could help people like us," says Lynn, enjoying the sunshine in the couple's small back garden. "Being self-employed when the main breadwinner is sick is a real problem. We were facing a situation where we had no income for six weeks.

"I didn't know who to turn to. I literally could not afford to buy food. Dealing with someone who is recovering from chemotherapy is stressful enough, dealing with all the other problems just added to the strain."

While other Macmillan staff sorted out Lee's palliative care, Deborah introduced herself and set about rescuing the situation. "Deborah came to see us and told us she would try to take some of the pressures off us so I can deal with Lee and what is going on with him," says Lynn.

"She might as well have moved in we saw so much of her. It was not just the practical help with things like form filling but it is the emotional support as well."

Lynn had no idea that the couple qualified for disability and mobility allowances and Deborah was able to work with the family to turn the situation around.

A grant from Macmillan's fighting fund to tide the couple over for a while was a vital, practical step.

Lee remembers what a difference Deborah made. "It took the pressure off Lynn and because of that it meant she had more time to deal with my problems. It stopped me feeling so guilty about things," he says.

Macmillan even stepped in and organised a holiday for the couple. "They told us there was a local charity that could help us have a break. We went to Corfu and it was wonderful. It was great to just get away for a little while," says Lynn.

Apart from Deborah's expertise, the couple were also visited by other members of the specialist Macmillan team.

"They helped to get Lee's pain-relief organised. An occupational therapist came out and advised us that we needed to change our bathroom into a wetroom, because Lee's balance is affected and he needs to be supported when he is having a shower," says Lynn.

Even when the couple's fridge-freezer abruptly gave up the ghost while Lynn tried to look after her stricken husband, Macmillan stepped in and provided a replacement.

And to help the couple cope with stress, a Macmillan aromatherapist worked her magic.

Lynn has been so inspired by the impact Macmillan has had on their lives that she has joined a patient and carer consultation group Macmillan has set up in Stockton.

Deborah is delighted that she has been able to help the Burbidges get the practical help they needed, as well provide someone to lean on.

"At any one time we are in touch with about 20 families in our area. We try to provide continuous assessment of what people need. For some that means a weekly visit, for others it is a once-a-month contact," says Deborah.

While a lot of people in need get the information they need from helplines, websites, social services or healthcare staff, Macmillan exists to provide additional help for those who find themselves in an extreme situation.

The appreciation of Lee and Lynn Burbidge is music to the ears of Stephen Williams, service development manager for Macmillan in the North-East.

"We are always looking to identify the gaps in care out there. We have put in a number of social workers to help people sort out financial problems and now we are looking at benefit officers jointly funded with CABs," says Stephen.

"We are employing Macmillan/CAB advisors in Newcastle and Middlesbrough and are planning ones in South Durham and Northallerton.

"The advisors sit down with people with cancer and help them work through issues such as financial debt management. After all, most people have worked all their lives and have no idea what to do if they are told they can no longer work."

The change in emphasis by Macmillan is in response to what patients and their families have been telling the charity.

"Years ago people used to complain about poor access to hospitals and palliative care but now the NHS is so much better," says Stephen.

"Because the life expectancy of people with cancer is increasing more and more people are living with cancer. While the first thing people who are diagnosed with cancer say is, 'Am I going to die' the second is usually, 'How do I pay the mortgage, how do I pay for my kids to go to university?'," Stephen adds.

The service development manager is proud that the North-East region has more social workers and benefit advisors in place than any other area and is grateful for the "fantastic" support Macmillan enjoys in the area.

"We get tremendous support from the North-East and it is good to be able to tell you that the charity spends more in the region than we raise," says Stephen.

Lynn has the last word on the new-style Macmillan approach.

"The support we have had, particularly from Deborah, is wonderful. It has made life better for both of us. Without Macmillan we would have sunk without trace."