The Tenovus Cancer Information Centre (TCIC) is a sister charity to the internationally renowned cancer research charity Tenovus and offers a national Freephone cancer helpline 365 days a year. The helpline is manned by experienced cancer nurses who will give information and support to patients with cancer, carers, the general public and health personnel. The charity also employs its own team of social workers, and offers a counselling service. Since 1992, Tenovus Support Nurses (TSNs) have been offering information and support services from bases in a number of cancer clinics in South East Wales (and other locations in the UK), supported by charitable funds. The contact with the patient and family in the out-patient clinic may simply involve an introduction by the nurse about the role of the TCIC, and the giving of a card with the helpline number on it. More commonly, immediate time and privacy is provided to enable the patient and their family to discuss their questions, problems and fears. The introduction of a TSN into a particular clinic is by mutual agreement with hospital management, clinical staff and Tenovus themselves. For the TSN working in oncology clinics, this new role represents a departure from their other work of manning the helpline at the TCIC. The Tenovus nurse comes from an outside agency into the phrenetic world of out-patient care. The new role is not clearly defined as each client group has different needs, and new relationships have to be formed with a whole host of established staff. This practice note will chart the development of the role of one of the TSNs during the first year of appointment in a head and neck cancer clinic.