Does anyone have any ideas about how to go about seting up a breast cancer support group? The cancer support center I use had a short 6 week support group but we were left to arrange our own follow up. There are regular monthly groups for other forms of cancer and I think it would be useful to have a regular group for breast cancer in the area that women (and men) can drop into when they want. I’ve drawn so much strength from meeting other people who have had cancer and also practical advice.
Littlemrs
I set ours up 12 years ago and we now have over 100+ members (although they don’t always come to each meeting).
We started with two of us and it gradually grew and I set up a website as well 18 months ago with a grant from Macmillan.
If you contact Macmillan CancerVoices they have a lot of information on the best way of setting up a group, whether you want to be a self help group, a registered charity, etc. etc.
We have been really lucky in that our breast care nurses have always been to our meetings (they approached us) and we don’t have our meetings in the hospital setting but at a local hotel. It took us a while to find a venue and they are very generous in that we’ve never had to pay for the hire.
We have open and speaker meetings but the main message really is although you may talk about some hard things within the group always remember to leave on a light note.
Good luck. If you want any more info don’t hesitate.
Pinkdove
x
Thank you pink dove. I’ll have a look at the macmillon site for more info. I’m hoping that my local cancer support center would provide a venue. I’m sure there is a need in my area as so many people are diagnosed with breast cancer and some of them may feel like me that they gain support from talking to others.
Take care
Hi Littlemrs
If you type ‘support group’ into the search box at the top of this page you will be able to read recent discussions on this subject, also feel free to call our helpline for further advice and support on 0808 800 6000 Mon-Fr 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm.
Best wishes
Lucy
id so love to set up a group here in weston super mare ,they do have one at the hospital but forgive me for saying they are mainly older ladies i know im no spring chicken but feel that we all need a little extra support after all the treatments etc are over as then is the time you can really feel isolated and alone .i approached the local library but was told id have to pay for a roon which is out of the question as im relying on benefits at the moment . if anyone has any ideas i would be grateful .i think we all need a drop in center that we can go to as problems dont always happen or worries cant always wait till the next monthly meeting ! sending love to all my fellow breast mates .
lynn xx
Hi Lynn
We did the rounds of all our hotels in our City and one offered us the room free of charge and has done so for the past 12 years which is amazing.
We didn’t want us to be in a hospital setting plus we meet of an evening and regularly have 15-20+ members attend each meeting. We also have the two breast care nurses attend which is invaluable.
We have a broad range of ages from mid 30’s to mid 70’s. The very first group I went to nearly 14 years ago was a general support group (mainly women but a few men) - I was 40 at the time and I felt then that I couldn’t relate to the older women because I had a young child and we couldn’t talk about childcare problems when going through chemo (especially when you haven’t got any family nearby) and loads of other things which are maybe more important to younger women.
We have had a few people die who have been part of our group (I also have secondaries along with a couple of other women who attend) and our discussions can be serious at times but never doom and gloom plus we always have a laugh.
I set up our website a while back and that gives people the opportunity to keep in touch as well.
I hope you manage to find something Lynn. Ours started in our houses until we got too big to fit everyone in!
x
Can anyone tell me if there is one in Glasgow , it sounds very interesting.
Mary x
Hi Mary
I’ve got the Macmillan directory - is it the centre of Glasgow you’re wanting information on?
The only listings they show are Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre and Tak Tent/Dunbarton Ladies Cancer Support Group (which is for breast cancer) which has a website taktent.org
Hope this is of help.