Cancer Support

Cancer Support

Being diagnosed with a cancer can be a frightening and anxious time.

There are so many things to be considered such as what impact on your day-to-day life, family’s life, what treatments are available and what side effects will they cause. All this will be new and potentially overwhelming. Getting support from organisations and people that understand what you are going through can help with your experience.

Local support groups and organisations in North West Leicestershire

There are a number of local cancer support groups in North West Leicestershire. You can find information on them below:

Cancer Active Recovery Support (C.A.R.S)

Cancer Active Recovery Support are based in Measham and provide alternative ways to connect with others facing similar challenges, offering a supportive and informative network. C.A.R.S promote social, physical and mental wellbeing through condition-specific programs, workshops, support services and fun activities.

For more information about the orgnisation and the support they provide, take a look at the Cancer Active Recovery Support website.

C.A.R.S In the Pink Programme

In the Pink is a free Pilates-based activity programme which works with breast cancer survivors to improve their physical health and mental wellbeing. 

C.A.R.S. procures In the Pink enabling all those diagnosed with Breast Cancer to access the programme free of charge to help survivors live again. Because every woman has the right to feel In the Pink after treatment for breast cancer.

For more information about this programme, take a look at the C.A.R.S In the Pink Programme page.

C.A.R.S Cancer Support Hubs

Provided by C.A.R.S. and based in Moira, the cancer hub acts as a public space set within the local community, providing access to information and support for people affected by any type of cancer from diagnosis, through to treatement and beyond. 

To contact C.A.R.S for more infomation, please see their Cancer Active Recovery Contact Page.

Bright Hope

Bright Hope offers a range of therapeutic and social care services in North West Leicestershire.

The charity supports individuals who have a life limiting condition or one that leads to a significant reduction in quality of life, as well as offering support to their partner, carer or family. 

Bright Hope offer a range of services and support including their support cafes, counselling services and wellness programme. For more information about the orgnisation and the support they provide, take a look at the Bright Hope website.

Bright Hope Support Cafes

Bright Hope runs three friendly, weekly drop-in support groups (known as Support Cafés) for anyone wishing to receive support, take a break and meet new people. It is an ideal place for you to share your thoughts and feelings with others who may be going through a similar situation. The Support Cafés are open to guests, their family members and carers, the Cafés offer the opportunity to receive support, take a break and meet new people. There's no need to book, just drop in and there’s no charge for attending.

These operate in Ibstock, Coalville and Ashby. Information on the Support Cafes can be found on the Bright Hope Support Cafe page.

5K Your Way Move Against Cancer Support Group 

A community-based initiative to encourage those living with and beyond cancer, to walk, jog, run, cheer or volunteer at a local 5k Your Way parkrun event on the last Saturday of every month, followed by a cuppa and a chat.

For more information about this programme, take a look at the Macmillan Cancer Support page.

Cancer Peer Group Coalville CAN

Embrace hope, share strength together, living with cancer can be tough, but you don't have to face it alone. Connect with others who understand and care. Coalville CAN provide a safe and welcoming space, where you CAN find support, share your journey, and discover strength. 

For more information about their organisation and group, take a look at the Joy page for Coalville CAN webpage.

North West Leicestershire Physical Activity Service

Our service provides support to NWL residents wanting to move more. Being physically active can be difficult and there are many, wide ranging reasons why. That’s why our personalised approach to understanding your thoughts, beliefs, barriers and motivations allow us to offer the most tailored support and advice.

Ultimately, it’s about finding what works for you and what you enjoy. Moving more can improve and maintain your physical and mental health and there is lots to choose from locally.

Through completing the self-referral form, our team will help triage you to the best physical activity service that supports your needs and capabilities. 

To complete the form and find more information about our programmes, please see our NWL Physical Activity Service page.

Joy

Joy is a free website for everyone in the city, county and Rutland to use, simply visit the Joy website, add your postcode and start searching for local services.

Joy will offer a diverse range of categories tailored to meet individuals’ needs. From fitness and art classes to carer support, support groups, counselling, and local services, this exciting new website will provide a comprehensive array of services. These services are designed to bolster the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, setting Joy apart as a unique and engaging non-clinical health and wellbeing support service. 

To read more about Joy, please see our Joy page.

Cancer Care Map

Cancer Care Map is an online resource to help people living with cancer find care and support services in their local area, anywhere in the UK. Find cancer support services near you by simply putting your postcode into the Cancer Care Map website.

 

General cancer support in Leicestershire 

There are some cancer support groups that take place all around Leicestershire. You can find information on them below:

Macmillan Cancer Support

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you are worried about money, work or treatment, we can offer guidance and help you find the right information and support in your area. Call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.

The Leicester Macmillan drop in advice centre is based in the Osborne Building at Leicester Royal Infirmary and is open Monday to Friday, from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. They provide a drop-in service so there is no need for you to make an appointment. The information staff can help you to find the information you need and will put you in touch with any appropriate services.    

The Macmillan CAB Welfare Benefits Service provides information, advice and advocacy to people affected by cancer living in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland or receiving treatment within the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL). The service is free and confidential.  For more information see the Macmillan Cancer Support Benefits Service webpage.

Sue Young Cancer Support

The Sue Young Cancer Support provides practical and emotional support to Leicestershire and Rutland cancer patients, their carers and families from the time a diagnosis is made. 

For more information about their organisation and group, take a look at the Sue Young Cancer Support webpage.

Rainbows Hospice

Rainbows support every baby, child and young person to fulfil their potential, and help families make the most of every precious moment, while capturing memories and keepsakes to treasure.

They are there for the whole family, offering comfort and compassion during tough times, providing the highest level of professional care until the end, and support after.

To find out more about what Rainbows offer, take a look at the webpage.

Loros

LOROS Hospice is a local charity and every year they care for over 2,500 people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. They deliver free, high-quality, compassionate care and support to terminally ill patients, their family and carers. 

To find out more about what Loros offer, take a look at the Loros webpage.

Prostaid

PROSTaid are a local, registered, independent prostate & prostate cancer charity, based in Wigston, Leicestershire. Prostaid is open to anyone in Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire. 

They provide three support groups in Leicestershire in Leicester, Birstall and Melton, to give support to local men newly diagnosed and treated and to patients with advanced prostate cancer. 

To find out more about what Prostaid offer, take a look at the Prostaid webpage.

Birstall Bags

Birstall BAGs seeks to bring people together to raise funds to support cancer services used by the local community. The charity also takes every opportunity to raise the profile of cancer particularly with regard to the signs and symptoms recognising that early diagnosis of cancer really can save lives. Birstall BAGs works with other local charities to provide services that support members of the local community who are living with a diagnosis of cancer. 

For more information about their organisation and group, take a look at the Birstall Bags webpage.

For other cancer support groups across the county, please see the NHS University Hospitals Leicester webpage on cancer support.

Active Together

Visit Active Together's page on Physical Activity and Cancer and their We Are Undefeatable page to find out about being active whilst having cancer and finding what works for you. 

LLR Cancer Information App

The LLR Cancer Information app is free to download and available for mobile and tablet devices on the Apple and Android app stores. The app includes information about treatments and side effects together with health and wellbeing support. It also offers a range of information on how to access local community support as well as more practical advice on topics like money and finance.

Apple app store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/llrcancerinformation/id1561966094

Android app store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.nhs.leics.his.mac&hl=en_GB&gl=US

National Support for those affected by cancer

General Cancer organisations:

There are a number of different organisations, support groups and books to help you cope with cancer and its treatment. Please take a look at the Cancer Research UK information hub where you will able to find a list of the cancer organisations.