There is a lot of support for breast cancer, in the UK, through agencies and charities. Here you will find a selection of some of the more well-known. However, if you cannot find what you are looking for, please feel free to ask our friendly team for some help in getting you to the right place for support.
There is a lot of support for breast cancer, in the UK, through agencies and charities. Here you will find a selection of some of the more well-known. However, if you cannot find what you are looking for, please feel free to ask our friendly team for some help in getting you to the right place for support.
Breast Cancer Care
For free talks, courses or monthly meet-ups. You can hear from experts and have the chance to ask your questions and meet other people who are facing what you are too. You can find out where your local support group is via the link below and enter your postcode:
https://breastcancernow.org/information-support
Helpline number: 0800 800 6000 (text relay prefix: 18001) is open:
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Late opening Wednesday 9am-7pm,
Saturday, 9am-1pm
Calls are free from all UK landlines and mobiles. Out of hours, you can leave a voicemail and they will phone back when next open. All calls are answered by specialist nurses or experienced helpline staff.
All calls are welcome – whatever your situation and background – including:
- women and men with breast cancer or breast health concerns
- friends, relatives, partners and children of people with breast cancer
- healthcare professionals
And if you have a question but prefer to receive the information in writing, you can email the nurses, on the link below:
https://breastcancernow.org/submission/ask-our-nurses
Breast Cancer Now
Not a support agency as such but is the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, created by the merger of Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer. It is a fundraising agency and you can get involved if you wish. They are happy to hear from people who are interested in participating.
OTHER CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS
Find Your Local Support for Breast Cancer Information and Services.
Use the link below and enter your postcode:
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services
MacMillan
Can answer questions about cancer and to find local groups providing support for breast cancer:
Shine
Shine exists exclusively to support adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s who have experienced a cancer diagnosis:
FOR BEREAVEMENT AFTER CANCER:
Compassionate Friends
Helpline number 08451 232 304
Website: http://www.tcf.org.uk/
National organisation offering friendship and support to grieving parents and families who have lost a child of any age through illness, accident, murder or suicide. Support in the form of befriending rather than counselling is offered by bereaved parents and/or siblings. They offer a postal library, newsletter, personal contacts, support groups and a range of specific leaflets.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Telephone number 0208 939 9530.
Website: http://www.cruse.org.uk/
National bereavement organisation offers comprehensive service of counselling by trained and selected people, advice on practical matters and opportunities for social contact. Monthly magazine and other literature. Many branches offer social contact and practical advice. Also training for those who work with the bereaved.
British Association for Counselling
Telephone number 0870 443 5252.
Website:/ www.bacp.co.uk
Dedicated to the promotion of counselling and maintenance of standards and training and practice, providing information on training and lists of local counsellors on receipt of a S.A.E.
The Samaritans
HELPLINE:
They are there round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This number is FREE to call. You don’t have to be suicidal to call them
OR EMAIL: jo@samaritans.org
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
FOR FINANCIAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT:
The Money Advice Service
For advice on benefits entitlement and financial matters, we recommend you seek further information via your local authority website for local support services or at The Money Advice Service:
Macmillan benefits advisers for people affected by cancer
A Macmillan benefits adviser can help you work out what financial help you can get. They offer specialist advice to help ease money worries, including information on benefits, tax credits, grants and loans. They can provide advice by telephone, face-to-face and home visits. This service is for anyone affected by cancer.
Find a Macmillan benefits adviser near you
Age UK benefits advice for older people
Age UK is for those over State Pension age and living in the area covered by the local branch. Some local branches of Age UK offer a free, confidential benefits advice service. Practical assistance to make sure you’re getting all the benefits to which you are entitled. They can provide advice by telephone, face-to-face and home visits and help with completing forms.
Telephone the Age UK Helpline: 0800 169 6565 (8am-7pm, 365 days a year)
Website: Age UK website
Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline
Gingerbread provides advice and practical support for single parents, including advice on benefits and tax credits.
You can call free on 0808 802 0925 (Monday: 10am to 6pm, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10am to 4pm, Wednesday: 10am-1pm and 5pm-7pm)
Debt advice
If you’re worried about keeping up with debt repayments there is lots of free, confidential help and advice available. Find out more by following the link below:
Where to go to get free debt advice
Housing advice
If you have rent or mortgage arrears or you’re worried about losing your home, Shelter offers confidential advice on a range of housing issues.
- Visit the Shelter England website
- Visit the Shelter Scotland website
- Visit the Shelter Cymru website
- Visit the Shelter Northern Ireland website
