Tag Archives: Cancer Support

Coffee & Connection: A Space Just for Cancer Caregivers

Caring for someone affected by cancer can be deeply meaningful—and incredibly demanding. Between appointments, medications, emotional support, and everyday life, caregivers often put their own needs last. Yet caregivers need care too.

That’s why Coffee & Connection exists: a welcoming, gentle space where caregivers can pause, breathe, and connect with others who truly understand.

You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone

As a cancer caregiver, you may find yourself holding many emotions at once, these being love, worry, exhaustion, hope, frustration, and resilience. While friends and family may care deeply, it can be hard to explain the realities of caregiving to someone who hasn’t lived it.

Coffee & Connection brings together people who get it.

This is a place to:

  • Share how cancer has impacted your life as a caregiver
  • Listen to others’ stories without judgment or pressure
  • Feel seen, heard, and supported
  • Simply enjoy a cup of coffee in good company

There’s no expectation to talk if you don’t want to. Sometimes, just being in the room with others who understand is enough.

A Warm, Caring Environment

Set in a relaxed café-style space, Coffee & Connection is designed to feel calm and human and not clinical. Where Conversations unfold naturally over tea and coffee, surrounded by warmth, greenery, and kindness.

Whether you are caring for a partner, parent, child, sibling, or friend at any stage of the cancer journey, you are welcome to attend.

When and Where

Every first and last Tuesday of the month
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Clapham Park, Cube
116 Kings Avenue
London, SW4 8EP

Want to Know More?

If you’d like more information or want to check in before attending, you can reach out to:

A Small Step That Can Make a Difference

Caregiving can feel isolating, but connection has the power to lighten the load. Coffee & Connection offers a gentle reminder that you are not alone, and that your experiences matter too.

If you’re a cancer caregiver looking for understanding, support, or simply a moment of calm, consider joining us. The coffee will be warm, and so will the welcome.

Breaking Barriers: Supporting People with Serious Mental Illness to Access Lung Cancer Screening

Post By Matthew McKenzie – National Cancer Carer forum

For people living with a serious mental illness (SMI) such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or psychosis, cancer remains one of the leading causes of premature death. In South East London, lung cancer is particularly devastating, with mortality rates highest among this group.

But there’s good news: projects are now underway to change this. Click on poster for more details

Why this matters

Early detection can make all the difference in lung cancer outcomes. Yet too often, people with SMI face additional challenges in accessing screening, diagnosis, and treatment pathways. These barriers can delay care, reduce treatment effectiveness, and ultimately cost lives.

That’s why the South East London Cancer Alliance has partnered with the Woolwich Service Users Project (WSUP) to hear directly from service users about their experiences. The aim is simple but powerful: understand what stands in the way and build solutions that ensure fair and timely cancer care for everyone.

How you can get involved

If you:

  • Are over 18,
  • Have a diagnosed serious mental illness,
  • Have a history of smoking,
  • Live in South East London (Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, or Southwark),

then your voice could make a real difference.

You may have been referred for lung cancer screening, diagnosed with lung cancer, or spoken to your GP about persistent symptoms like a cough or shortness of breath. Whatever your experience, sharing it can help shape future services.

What to expect

  • Focus groups (online or in-person in Woolwich) lasting about 90 minutes.
  • A safe, supportive space to share your experiences with up to five other participants.
  • Reimbursement for your time (£20–£30 depending on the session) plus refreshments at in-person events.
  • Confidentiality and anonymity are guaranteed.

When and where

Focus groups will run September – October 2025.

  • Online via Microsoft Teams.
  • In person at Woolwich Service Users Project, 107 Brookhill Road, SE18 6BJ.

Take part

👉 To sign up or learn more, visit wsupwoolwich.org/mind-and-body-study
📧 Email: getinvolved@wsupwoolwich.org
📞 Call: 020 8316 6558

Deadline to register: 10th October 2025 (but get in touch even if you miss it—support is flexible).

Together we can change the story

Every voice matters. By sharing your experiences, you can help break down barriers to early lung cancer diagnosis and ensure better care for people with serious mental illness.

Because when it comes to cancer care, no one should be left behind.

Would you like me to make this blog more community-facing (warm, story-driven, with lived-experience language) or more professional-facing (for healthcare partners and stakeholders)?

Your Voice Matters: Join the Ethnicity and Breast Cancer PPI Group

By Matthew McKenzie (facilitator of National cancer carer forum) – Caring Mind

As someone passionate about involvement and health inequalities, I’m always eager to spotlight opportunities where diverse voices can drive real change. One such opportunity is currently open through a vital new research initiative led by Oxford Population Health and Cancer Research UK.

Why This Study Matters

Breast cancer affects thousands of women every year, but not all communities are impacted equally. The risks, experiences, and outcomes can vary significantly based on ethnicity – yet we still don’t have enough evidence explaining why.

This is why Oxford researchers are launching a new study to explore how breast cancer affects women from different ethnic backgrounds, particularly African, Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani, and White British communities.

The aim is simple but essential: to improve breast cancer care for all women by understanding how ethnicity influences diagnosis, treatment, and risk.

How You Can Get Involved

The team is inviting women with personal experience of breast cancer or even those who have a strong interest in the topic to join their Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Group.

If selected, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Share your insights in online meetings that shape how the research is done.
  • Help communicate findings back to the community in a clear and accessible way.
  • Co-develop tools and resources that empower women from all backgrounds.

This is your chance to ensure the voices of underrepresented communities are heard in life-changing research.

Why Your Voice Is So Important

As someone who has spent years advocating for marginalised communities, I can’t stress this enough: Representation in research leads to better outcomes. If women from diverse ethnic backgrounds aren’t involved in shaping breast cancer studies, critical insights will be lost and the same inequalities will continue.

By joining the PPI group, you’re not just helping researchers you’re helping your community. Your lived experience, your culture, your understanding of the challenges women face all of that brings invaluable richness to the study.

Interested? Here’s How to Take Part

If you’re ready to help shape a more inclusive and impactful breast cancer study:

🔹 Visit: https://www.ceu.ox.ac.uk/research/ethnicity-and-breast-cancer
🔹 Email: ethnicityandbreastcancer@ndph.ox.ac.uk
🔹 Or scan the QR code in the flyer shown below to express interest.

Let’s help amplify unheard voices in cancer research. Representation starts with involvement. Let’s be part of the change.

Empowering Change: Uniting the unique Against Cancer on World Cancer Day

Another blog by Matthew McKenzie for World Cancer Day 2025. Join the movement on World Cancer Day to raise awareness, promote early detection, and support those affected by cancer. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against this disease that impacts millions worldwide.

To watch the 3 minute awarenes video. Click below.

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