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Self help and support groups are a great way of bringing people together and offering mutual support. If you're thinking of starting your own support group, Macmillan can help with advice, training and start-up grants.
Receiving a grant from Macmillan can help to relieve some of the financial pressure of setting up a self-help and support group.
You can apply for up a start-up grant of up to £500 to help set up your group. You can also apply for a training and conference grant of up to £3000 to help you develop knowledge, skills and networking opportunities needed to set up, or identify the need for, a new group.
I could never adequately describe the benefits a support groups gives to patients, carers and professionals alike. A friendly, informal, supportive atmosphere really helps to boost confidence, provide insight and establish long-lasting friendships for all involved. Brooke Quinteros, Macmillan speech and language therapist, who started a support group for people with head and neck cancer 11 years ago
I could never adequately describe the benefits a support groups gives to patients, carers and professionals alike. A friendly, informal, supportive atmosphere really helps to boost confidence, provide insight and establish long-lasting friendships for all involved.
Brooke Quinteros, Macmillan speech and language therapist, who started a support group for people with head and neck cancer 11 years ago
We aim to bring people together to share experiences and to help them obtain practical and emotional support.
All workshops are free to attend and members of self help and support groups can also apply for a Training and development costs grant to cover any associated costs.
For a full list of courses and course dates, visit our teaching resource website Learn Zone.|
To request a Training and Development grant application pack, please email resources@macmillan.org.uk |or call 020 7840 4936.
Accredited by the National Open College Network, this course offers training to anyone who supports people affected by cancer. Find out more about the Cancer Support Course| .
Self Help Nottingham's website includes links to other sources of information about self help groups, including their Starting off pack, with information and ideas for new groups, Find out more on their website| .
There are 4 good practice guidelines for cancer self help and support groups. The first in the series, ‘Getting started’, is for anyone who is thinking about setting up, or who has recently set up, a support group. It suggests key questions to consider, looks at alternative ways of delivering support, and gives tips to help you get started and move forward.
All 4 good practice guidelines are available here, or you can order them free from Be.Macmillan| .
Getting started [PDF, 636kb]| Running it well [PDF, 569kb]| Supporting each other [PDF, 600kb]| Doing it right [PDF, 666kb]|
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
Macmillan's Community Networks Development Co-ordinators (CNDCs) can provide advice, support, and tell you how to apply for start-up funding.
If you would like to include your group in our cancer support group directory:
download application form [Word, 167kb]
return the form via email to resources@macmillan.org.uk
or post to the Inclusion Team Administrator, Macmillan Cancer Support, 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7UQ.
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You can order free cancer information, resources and materials to promote your service, from Be.Macmillan.
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