Macmillan Support Line

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, we’ll listen.

How to talk to an adviser

You can call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00.

Opening times

  • Emotional and practical information
  • Clinical information
  • Financial guidance
  • Welfare rights
  • Energy advice
  • Work support team

Other ways to get in touch

Please note that conversations with our Support Line advisers are confidential, but may be recorded for quality and training purposes.

Outside the UK

If you're calling from outside of the UK you can contact us on +44 207 091 2230. We are unable to advise on healthcare systems overseas.

Deaf or hard of hearing

Are you deaf or hard of hearing? To make a text relay call, dial 18001 followed by 0808 808 00 00, or download the Relay UK app (Google Play/App Store).

Interpreter service

If you prefer to speak to us in another language, interpreters are available. Just state, in English, the language you want to use when you call.

Keeping people safe

It is important that the people who speak to us, and our colleagues on the Macmillan Support Line, feel safe. We have information about unacceptable behaviour when using the Macmillan Support Line.

When should I contact the Macmillan Support Line?

Talking about cancer can be tough. Our cancer information and support specialists offer a listening ear. We can talk about whatever matters to you. We can also offer guidance and help you find the right information and support in your area.

If you need to talk, we’ll listen.

 

In this video: Maria, a Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Officer, discusses the type of support the Macmillan Support Line can offer.

"Sometimes you can relate to someone better when you talk to a stranger over the phone than you can to your loved ones. I called the Macmillan helpline. You could pick up a phone from the comfort of your home and speak to someone." Ravinder, diagnosed with breast cancer 2013.

Specialist support

As well as emotional support we provide specialist services to help you. Please note the opening times may vary by service.

  • Welfare rights advice - our welfare rights advisers can tell you about benefits and other financial support.
  • Energy advice - we have energy advisers who can help you reduce the costs of your heating and electricity.
  • Financial guidance - our financial guides are experts in helping to reduce the financial impact of cancer.
  • Cancer information nurse specialist - our experienced cancer nurses can talk you through information about your diagnosis and treatment.
  • Work support service - our dedicated work support specialists help you to understand your rights at work.
  • Macmillan Grants - we can also give you information about Macmillan Grants.

Our trained cancer information advisers provide a listening ear and point you in the right direction, so you can seek further support. 

Accessible support

If you are hard of hearing or deaf, you can ask for a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter call to be set up. You can do this by emailing us or chatting with us online to arrange a BSL interpreter call to be set up. Or you can have a hearing family member or friend call the support line on your behalf.

Please note, it can take up to 3 working days to arrange a call. This depends on the availability of BSL interpreters and finding a time that suits you. You will need to have access to a laptop or PC, a good internet connection and a webcam. Call 0808 808 00 00 (8am – 8pm, 7 days a week) to find out more about this service.

For non-BSL users, you can chat online with nurses, welfare rights advisers, financial guides and cancer information specialists everyday, from 8am-8pm.

You can make text relay calls by dialling 18001 followed by 0808 808 0000. The Relay UK app is also available to download on Google Play or App Store.

About call charges

Calls to Macmillan's Support Line on 0800 808 0000 are free on all UK landlines and UK mobile phones.

Calls may not be free from business accounts. You should check with your provider whether there will be a charge for calling before you make the call.

Please note that calls to these numbers are not free when made from phones based outside the UK. If you're calling from outside of the UK or your mobile is registered outside of the UK, you can contact us on +44 207 091 2230.

We are unable to advise on healthcare and welfare systems overseas.

Trusted Information Creator - Patient Information Forum
Trusted Information Creator - Patient Information Forum

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