Pineapple Club brings community, culture and conversation to Coffee Morning

What started as informal conversations between Macmillan and the Pineapple Club members about community, health and lived experience of cancer gradually grew into something much bigger. Cancer often isn’t easy to talk about, and Macmillan worked with the club to build trust in a way that felt natural.

Dominoes, a much-loved pastime within Caribbean communities, became the starting point. A friendly dominoes competition between the Pineapple Club and Macmillan helped break down barriers and a short film capturing the day encouraged men to speak more openly about prostate cancer and the impact it was having within friendship groups and the wider community.

Since then, the Pineapple Club has gone on to host its own Macmillan Coffee Mornings. It’s a space where people can come together, share experiences and support one another.

For many African and Caribbean men, conversations about cancer, health and bodily changes can still feel difficult or taboo. Black men in the UK are at greater risk of prostate cancer, with 1 in 4 likely to be diagnosed during their lifetime, according to Prostate Cancer UK. Within the Pineapple Club film, members spoke openly about men often avoiding conversations about health or delaying going to the doctor, and how creating trusted community spaces helped those conversations happen more naturally.

With Caribbean food, live DJ music, and a seated exercise session, the event was a true community celebration. Volunteers, members and trustees all played a part in bringing the day together, with food, laughter and conversation at the heart of it.

Many of those attending had been affected by cancer in some way. The event provided a space where people felt comfortable talking, listening and supporting one another.

“Working with Macmillan has strengthened our confidence in talking about cancer as a community,” says Andrea Scale, Chair of the Pineapple Club. “Hosting our Coffee Morning each year allows us to support our members, raise awareness and give back.”

The Pineapple Club has built something powerful. Something which goes beyond fundraising. And with Macmillan’s support, it has become a space for community engagement, fundraising and shared knowledge. Their Coffee Morning is now a space where important conversations happen, connections are built, and the community comes together to support people living with cancer.