Macmillan Telephone Buddies

If you need to talk, we're here to listen. With a weekly call from one of our trained Telephone Buddies, you don't have to face cancer alone.

All photos are of real people living with cancer.

This service is temporarily closed for applications

Telephone Buddies was set up as a coronavirus response project, it has been hugely successful in supporting people living with cancer, however we have reached our maximum capacity and have therefore taken the action to pause new registrations until further notice.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications to become a volunteer Telephone Buddy. If you are interested in volunteering for Macmillan, then please head over to the Volunteering Village for a selection of the currently available opportunities.

If you would like to be notified when we re-open the volunteer buddy service, please email telephonebuddying@macmillan.org.uk.

Further support

Here are some other services that may be useful if you need support now:

Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm. You can also use the web chat. They can provide clinical, practical and financial information.
Email our Mobile Information and Support staff at mobileteam@macmillan.org.uk. They can provide information about local services and support.
Visit the Macmillan Online Community to chat anonymously about the experience of having cancer. Join discussions about everything from managing money, your rights at work, and coping with treatment.
You can also find our information about cancer and coronavirus and general cancer information and support.

How a Telephone Buddy helps

Going through cancer can be an isolating experience at any time, and especially when social distancing. Our free Telephone Buddy service is here for you. We'll match you with someone who understands what you're going through, and they'll give you a weekly call.

Your volunteer buddy will be a listening ear, ready to talk about how you’re feeling and your support needs during this difficult time. They can also let you know about our services, and all the ways Macmillan can help, to ensure you don't face cancer alone.

How it works

You sign up to register your interest.
We'll get in touch to find out what support you need.
We'll find a Telephone Buddy who suits your needs.
You'll get a weekly call from your Telephone Buddy.

You'll receive up to 12 weeks or more of support, or whatever works best for you.

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Who it's for

We are committed to ensuring that Macmillan Cancer Support is a great place for everyone, and prioritise maintaining a fair, equal, and inclusive environment. Our Telephone Buddies service is available to anyone in the UK who is living with cancer, inclusive of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, gender, sexual orientation or religion and belief. We want everyone to be able to access this service, so please let us know if there is anything we can do for you to do this.

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© Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ. VAT no: 668265007

We make every effort to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and up-to-date but it should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialist professional advice tailored to your situation. So far as is permitted by law, Macmillan does not accept liability in relation to the use of any information contained in this publication or third party information or websites included or referred to in it.