Directory of help and support resources

Help and support

First let’s just flag up all the help and support that is available from us at Future Dreams, both online and on-person. We have a dedicated support centre – Future Dreams House – based in Kings Cross London where we welcome anyone impacted by breast cancer. You can pop in for a cup of tea or to join one of our many workshops, events or support groups. We have workshops covering movement (such as yoga, ballet and dance), creativity (such as writing, knitting and art), mental well being (such as Qi Gong, EFT and mindfulness), confidence building (headwear and style workshops), coaching, menopause workshops, nutrition and cooking workshops and much more. We also offer one-to-one therapy sessions such as counselling, reiki and acupuncture. There is a great choice of regular support groups for example, there’s one for people with the BRCA gene, those going through a recurrence and a “everyone is welcome” coffee morning. Most of our in-person workshops and therapies are also being put on as online versions so for those people who can’t get to the House in person you can join in online. To browse our support offerings and sign up, click here.

Website resources

BEAT Eating Disorders this website provides support for people with an eating disorder, plus their families. They provide a telephone helpline.

Breast Cancer Now for up to date information about treatment and support. Including a support helpline..

BRIC (Building Resilience in Cancer Centre) is a support website for women going through all stages of breast cancer. They have a Facebook group, provide all sorts of up to date information about treatment, articles and blogs. They also hold regular discussion groups.

Cancer Care Map –  an online directory that helps people find cancer care and support services in their local area. People with cancer, their friends and family can either search for a service or can browse the types of services available.

Cancer Care Parcel UK Cancer Directory – this is a directory of cancer charities, support groups, therapists, suppliers and services as verified by Cancer Care Parcel. You can search on here for post-mastectomy bras and swimwear, or support groups.

Cancer on Board – Get in touch with this lovely charity for a “Cancer on board” badge. A little badge which lets people know that whilst you may look ok on the outside, you are actually going through cancer treatment, and you may need someone to offer you a set on the train, bus or tube.

Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Their support centres in Essex, London and Hertfordshire are vital in helping people living with cancer. The centres offer a range of complementary therapies to patients in an environment of peace and tranquility, including counselling, reflexology, aromatherapy, manual lymphatic drainage and support groups. The centres are for patients with all types of cancer at all stages, whether newly diagnosed or longer term, throughout and after completion of treatment.

Maggie’s  Maggie’s centres are located around the UK. “At Maggie’s you can talk to, and get support from, a range of professional people. Our Centres are staffed by Cancer Support Specialists, Benefits Advisors, Nutritionists, therapists and Psychologists who can support you in whichever way best suits your needs.”

MaleBC An excellent resource for men with breast cancer.

Marie Curie This charity helps with practical information and support on all aspects of life with terminal illness, dying and bereavement.

Mind This is a mental health charity providing support and information including an infoline and centres across the UK.

Mummy’s Star is a charity supporting women and birthing people diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy or within 12 months of giving birth, and their families.

Oxford Breast Buddy Group Support group in Oxford for anyone experiencing breast cancer.

Penny Brohn UK. “We have a wide range of services that are all available online so that you can access them from wherever you live. For example, our Cancer Wellbeing programme helps people understand more about personalised cancer care and the whole-person approach to living with cancer. The Treatment Support Programme includes the same sort of information but is tailored to those currently in active treatment. There are lots more courses available including things like eating well, managing stress and exercise.”

Ruth Strauss Foundation is a foundation which provides emotional support for families to prepare for the death of a parent.

Samaritans You can contact the Samaritans by phone or email at any time (they are open 24 hours) about anything that you’re struggling with.

Shine Cancer Support  This charity exclusively supports adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s who have experience a cancer diagnosis. They offer regional meet-ups, they have information by way of blogs, pod casts and video casts on topics relevant to this age group.

Solace Women’s Aid is a London-based charity supporting women and children in London who are experiencing domestic and sexual violence right now.

The Good Grief Trust This charity supports those who are grieving the loss of someone close to them.

Trekstock is an organisation aimed at young adults in their 20s and 30s diagnosed with cancer and aims to “deliver practical and social support programmes tailored to the needs of young adults, to give them a better chance of living well through and beyond cancer.” Fantastic organisation.

Winston’s Wish This charity supports grieving children and young people after the death of someone important.

Women’s Aid is a charity supporting women and children experiencing domestic abuse situations.

Your Sim Pal This charity provides free calls, text, data and mobiles for those affected by cancer. There is a simple online form to complete and submit.

Apps

Breast Advocate is a free breast cancer app  that provides evidence-based information and recommendations, personalized for you, exactly when you need it.

Owise – An app that is “your own personal cancer support app to help you regain control of your life from the first day of diagnosis.”

Vine Health – an app to support you through cancer treatment that allows you to report and monitor symptoms, medication and activity levels.

To return to the homepage of our Information Hub, click here where you can access more helpful information, practical advice, personal stories and more.

Reviewed May 2023

We’ve put this list of recommendations together from our experience as patients but we encourage to use these as a starting point from which to do your own research. The links and/or recommendations in this article to third-party resources are for your information and we take no responsibility for the content contained in those third-party resources. Any product recommendations made in this article are not product endorsements and unless otherwise stated, they are made without any affiliation to the brand of that product. We ask you to note that there may be other similar products available.