Page to park items deleted from other pages
(in case they are required in future)
From “Macmillan Family Theraputic Service” page
Monthly children’s fun swimming group at Crown Pools Ipswich
Organised by John Le Vay Cancer Support and Information Centre, these sessions are for any child whose parent or grandparent has cancer.
The group was set up in 2016, when a parent who had cancer herself approached the John Le Vay Cancer Support and Information Center; asking if a children’s fun swimming group could be set up. She felt her own children missed out on going swimming at the weekend because she was having treatment and maybe this would be a great way for children of all ages to come together to have fun. The group has grown and has been very successful.
To find out further details visit Children’s Fun Swimming group
Workshops for children/teenagers
Activity Days for young people who have a parent, grandparent or sibling with cancer
Workshops for children who have experienced the loss of someone special to them if they are already known to the service
Art and music workshops for children
If you think your child may benefit from one of the above workshops then please talk to or telephone Angelika who can provide you with details and any forthcoming dates
Family Activity Days
2023: Family Activity Days have been paused owing to Covid-19
Organised by John Le Vay Cancer Support and Information Centre and Active Suffolk
The aim of the Family Activity Days
We aim to provide physical activity events throughout the year to offer cancer patients who have young families and are still of working age to spend time together socialising, supporting each other and enjoying different types of activities at the same time.
Activities so far have included badminton, table tennis, new age kurling, archery, Clip n Climb, skiing, tobogganing, crazy golf and some members have even taken part in the Great East Swim Family Project. "Fantastic opportunity for our group to be together and have fun. The events have been very well organised and it was a great morning's entertainment for all the family, we loved it! This type of activity day is very important because it offers the children the chance to do something positive and gives the adults the opportunity to share ideas and support. We can't wait to come back!" For more information, please contact:
Nick Pringle, tel: 01394 444605, e-mail: nick.pringle@activesuffolk.org
Louise Smith, tel: 01473 704935, e-mail: louise.m.smith@esneft.nhs.uk
From “Family Support Resources” page
To support young people affected by bereavement, 4YP offers drop-in sessions where people can talk as part of a small group in confidence about their experiences and fears. These are led by a St Elizabeth Hospice Children and Young People's Bereavement Counsellor. The Counsellor offers support and advice, and the participants offer a level of peer support
Suffolk Young People Health Project (4YP): Dying to Talk
Tel: 07810 481308 (Rob Ilett, St Elizabeth Hospice), e-mail: robert.ilet@stelizabethhospice.org.uk
From “Cancer Support Groups” page
Macmillan Cancer Support Group - Ipswich (Kesgrave)
Meets from 10:30 - 11:30 on the third Monday of the month at Kesgrave Library, Ropes Drive, Kesgrave. We offer support and a listening ear (tea, coffee and biscuits). Carers are welcome
Contact: 01473 626103
Cancer Support Group - Saxmundham
Meets on the last Friday of the month, 10.30am - 12.30pm at Fromus Centre, Seaman Avenue, Saxmundham, IP17 1DZ Informal and Friendly, just pop in and join the group
Zoom calls are available and can be set up 07596549909
Contact: 07596 549909
email: sax.cancergroup@gmail.com
From “Courses” page
Time and Space Course
Life can be tough caring for someone who is either going through cancer treatment or living with cancer.
You can experience a wide range of emotions and can feel isolated.
We can help you to ensure your needs are not forgotten.
Who is the Time and Space course for?
Adults, aged 18 and over, who care for someone who has had or is living with cancer.
How will the course benefit you?
The course provides a supportive, friendly, confidential group setting which will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to cope with many of the frustrations, fears and sense of isolation that caring for someone with or after cancer can bring.
It is for groups of between 4 and 8 people and is free to attend. To get the best out of the course you do need to be committed to attending both of the two sessions.
The sessions are run by trained facilitators who are either health or social care professionals or trained volunteers who have had a cancer experience.
This free course runs for 3hrs on one day a week, for two consecutive weeks.
The course deals with:
Goal setting and action planning
Looking for solutions to problems
Stress management (e.g. mindfulness and relaxation)
Fatigue management
Emotional management
Identifying your strengths
Becoming more positive, grateful and appreciating life more
Healthy lifestyles (e.g. eating more healthily and physical activity)
Prioritising the important things in life
Communication skills
The courses are held at the church hall in Rushmere St Andrew. To find out more or book onto a course, please visit the Ipswich Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre or tel: 01473 715748.
From Counselling page
Macmillan counselling
Through BUPA, Macmillan are offering up to 6 free counselling sessions for people struggling emotionally because they are living with cancer. People can access specialist support remotely within days if they qualify to use the service. Follow this link for more information or call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 and ask about the Bupa service
From Community Support page
IP4: Ipswich (Northgate area & Rushmere): Rushmere Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07833 194477, e-mail: rushmeregoodneighbour@gmail.com
Group formed in the second quarter of 2020 to help particularly those who are elderly or shielding, with shopping, collecting prescriptions, basic DIY and signposting to shops which take online orders. Volunteers also offer support and befriending over the phone to relieve isolation.
IP14 Debenham: Debenham Help Buddies (C-19)
Tel: 07752 296136, e-mail: none given
Contact also via Private Facebook Group (link above).
Offer help with collection of shopping/ prescriptions and provides a “listening ears” services to those in need of a chat (leave details on phone number given above)
IP14 Onehouse, Harleston & Shelland: Onehouse, Harleston & Shelland Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
March 2023: Suffolk Good Neighbour Scheme website no longer shows an active organisation in this location.
Contact details from 2022 Tel: 07762 132840, e-mail: none given
Offers assistance with shopping/ prescriptions, friendly chat and more. Information from local newsletter
IP17 Westleton: Westleton Community Care Network (C-19)
Update: “The Network is currently on Stand-by (March 2021) but will be re-activated if & when necessary”. Information below is from January 2021.
Contact local co-ordinators throughout the village, or tel: 01728 648354 (Village Hall), e-mail: centremanager@westletonvillagehall.co.uk. Offers delivery of food/ prescriptions and emergency meals if necessary.
From Carers page
Suffolk Carers Matter, providing information and support for carers, to help to ensure their experience as a carer is as positive as it can be. Support methods includes an Advice Line tel: 01284 333035 which offers tailored information, advice and guidance, emotional support, signposting and can do onward referrals on your behalf.
From “What’s New” page
Newsletters
Click for previous newsletters: April 2024, January 2024, October 2023, July 2023, April 2023.
Moving Forward - Colchester & Ipswich (Capel St Mary) - April 2024
The charity Breast Cancer Now offers a course “Moving Forward” for people with a diagnosis of primary breast cancer. A face-to-face version of the “Moving Forward” course will be available in Capel St Mary on 16th and 23rd April 2023. For more information and to register for the course, please follow this link.
On the Moving Forward course you can expect sessions on wellbeing, managing significant change, and you'll have the opportunity to speak with a health care professional to ask any medical-based questions.
Lymphoma Action: Live your Life workshop, Ipswich 23rd May 2024
To find out more and register follow this link
A free in-person workshop for people affected by lymphoma. The day will look at:
understanding lymphoma
emotional wellbeing
exercise and nutrition
sources of help and support
Chair-based yoga (online only)
An online weekly yoga class with instructor Norie intended for all. Please contact us to register your interest.
Mindfulness programme at the Ipswich Cancer Wellbeing & Information Centre
Maintaining a moment by moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. Please contact us to register your interest.