Cancer Coach
At Cancer Support UK, we understand that it’s perfectly normal to be left with anxiety and concerns after treatment – sometimes for a long time – and following discharge, it’s hard to know where to go for help.
When cancer treatment finally finishes, family and friends often expect cancer patients to feel better, but for many, it’s when they feel worst of all.
Our Cancer Coach support groups can help.
If you are a healthcare professional and would like to refer someone to Cancer Coach, please click on the Make a referral button. If you are self-referring please click on the Join a Cancer Coach Support Group button.
**Cancer Coach course dates for 2023**
* 15 May-16 June – book by 5 May
* 10 July-18 August – book by 30 June
* 11 September-13 October – book by 1 September
* 6 November-15 December – book by 27 October
While there can be relief when cancer treatment comes to an end, the weeks and months that follow can be far from straightforward. Many people who have experienced cancer can feel isolated, and struggle with low mood or anxiety, finding it hard to deal with what they have been through.
What is Cancer Coach?
Our Cancer Coach support groups are available to anyone who has completed their physical cancer treatment and is experiencing low mood, anxiety and worry, and doesn’t know how to move forward in their recovery.
The groups are suitable for people who have previously had a stage 1-3 diagnosis.
The course takes participants through a series of weekly facilitated group sessions, run for a six-week period over the telephone or online video. The sessions take participants through a series of strategies, techniques and exercises that aim to furnish them with the tools, support and coping strategies that can help them on their recovery journey.
Our trained group facilitators talk participants through the negative thought patterns that can linger after treatment ends, how to challenge them, as well as how to manage worries. There is also a chance to talk to others in the group, all of whom are recovering following the end of treatment. This ensures everyone can receive and give valuable peer support and encouragement.
The course is free and completely confidential, accessible via the telephone or online video, from the comfort and privacy of home.
The Benefits of Cancer Coach
The programme helps people who have experienced cancer to:
- better understand and manage their own challenging emotions
- build resilience
- begin to reduce feelings of isolation and low mood
- improve their confidence and self-esteem, both during the programme and beyond
Since Cancer Coach takes place over the phone or online video, participants do not have to travel to a physical appointment. They can join their sessions from wherever they feel most comfortable.
“At first I was apprehensive, but I decided to go for it. It was easy. It really helped me, and I really hope it’ll help others too.” – Helen, Cancer Coach participant
Who is Cancer Coach for?
Cancer Coach is for anyone over the age of 18 who has completed treatment for cancer, regardless of whether they finished treatment a few months ago, or a few years ago. Participants can be based anywhere in the UK.
If you’re interested in finding out more about Cancer Coach, please submit an application to join a group and a member of Cancer Support UK will be in touch.
Groups are
- Run by trained facilitators and coaches
- Free and confidential
- Open to people with all types of cancer
- Open to people across the UK
- Designed by a range of health and social experts and people who have experienced cancer
- Available for as long as it takes
How to Get Started
Step 2
We will be in touch to check the programme is suitable for your needs and to give you further information.
Step 3
Join a group and start the programme. It’s free and takes place once a week, for six weeks, either on the phone or via online video.
Step 4
Tell us what you think so we can always improve.
