NEW for friends and family

Talking to loved ones about their cancer

Finding the right words

Our brand new service is designed to help you have better conversations with friends and family about their disease, whilst managing your expectations and emotions.

Reserve a place

Unsure how to broach the topic of their illness? Afraid of saying the wrong thing?

You're not alone.

It's not easy watching someone you love navigating their cancer journey. You want to be there for them, but how?

Understanding what matters to them will enable you to provide the support they really need, but that means talking about it which can be difficult. You may find you're lost for words, or be uncomfortable discussing something so deeply personal, and so avoid the conversation altogether.

When that happens, you can feel as though the support you're offering isn't wanted or appreciated, leaving you feeling pushed away.

Confused by the way they're behaving?

Everyone reacts to their cancer diagnosis differently. Some become outwardly stoic, while others withdraw.

Internally, they're on an emotional rollercoaster, experiencing a mixture of fear and anxiety from the moment they begin to worry about symptoms.

It's difficult to truly know what they're thinking and feeling, and so you might find that you map your own expectations onto their cancer journey.

But when they don't behave the way you anticipate, it can leave you feeling confused and even frustrated.

How they probably feel

Whilst you might be avoiding conversations for fear of saying the wrong thing and upsetting a friend or relative with or recovering from cancer, it's likely they'll feel lonely and isolated as a result.

They may also feel as though you haven't made an effort to understand what they're going through.

And they may feel anxious and even ashamed that they're not living up to your expectations, especially when recovering from cancer.

Your wellbeing will be impacted too

When someone you care about is dealing with cancer, it affects you emotionally too. Not only is it distressing and worrying knowing that they are sick and in turmoil, causing you to feel anxious, you may also experience feelings of helplessness. If you're not communicating effectively, and feeling pushed away, or confused by unexpected behaviours, you can start to suffer from low mood and even resentment. None of this is healthy for you.

Having better conversations makes the cancer experience better for those with the disease, and those around them, like you, which is why we've created a free new support service

  • Free
  • Online
  • Expert led

Just book on, turn up, and take part

If you find that you're struggling to talk openly with a friend or relative about their cancer, so that you can better support them based on their wants and need whilst aligning your expectations, then our new service is built specifically for you.

Taking place online via video call, you'll join others just like you that also want to learn how they can best support a loved one with and beyond cancer.

The sessions are facilitated by our experienced Cancer Coaches, many of whom have been through a cancer journey of their own. Together, you'll explore ways to talk about cancer from a position of empathy and mutual understanding.

To get started, simply supply a few details and we'll be in touch to get you booked onto the next available session.

Save your spot

Get the tools and know-how you need to better support your loved one and yourself

Provide us with your basic contact information and we'll get you registered and send you the joining details you need for the next available 1 hour Zoom session which will cover:

  • Exploring typical emotions during and post treatment – understanding the common themes around a cancer experience
  • Furthering our understanding of how our loved ones may be feeling
  • The reality of being a supporter – how can supporting a loved one affects our own wellbeing
  • A personal story from a family member
  • Focusing on your own wellbeing – the importance of self care and self care in practice
  • How to stay connected and supported – where to find support beyond the session
Register today

FAQs

Who are the sessions aimed at? +
Our new Friends and Family coaching sessions can benefit spouses and partners of people during and after cancer, as well as wider family members, friends, and even work colleagues.
How much does it cost to attend? +
Like our other online coaching services, our Friends and Family sessions are totally free to attend and always will be. However, if you'd like to make a small donation of £5 to support our work, we'd be very grateful and will give you the opportunity to do so when you book a place.
What will I get from it? +
You'll come away from the session with a much clearer idea of what your loved one is experiencing emotionally, how to talk to them about the support they want from you, and how to recognise and manage the emotional impacts you'll encounter. Not only will you gain lots of new insights and coping tools, you'll leave with a new peer network of people in a simillar situation to yours.
Where do the sessions take place? +
Our Friends and Family sessions take place online, so you don't have to travel to attend, and can join from the comfort of your own home on a computer or smartphone with an internet connection.

Save your spot

Places are strictly limited so that all participants get an opportunity to contribute, and fill up fast. If you'd like to join us on next available session, book now.

Reserve your place