February 2025
This newsletter aims to give you information about local supportive activities for anyone affected by cancer.
If you need support, please get it touch with the Macmillan Service, drop into our Pod at The Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle call us on 01228 814283 or email cancerinformation@ncic.nhs.uk and we can see how we can help
Recent Events
Macmillan in partnership with Adult Learning at Cumberland Council, have been running Creative Journaling sessions since the New Year. Weekly, on a Wednesday afternoon we met at the United Reformed Church in Whitehaven. Starting with a short walk around the harbour or the park, to have a chat, breath in the sea air and enjoy the sunshine. There was a good flow of conversation and shared experiences, allowing us time to gather inspiration for the week’s journal entry. 
Expression of thoughts and feelings have been committed to paper through various mediums, using drawing and colouring, gel printing, creative writing including poetry and of course the traditional cutting out and sticking in.
Some comments from those that attended: "This has been great for me, journaling my thoughts and feelings gave me an opportunity to look at things from a different perspective and sharing my experiences with the group has definitely had a positive impact on my recovery. Please pass on my sincere thanks to everyone involved in the planning and delivery of the course."
If you would like to join a similar course in the future, please get in touch.
Spotlight on a local support group
"Hi! We’re Dawn and Jilly and we met in 2018 whilst waiting for chemotherapy.
In 2022, we came up with the idea of a peer support group for anyone diagnosed with primary or secondary breast cancer within West Cumbria, but the catch was, you didn’t have to talk about cancer. This group would be called Whitehaven Breast Foot Forward.
"Two years on, we’ve grown to be a constituted group with 5 committee members, 71 group members, and we regularly see around 20 to 25 people at our meetings.
"We organise social evenings every few months and we seem to be going through all the eateries in the area! This Christmas, our members enjoyed a Christmas party at Hunday Manor with a 3-course dinner and dancing into the night.
"Members donate £3 which covers the venue hire and refreshments - plenty of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits and a good craic. We make a point not to ask you about your experience, but if you do want to talk about cancer, there’s always someone there to listen. Our group was founded on the idea that you can get away from cancer for a while and be in a safe space with people who understand.
"Some meetings have guests. In the past, we’ve had the Social Prescribing Team, Macmillan benefits, meditation and pamper sessions. In 2025, we’re planning on inviting more guests and have lots of ideas for activities. We meet upstairs in The Senhouse Centre, Whitehaven, 10am – 12pm, every first Wednesday of the month. Click here to access our private Facebook group"
Upcoming Events
Look Good, Feel Better: makeup workshop sessions for women with a cancer diagnosis, held in Carlisle. The workshops aim to improve self-confidence and self-esteem in a supportive environment with other women affected by cancer. For more information and to book session, click here, or contact us
Craft sessions: our next craft sessions will be taking place:
- Penrith – Thursday 3rd April and Wednesday 23rd April, 10am – 1pm
- Workington – Thursday 10th April, 10am – 1pm
These sessions are informal with all materials provided. We welcome anyone affected by cancer to join.
Stitch for Wellbeing Session: starting on Thursday 24th April for 6 week in Whitehaven. Simple sewing that can be easily learned, providing a calming and mindful activity to promote mental and emotional wellbeing through the repetitive motions with creative expression involved in the process. These sessions are provided in collaboration with the Adult Learning Service and are open to anyone affected by cancer.