UK support groups

Here you will find a list of local support groups for ovarian or gynacological cancers based in the UK. They are arranged in alphabetical order by general location.

If you attend or run a group that you would like to see included here, please let us know

Telephone

New Perspectives on Living with Cancer
This group is user led and will focus on sharing and having discussions on how those living with cancer and cancer survivors can be supported with the help of Integrated and Holistic Care, Positive Thinking and Meditation.

Many people are unable to attend a face to face group for various reasons, this telephone support group allows you to join in from your home or hospital room. It also gives you the freedom to benefit from the help and support anywhere in the UK.

Meetings will take place from 7:00pm - 8:00pm on the following dates:
24th March 2010
14th April 2010
5th May 2010
19th May 2010

Anyone on the Cancer Journey is welcome to join.
For further details please contact the Group Facilitator Ambika RGN.CN on: 0207 692 0024 or email: sb.nplc@hotmail.com

Belfast

Angels of Hope Support Centre
Type of group: Ovarian Cancer
Meetings: Drop in centre open Mon-Thursday 9.30-3.30
Where: 17 Fitzwilliam Street, Belfast BT9 6AW. 02890241310
Other Information: Holistic therapies and counselling avaialble at no cost - appointment necessary.
www.angelsofhope.org.uk

Derby

One Voice
Type of Group: All gynaecological cancers
Meeting: 4th Wednesday in the month from 10am to 12noon
Where: Mickleover Library, Holly End Road, Mickleover, Derby
DE3 0EA.
Contact: Kay Thornwell Gynae Clinical Nurse Specialist/ Alison Launchbury Gynae Sister on 01332 785925 or Jan Petrie Gyunae Clinical Nurse Specialist on 01283 511511 extn 5033
Other Information: Offers Support to women and their families. Patron Margaret Beckett

Dewsbury

WAGS ( Women's Association of Gynaecological Support)
Type of Group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: Monthly (different days each month)
Where: Dewsbury Hospital Oakwell Centre
Contact: Robyn Wells (number from Ovacome office)

Doncaster

ISIS Support Group
Type of Group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: 6 - 7.30pm first Monday of the month
Where: Women's Hospital, Gynae Outpatients, Doncaster Royal Infirmary DN2 5LT
Contact: Jo Mann / Wendy Lee Gynaecology / Oncology clinical nurse specialists 02302 366666 ext 4673
Other Information: Friendly support group run by clinical nurse specialists. Speakers arranged for most meetings.

Dorset

reCOVEr
Type of Group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: Monthly meetings for patients and carers
Contact: Jean Brown (phone number available from Ovacome office)
Other Information: Medical and other specialists come and give talks. Opportunity to meet others who have had similar experiences - excellent raffle!
www.recoversupport.org.uk

Dudley

Cancer Support
Type of group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: The Fourth Wednesday of every month at the White House Dudley
Where: The White House Dudley
Contact: Ailine Madders -number from Ovacome office (group coordinator) or the White House 01384 231232
Other Information: Our aim is to offer mutual support to women who have been diagnosed with a range of gynaecological cancers. There is a varied programme of speakers covering a wide range of health and general interest topics plus visits to places of interest. A gynae clinical support nurse attends the meeings and is available for consultation on a one to one basis. A range of complementary therapies and other areas of support are available at the White House by appointment at all other times

Gateshead

Close Friends
Type of Group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: First Monday of the month at 2pm
Where: Colposcopy Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Gateshead
Contact: Heather Coyle - details from Ovacome office
Other Information: An informal drop in group. Heather is willing to meet people North of the Tyne who cannot get to the meetings on request - please contact her directly.

Guildford

Guildford Ovarian Cancer Group
Type of Group: Ovarian cancer
Meetings: Every 2 months 1-2.30pm
Where: Fountain Centre, St Lukes Cancer Centre, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford GU2 7XX
Contact: Nikki Carter Gynae Specialist Nurse 01483 571 122

Huddersfield

Daylight Support Group
Type of group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: Second Thursday of every month 10am -12 noon
Where: George Hotel Huddersfield
Contact: Pat Marsden 01422 222720/222703
Other Information: Family and friends are welcome to the meeting which are informal, relaxed and friendly. Speakers are invited and the group also run craft sessions and fundraising events.

Ipswich

Gynae Support Group
Type of Group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: First Monday of every other month. Carers, relatives and friends welcome
Where: Stour Centre Ipswich Hospital
Contact: Lynn Jones ( Admin coordinator) 01473 703020 lyn.jones@ipswichhospital.nhs.uk
Other Information: Social gathering with speakers

Leeds

Daylight Support Group
Type of Group All gynaecolgical cancers
Meetings One Tuesday a month 6.30pm
Where Robert Ogden Centre, St James University Hospital
Contact Alison Craven 0113 2067836,Cheryl Down 0113 2067820

London

Cherry Lodge Cancer Care
Type of group: Ovarian cancer
Meetings: Wednesdays 7.30pm, every 6 weeks
Where: 23 Union St, Barnet EN5 4HY
Contact: 020 8441 7000 info@cherrylodgecancercare.org.uk
Other Information: www.cherrylodgecancercare.org.uk

Lewisham Women's Cancer Support Group
Type of group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of every month 6-8pm
Where: University Hospital Lewisham High Street London SE13 6LH
Contact: Women's Health Counsellors 020 8333 3069
Other Information: This group provides a friendly and informal atmosphere in which women canmeet others witht the same or similar illness. Members of the group share ideas, experiences and information and give and receive and support. The group also organises visiting speakers and ares of special knowledge and expertise. Members come from different backgrouds and age groups. The aim of the group is to reduce anxiety and the sense of isolation and to increase confidence and resources to cope with cancer.

Merseyside

Evoc
Type of group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: every 3 months
Where: Blackburne House, Liverpool city centre
Contact: LWH clinical team on 0151 702 4186

Middlesborough

Ova The Rainbow
Type of group: All gynaecological cancers but mainly ovarian
Meetings: First Friday in the month except January @11am-1pm
Where: The Trinity Centre, North Ormesby Market Square Middlesborough
Contact: Lynne Wright/ Jane McNeil 01642 282418
Other Information: Established in 2001 by Lynne and Jane specialist oncology nurses. Family friends and other supporters are welcome. Car Parking is free with easy access and transport can be arranged if needed. An opportunity to make new friends and exchange information. Talks by visiting speakers. Newsletters.

Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire Gynae Cancer Support Group (Voice)
Type of Group: All gynae cancers
Meetings: Meets last Wednesday of the month from 7.30-9.30 Where: The Cripps Centre, Northampton General Hospital.
Contact: Gail Pullen - details from the Ovacome office or phone Anita York/ Claire Campbell on 01604 544307.

Nottinghamshire

Nott Gosh ( Nottingham Gynaecology Self Help Group )
Type of Group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: Every other month, usually last tuesday 7-9pm
Where: Nottingham University Hospital ( City Campus)
Contact: Sue Mills Gynaecological Specialist Nurse 01159691169 extn 56162 or Glenis Swift 0115 9538617 or Andrea Clark 0115 9372693
Other Information: A group of ladies ( partners friends and carers ) who meet to support each other in the aftermath of various gynaecological cancers.

Ovarian Cancer Group
Type of Group: Ovarian Cancer
Meetings: Tuesday evenings every 2 months 7-9pm
Where: Reception area of the Seven Mile Beefeater Pub on the A60 between Mansfield and Nottingham
Contact: Mollie Calladine Ovacome Member ( phone number from Ovacome office)
Other Information: Very informal. Local Gynaecological Oncology Nurse attends when she can and is happy to answer questions.

Portsmouth ( Now at Cosham )

Ovarian Cancer Support Group
Type of Group: Ovarian cancer
Where: Macmillan Centre, Queen Alexandra Hospital
Contact: Dorothy Petty -details from the Ovacome office

Reading

Coffee and Chat
Type of group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: First Wednesday of every month 10.30 to 12
Where: Hurley Ward- Day Room ( Gynaecological Ward) Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading RG1 5AN
Contact: Lisa Clarke 01183 228195 / Catherine Bailey 01183 228700
Other Information: Women only, friendly group, informal meeting, speakers arranged as and when specified by members. Attended by gynae oncology nurse specialist and Macmillan information health professional. The aim of the group is to support each other with practical and sensitive issues give members the ability to express feelings, to share information and to help individual's ways of coping.

Romford

Converse
Type of Group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: First Monday of the month, changing to second Monday of the month if the first falls on a bank holiday, 7-9pm
Where: Victoria Centre Pettits Lane Romford
Contact: Coordinator Donna Hurley 01708 435174
Other Information: This group provides support and information to women, their families, carers aaand friends. A gynaecological nurse specialist and Macmillan Information Officer are present at every meeting. CONVERSE stands for Cervical Ovarian N Vulval/Vaginal, Endometrial,R,Support, Education.

Solihull

Cancer Support Group
Type of Group: All cancers including all gynaecological cancers.
Meeting: 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month @7.30pm
Where: SIMTA Conference Centre (behind Parkway Private Hospital) Damsonwood Parkway, Solihull
Contact: Patricia Hill 0121 711 1966 or Shirley Peck 0121 705 1818
Other Information: Offers a warm welcome with tea and biscuits. At each meeting they have an interesting and informative talk from experts such as oncologists, surgeons, radiologists and complimentary therapists. They also offer the services of people with skills in relaxation and healing. You will be able to talk to someone who has been through a similar experience- you do not have to do it on your own.

Somerset

GOSSIP
Type of Group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: Once a month usually 4th Monday between 5.30 and 7pm
Where: Shrubbery Hotel Illminster
Contact: Sue Golby 01823 342005 or Eileen Fort 01935384454
Other Information: A support group which meets to chat, swap ideas, gain infomation and give each other that extra help needed at this time.

Southend

COPES
Type of Group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: One Saturday a month 10am to 12 noon
Where: Nightingale Centre Southend Hospital
Contact: Emma Chaplin or Marilyn Whittick 01702 435555 extn 4122
Other Information: Informal group, visits from guest speakers and professionals for info, discussions, fundraising, coffee, mutual support, chat etc. All welcome.

Southport

Ovarian Cancer Support
Type of Group: Ovarian Cancer
Meetings: First Tuesday alternative months at 7pm
Where: Sallus Centre Southport and Formby District General Hospital
Contact: Esther Lennon 01695656658 ( Mon -Fri 9-5)
Other Information: Meet for friendship and support. Exchange information and experiences. Informal and friendly. Often have speakers.

Walsall

EvOcC
Type of Group: All gynaecological cancers
Meetings: Once a month, usually the last Tuesday at 7.30pm
Where: Walsall Manor Hospital ( Maternity Wing)
Contact: Margaret Merrick - 01922 721172 Extn 6564 margaret.merrick@walsallhospitals.nhs.uk
Other Information: Informal meetings, speakers as and when requested by members. Gynae/Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist attends. Friends and carers are welcome. Annual fund raising disco for local hospital. We are a small group but perfectly formed!

Worcestershire Gynaecological Cancer Group

Type of Group: All gynaecological cancers

Meetings: Last Wednesday of every month 7-9pm

Where: St Richards Hospice

Contact: Nicki Plant Gynae/Oncology CNS 01905733257