Local Cancer Information Directory

Our new local directory is now live at www.myhealthessex.co.uk

This directory is for patients in the west Essex locality.   

Please note - due to COVID-19, some of the groups may offer a reduced service, please contact them directly for more information.

 

Cancer Information and Support Service

The West Essex Macmillan 

1st Floor, Addison House, Hamstel Road,
Harlow, Essex, CM20 1EP

Tel: 01279 698 673

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web: https://eput.nhs.uk/our-services/west-essex/cancer-support/

West Essex Facebook Support Group – search for
West Essex Cancer Support on facebook.

  • Support and information for anyone affected by cancer
  • Face to face visits to discuss your needs
  • Information and access to other services
  • Benefits advice and assistance
  • A volunteer befriending service
  • HOPE course – six week self-management course for people living with cancer and who have finished their cancer treatment
  • Information service at Williams Day Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital
  • Information points at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping and Saffron Walden Community Hospital

 

Carers support  

Carers First ( Essex)

Unit 4,(Ground floor),
Freeport office Village,
CenturyDrive, Braintree,

Essex   CM778YG

Tel:03003031555

Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/essex 

Provide emotional support, practical support, advice, information and informal advocacy. 

 

Citizens Advice  

Uttlesford Citizens Advice Bureau

Barnards Yard, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4EB

Tel: 01799 618840

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web:   www.uttlefordcab.org.uk

  • Advice on housing
  • Financial advice
  • Advice on education
  • Advice on work

Epping Forest District Citizens Advice Bureau

Tel:   Phone us 03444 770 808,
Monday to Friday 10.00 to 16.00

Epping Office -
Ernest Wythes House, 50a Hemnall Street, 
Epping CM16 4LS

Loughton Office -
Loughton Library (first floor), Traps Hill,
Loughton IG10 1HD

Waltham Abbey Office -
Side Entrance, Town Hall, Waltham Abbey,
Essex, EN9 1DE

Web: http://www.citizensadviceefd.org.uk/#

We provide free, confidential and impartial advice and campaign on big issues affecting people's lives.

  • Advice on housing
  • Financial advice
  • Advice on education
  • Advice on work

Harlow Citizens Advice Bureau

13-15 Eastgate, The High, Harlow, Essex CM20 1HP
Open Monday - Friday 10am-4pm

Tel:   0344 4770808

Public Telephone Access Line
for guidance and information

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am till 1pm

Web: http://www.harlowcitizensadvice.org.uk/

Citizens Advice Harlow gives advice audited by the Citizens Advice Service.
All advice is given free of charge but is of the highest professional standard.
We deal with a wide range of issues including debt, divorce, benefits, housing,
consumer and legal issues.


Transport or Parking

 

Epping Forest Community Transport

Tel:   01992 579556

Web:   www.vaef.org.uk

Operates in your community with volunteer drivers

 
  • Individual bookings
  • Group bookings
  • Voluntary/community groups
  • Community buses
  • Excursions
  • No emergency doctor/hospital appointments
 

Uttlesford Community Travel

Tel:   01371 875787

Web:   www.uttlesfordcommunitytravel.org

 
  • Community volunteer transport for the over 60’s the disabled or those who are rurally isolated
  • The service covers all types of medical appointments, travel to day centres, hair appointments, days out or visits to friends
  • You will need to become a member to use the service and there is a charge made
  

Support groups and support centres

 

Helen Rollason

West Essex Support Centre within

Harlow LeisureZone,

Second Avenue, Harlow

CM203DT

Tel:     01279 413412

Email:   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web:     www.helenrollason.org.uk

 
  • The centre offers a range of free support and therapies to help people living with cancer
  • Including counselling and support groups
  • Complementary therapies
 

The Hummingbird Group

Herts and Essex Hospital, The Kitwood Suite,
Cavell Drive, off Haymeads Lane,
Bishop’s Stortford,  CM23 5JH

Tel:     01279 827247

http://www.hummingbirdgroup.btck.co.uk/

 
  • The centre offers Reiki within NHS environments and other health support groups
  • Drop in meets on alternate Mondays, 10am to 1pm at the Rhodes Arts Centre Cafe Bar, off South Road in Bishop’s Stortford
 

ProActive – Prostate Cancer Self-Help Group

Tel:   07747 374692

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web:   www.proactive.me.uk

 An informal local group for men with prostate cancer, and their carers, which provides support to other patients and their families through regular meetings at St Margaret’s Hospital.
 

Breast Cancer Support Group

Orchard Day Unit, St Margarets Hospital,
The Plain, Epping,
Essex, CM16 6TN

Tel:      01992 575449 (Gloria Eveleigh)

 
  • Advice, peer support & practical help for women who have, or have had, breast cancer.
  • Meetings are the 3rd Thursday of the month, 7.00pm-8.45pm
  • Alternate months have information session with a guest speaker.
  • Patients are encouraged to self-refer
 

Secondary Breast Cancer Support Group

Based at UCLH in London


Tel: 020 3906 1406

Web: www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk    

 

Monthly group specifically for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Meets monthly on Tuesdays from 5.30pm-7pm

Lung Support Group

Paringdon Sports Club, Paringdon Road,
Harlow, Essex, CM19 4QT

Tel (Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist)
– 07932526152, 01279 827622

  • Peer support for people who are affected by lung cancer: patients, relatives & carers.
  • Facilitated by Lung Cancer Nurse.
  • Guest speakers.
  • Meetings are the 1st Wednesday of the month, 2pm-4pm

Connect - Stoma patients support group

The Harlow & District Stoma Group,
The Link, Parsloe Road,
Harlow, Essex, CM19 4RT

Tel: Lin Hart 01279 505273

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  • Oesophageal & Gastric Cancer & Related Conditions Support group
    offering practical & emotional support for stoma patients, partners, family and friends.
  • Monthly programme of events.
  • Annual fee £8 single, £13 joint (partner or friend)
  • Meetings are 2nd Tuesday of every month, 10.30am-12noon
 

Essex Bowel Cancer Support Group

Facebook based online support group

Admin: Emma Sly –
Macmillan Recovery Package Manager,
Princess Alexandra Hospital

Tel: 01279 444455 ext 3023

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1463159353981457/

(or from your personal Facebook acct. just search for
Essex Bowel Cancer Support)

 

This is a closed/private support group for anyone affected by Bowel Cancer.

A very friendly bunch who offer peer to peer support for anyone who needs.

The group is overseen by a specialist nurse who can be available for any medical questions


Emotional and health and wellbeing support

Healthy Minds

 

Tel: 0300 2225943

Web: www.hpft.nhs.uk/healthyminds

Healthy Minds is a NHS service offering quick and easy access to talking therapies, practical support and employment advice for anyone who may be experiencing depression, anxiety or stress

Health and Wellbeing Events

Lisa Reid

Macmillan Recovery Package Manager

Princess Alexandra Hospital

Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Events organised every 3-4 months for patients and their loved ones. The events offer advice on a variety of topics including:

Diet & nutrition, Exercise, Benefits, Breathlessness, Fatigue and Mindfulness

Plus gives an opportunity for peer to peer support

Macmillan Hope Course

Run by The West Essex Macmillan Cancer
Information and Support Service

Tel: 01279 698 673

HOPE course is a six week self-management course for people living with cancer and/or who have finished their cancer treatment

Moving on from your breast cancer (MBV course)

Held in either Epping or Harlow

Tel: 01279 827857

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  • A free course for anyone with breast cancer.
  • Aimed at self and health improvement post treatment
  • 2hrs per week for 6 weeks
  • Incudes sessions on nutrition, physiology, exercise, mindfulness, dressing post treatment.
  • An opportunity to share experience and learning with other breast cancer patients

Fabulous and Beautiful

Held in either Epping or Harlow

Tel:   01279 827857

  • Held first Monday of the month from 11am – 2pm.
  • Pampering session and chance to talk to other people with breast cancer

Brafternoon Support group                                                          

Manor of Groves Hotel,                                                                                                                                           

Sawbridgeworth,

Herts,CM21 0JU

Tel: Anita Gray 07703254001

Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Held fourth Monday of the month from 11-3pm.

Ladies support group for all cancer types, offering an opportunity to meet likeminded individuals for support and friendship with regular speakers and events.

Cancer Hair Care

Williams Day Unit

Princess Alexander Hospital

Tel:01438311322

Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.cancerhaircare.co.uk

Look Good Feel Better

The Rivers Hospital

Sawbridgeworth

Tel:07908221025

Held 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month.

9.30-1.30pm. Expert hair advisors can help with; Headscarves & headwear, scalp cooling, makeup, wig care and styling advice, new hair growth.

LGFB provides free skincare and makeup workshops for men and women cancer patients.


Physical Activity

Energise Cancer Rehab

Epping Sports Centre, 25 Hemnall Street,

Epping, CM16 4LU

Tel: Annette Stansfield
(Cancer rehabilitation scheme co-ordinator) – 01992 564564  

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

12 week programme with advice and support to becoming more active

  • Referral via GP or health professional
  • 12 weeks of unlimited exercise for £49.95
  • Cancer rehab exercise class runs on Tuesday 12.15pm, which are free while on the scheme
  • Personal health assessment and exercise programme
  • Nutritional. Exercise and lifestyle support
  • Online activity planner
  • Specialist cancer rehab classes
  • Low impact classes including yoga, pilates and stretch
  • Swimming
 

Cancer Be Fit – Fitness for breast cancer survivors

 

Tel: 07701 094373

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

A free fitness class run by Elaine, a survivor and qualified Cancer and
Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist

 

  • Classes on Tuesdays 10.30am at The Norman Booth Centre, Elderfield,
    Mulberry Green, Old Harlow, Harlow, CM17 0EY

Active Harlow Social Strollers


Tel:   Chris Purvis - 01279 446435

Email:   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  • Walks are free to join and happen every other Friday in Harlow Town Park.  
  • A calendar of our walks is available at www.harlow.gov.uk. 
  • 30 minute or 60 minute route option available.

Exercise: An introduction to physical activity

Held at St Margarets Hospital

Tel: 01279 827857 (Wed – Thurs 9am-5pm)

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  • A free course for anyone with breast cancer who wishes to improve their level of exercise post treatment
  • A fun six week course
  • 12.30-1.30om on Tuesdays.
  • All levels of fitness welcome even if you have never exercised before

Hospice

 

St Clares Hospice

St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood Road,
Hastingwood,
Essex, CM17 9JX

Tel:   01279 773 700

Web:   http://stclarehospice.org.uk/

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 
  • St Clare Hospice is a local charity and each year we care for hundreds of people across West Essex and the East Hertfordshire border.
  • Provide free, compassionate care and support to adults with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers.

  

Practical Support

Community Agents Essex – Supporting Independent Living

Tel: to arrange a free visit,
call 08009 775858 or 01376 574341

Web:   www.communityagentessex.org.uk

Email:   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

An innovative partnership supporting older people over 65 and their informal carers

  • Mobility issues
  • Practical living skills
  • Social inclusion
  • Healthy living
  • Caring for someone
  • Individual resilence

Frontline

www.uttlesfordfrontline.org.uk

www.harlowfrontline.org.uk

www.eppingforestfrontline.org.uk

Frontline is a community project that helps the public and professionals.

A library of local health and wellbeing services.

 

Lymphoedema Support

Breast cancer referrals are sent to
Breast Care Unit, St Margaret’s Hospital.

Non breast patients are sent to appropriate Lymphoedema
service via G.P or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
The service is community based and was established to treat people affected by lymphoedema secondary to their cancer. It also cares for patients who have complex oedema at end of life.


Bereavement Support

Cruse Bereavement Care

 

Tel: National helpline – 0844 477 9400

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website:   www.cruse.org.uk

Cruse young people’s support Helpline 0808 808 1677

Website   www.RD4U.org.uk

  • Cruse is a national charity that provides advice, information and support and anyone who has been bereaved, whenever or however the death occurred.
  • A free confidential service.
  • Face-to-face, telephone, email and website support, both post- and pre-bereavement.
  • National helpline and local services throughout the country

 


Macmillan Support Line – 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm)