
Support Groups
There are a number of groups which aim to help you get on with your daily life as well as handle the effects of the treatment you may be receiving. Your relatives, carers and friends are also welcome to come along to these groups to find out more about what living with your condition and how they can support you.
Below is a list of local and national support groups available to our patients, carers and families:
If you facilitate or run a support group and would like to feature on this page, please contact the Patient Services Team on plh-tr.patientservices@nhs.net.
Support Groups (AZ)
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Brain Tumour Support – Cornwall (Website)
Providing support for patients, families and carers to ensure no-one feels alone when facing the effects of a brain tumour diagnosis.
Day: Second Tuesday of the month
Time: 11:30 – 13:00
Location: The Liskerrett Community Centre (Varley Lane, Liskeard, PL14 4AP) or Cornwall Rural Community Council Rooms (2 Princes Street, Truro, TR1 2ES)
Contact: David Haq/Support Team
Mobile: 07711 597165
Email: david@braintumoursupport.co.uk
Brain Tumour Support – Devon (Website)
Providing support for patients, families and carers to ensure no-one feels alone when facing the effects of a brain tumour diagnosis.
Day: First Friday of the month
Time: 13:30 – 15:30
Location: FORCE Cancer Charity (Corner House, Barrack Road, Exeter, EX2 5DW)
Contact: David haq/Support Team
Mobile: 07711 597165
Email: david@braintumoursupport.co.uk
Brain Tumour Support - Plymouth (Website)
Providing support for patients, families and carers to ensure no-one feels alone when facing the effects of a brain tumour diagnosis.
Day: Last Friday of every second month
Time: 11:00 – 12:30
Location: Sherwell Unity Church (North Hill, Plymouth, PL4 8ER)
Contact: David Haq/Support Team
Mobile: 07711 597165
Email: david@braintumoursupport.co.uk
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Plymouth Area cancer Support Network
Please visit the Plymouth Area Cancer Support website for a comprehensive list of local and national cancer support groups available to patients, carers and families.
https://plymouthcancersupport.com/
Cancer Services: Bladder Cancer Support Group
Run by patients for the benefit of patients and partners/carers. Input from Health Care Professionals such as Nurse Specialists, Urologists, Stoma Nurses and Mustard Tree staff
Day: Bi-monthly
Contact: If interested in attending please contact Vanessa on 01752 431534with the following details (Name, Preferred Contact Number and Email).
Cancer Services: Bosom Pals Breast Social Group
Bosom Pals is a self-help support group for anyone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Day: Fourth Wednesday of every month
Time: 19:00 onwards
Location: Fort Stamford Health & Social Club
Contact: Kim Baldry
Tel: 07799 675864
Email: bosompalsplymouth@gmail.com
Cancer Services: Chestnut Appeal (Plymouth Prostate Support Group) - (website)
The Chestnut Appeal for Prostate Cancer was founded in 1999 at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Since then it has gone on to be at the forefront of prostate cancer care right across the region. The group support the very latest in treatments and technology that wouldn’t be available without community fundraising and donations from the public.
Day: Last Thursday of the month
Time: 18:00—19:30
Location: The Green Taverners at Plymouth Argyle Football Club
Contact: Lesley-Ann
Tel: 01752 792736
Email: chestnut.appeal@nhs.net
Cancer Services: Cornwall Bowel Cancer Support Group (website)
This is an online support group covering Cornwall and a handful of members from various other places that may not have the support in their area. Patients are able to share their experiences with other members of the group (Facebook closed page).
Day: Seasonal – online on bowel cancer site
Contact: Claire Ferris & Candy Coombe
Tel: 01872 252693
Cancer Services: Melanoma Support Group
Day: To Be Confirmed - 3 times a year
Time: To Be Confirmed
Location: Mustard Tree
Closed group on Facebook: Plymouth Melanoma Group
Contact: Angela
Tel: 01579 340449
Email: angelasoady@yahoo.co.uk
Cancer Services: Myeloma Support Group (www.myeloma.org.uk)
Day: Last Friday of every month
Time: 14:00 – 15:30
Location: Derriford Centre for Health & Wellbeing
Contacts: Sue Hurley (07974 343928 or suehurley7@outlook.com)
Lindsey Stewart (07968 416234 or lyndseystewart@clara.co.uk)
Caroline Allen (07800 789715 or carolallen@aol.com)
Cancer Services: NET Natter (Neuroendocrine Tumours Support Group)
Day: To be arranged
Location: Mustard Tree Macmillan Cancer Support Centre, Derriford Hospital
Contact 01752 430060 nikie@netpatientfoundation.org
Lesley: 07854 429630 lesley.porch@hotmail.com
Cancer Services: Plymouth & District Bowel Cancer Support Group
Meetings arranged in the different areas covered by the groups. Facebook: “Bowel Cancer Plymouth” – Closed group.
Contact: Wendy or Keith
Tel: 07934 922156
Email: plymdistbcsg@mail.com
Cancer Services: Prostate Cancer Support Group (website)
Day: To Be Confirmed
Time: To Be Confirmed
Location: To Be Confirmed
Contact: Anna Wilson
Tel: 01752 431535
Email: annawilson3@nhs.net
Cancer Services: Sarcoma Focus Group
Day: To Be Confirmed (twice a year)
Time: To Be Confirmed
Location: Mustard Tree Macmillan Centre and the Knowledge Spa Royal Cornwall
Contact: Liz Ridgway (Clinical Nurse Specialist)
Tel: 01752 763674
Email: liz.ridgeway@nhs.net
Cancer Services: South West Mesothelioma Group (www.mesothelioma.uk.com/)
Day: To Be Confirmed (generally held once a month)
Time: To Be Confirmed
Location: Mustard Tree Macmillan Centre
Contact: Sarah Earl (Clinical Nurse Specialist)
Tel: 01752 763665
Email: plh-tr.mesothelioma.nurses@nhs.net
Cancer Services: Staying Abreast
A new support group for Secondary Breast Cancer Patients, partners, carers and supporters.
Day: unspecified – meeting every 3 months
Time: Unspecified
Location: Country House setting
Contact: Kate Lansdell or Michelle – 01752 431526
Email: stayingabreast@talktalk.net
Cancer Services: Upper GI Cancer Support Group
Day: Last Friday of each month (except June and December)
Time: 13:00 – 15:00
Location: Force Cancer Centre (Corner House, Barrack Road, Exeter, EX2 5DW)
Contact: Alan Willson – 01626 891621
Email: alan@willson.com
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Learning Disabilities: Derriford User Group (website)
This group help to shape, influence and improve services for people with a Learning Disability. Meeting every two months.
Contact: Kate Bamforth or Saoirse Read (Learning Disability Team)
Tel: 01752 431566
Email: plh-tr.learningdisabilityhospitalteam@nhs.net
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Miscellaneous: Routeways (www.routeways.org.uk/)
A local charity that supports children, young people, families and individuals to overcome disadvantage.
Tel: 01752 300700
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Pituitary
SUPPORT HELPLINE - 0117 370 1320
The Pituitary Foundation is a national support and information organisation for pituitary patients, their families, friends and carers providing support to people affected by disorders of the pituitary gland such as acromegaly, Cushing's, prolactinoma, diabetes insipidus and hypopituitarism.
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Respiratory: Plymouth Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group (Supported by: Action Pulmonary Fibrosis)
Open to all patients, relatives and friends. Please pop along for a coffee and a chat. Invited speakers attend the meetings and it allows to opportunity to talk to others about living with the condition. Meetings are held bi monthly, January, March, May, July, September, November on the fourth Thursday of the month (13.30 – 15.00). Free Parking is available at the venue.
Location: The Annexe, Improving Lives Plymouth (156 Mannamead Road, Plymouth, PL3 5QL)
Contact: Caroline Page
Tel: 07970883354
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Sexual Health: The Eddystone Trust (website)
Working to challenge the stigma, discrimination and misinformation associated with HIV and sexual health, and work tirelessly with people affected by HIV to improve their quality of life.
Contact: Maureen Bromage (Service User Involvement)
Email: maureen@eddystone.org.uk
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