Supporting your wellbeing

“Supporting you to take back control and to live well with, and beyond cancer.”
 
Being unwell can have a huge impact on our lives in so many ways, emotionally, physically, and practically. At the Whittington we have developed a wide range of Health and Well-being events and groups for patients, their family, and friends.
 
These are designed to improve your wellbeing and to help you take back control and get on with your life following a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

It is common to feel overwhelmed by different feelings when you are told you have cancer. At the Whittington we want to ensure you do not have to face this alone.
 
For many people family and friends can be their main sources of support. However, it is not always easy to tell people you care about, how you are feeling and sometimes people find it easier to talk to people outside the family, or to other patients who may have similar feelings and experiences.
 
There are sometimes side effects from cancer treatment that impact on your physical wellbeing.
 
We have a range of support groups, workshops and courses offering you practical and emotional help and support. We can support you with:
  • Confidential chat about anything that is worrying you.
  • Access to our support groups, workshops, and courses.
  • Access to benefits advice.
  • Put you in touch with others -peer support groups.
  • Signposting you to the support you need.
 
Please check our Calendar of Events page for upcoming events and sessions. 
 

Support Groups

Chatterbox

 
 

New Diagnosis Session

A one-off online session for all patients newly diagnosed with cancer. The session provides valuable information about the support that is available to you through the Whittington Hospital.

 
This includes the role of your CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist) and information about the support that is available through the pharmacy service, psychological support service, and the Macmillan information support service. 
  • An opportunity to find out more about the clinical services available to you. 
  • Information about support groups, and other ‘self-help’ services to help you manage your condition.
  • Guidance about how you can access advice and information both in the hospital, within your local community and nationally.
This meeting is open to all who are affected by cancer including friends, families, and carers. If you want to book a place or find at more information , please message us.
 
 

Prostate Cancer Support Group

An afternoon session that is held 4 times a year at the Whittington. The session includes a guest speaker, a patient story, neck and shoulder massage and refreshments. If you want to book a place or find at more information , please message us.

Workshops and courses

C Factor

An award-winning course that offers a creative approach to look at a serious topic using storytelling, theatre, and discussion to reflect on the emotional challenges of a cancer diagnosis. This 8-session programme is available to you if have a diagnosis of cancer and are being treated at the Whittington Hospital and have not had 1 to 1 support.
 
Please come and join us to learn about some tools and tips that can help with managing the emotional challenges of living with cancer. 
 
The small group sessions run twice a year and are usually held every 2 weeks at the Whittington Hospital. Please contact traceypalmer@nhs.net  or sue.gibbons4@nhs.net  to book a place or for further information. 
 
Find out more here.  If you want to book a place or find at more information , please message us. 
 

Hope

Hope is for patients who are nearing the end of their cancer treatment or moving to a maintenance treatment programme and struggling to readjust. The Hope course may help. It provides emotional support and self-management techniques and aims to restore confidence.
 
The course comprises of six 2.5-hour sessions held weekly at the Whittington Hospital.
 
Hope can help you:
  • Regain your confidence so you feel more like yourself.
  • Use relaxation techniques for your mind and body.
  • Cope with anger, anxiety, depression, and uncertainty.
  • Handles stressful situations
  •  Plan for your future.
  • Use your potential to make the most of your life.

Patients and family and friends have expressed how valuable this programme has been and the Care Quality Commission recognised this as outstanding practice. A free online Hope course is also available from Macmillan for people who cannot attend in person.

Intimacy workshop for women following a cancer diagnosis.

 Cancer and cancer treatment can affect many areas of sexual well-being both physical and emotional. This workshop offers support to improve your sexual well-being and to manage any problems.

A 1-hour session to support women with a cancer diagnosis which includes a talk on intimacy by Caroline Lovett, Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist. If you want to book a place or find at more information , please message us. 

 

Medically induced menopause following cancer diagnosis

A one-hour workshop delivered by Caroline Lovett, psychosexual and relationship therapist that provides useful information on the impact that some cancer treatments have on our ovaries. This can cause an early menopause for some women. The session includes practical tips to help manage the symptoms. If you want to book a place or find at more information , please message us. 

 

Intimacy workshop for men following a cancer diagnosis.

 Cancer and cancer treatment can affect many areas of sexual well-being both physical and emotional. This workshop offers support to improve your sexual well-being and to manage any problems.

A 1-hour session to support men with a cancer diagnosis which includes a talk on intimacy by Caroline Lovett, Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist. If you want to book a place or find at more information , please message us. 

 

Tree of life workshop

   The workshop is held in 2 two-hour sessions held a week apart. Join the Tree of Life workshop at the Whittington Education Centre on Highgate Hill for a chance to reflect, share your story, and listen to others. If you are a cancer patient, and you have faced hardship, this workshop is a way to remind yourself of your knowledge, skills, hopes and dreams.  If you want to book a place or find at more information , please message us. 

 

Wellbeing Workshops

 A 2-part workshop to teach about self-compassion and how to bring this into our lives. The workshop aims to provide a space to connect with other patients going through the same thing and to develop compassion towards each other. This can enable us to feel calmer and more resilient during challenging times.

Sessions are held from 2-4:30pm on two consecutive Thursdays. Please message us for more information and to sign up.

 

Look Good Feel Better workshop

 We understand how emotionally challenging living with cancer can be. There are wellbeing workshops and classes held virtually and at hospitals and cancer care centres across the UK. These are led by volunteer beauty and health experts to help people feel good, look better and more like themselves again. Find out more here.
 
 

Odyssey

 Odyssey is a charity that runs courses, based mainly in the outdoors, for people with cancer. Using the simulation of uncertainty and surprise, Odyssey takes participants on a five-day journey aimed at combatting the psychological and emotional effects caused by their illness.
 
By supporting people to overcome appropriate challenges (some physical, others creative or artistic) Odyssey helps provide the confidence they may need to re-engage with life. Courses are fully residential and free of charge to the participants.
If you would like more information or to be referred, please send us a message or phone Tracey Palmer 020 7288 5305 or 07881 834433.

 

Cognitive Behaviour therapy (CBT) for cancer patients on hormone therapy

6 week course. CBT course for helping to manage hot flushes and night sweats.

 

Psychological support

Find out more about the Whittington cancer care psychology service on our dedicated webpage or click here to download a leaflet.

 

C Factor

An award-winning course that offers a creative approach to look at a serious topic using storytelling, theatre, and discussion to reflect on the emotional challenges of a cancer diagnosis. This 8-session programme is available to you if have a diagnosis of cancer and are being treated at the Whittington Hospital and have not had 1 to 1 support.
 
Please come and join us to learn about some tools and tips that can help with managing the emotional challenges of living with cancer. 
 
The small group sessions run twice a year and are usually held every 2 weeks at the Whittington Hospital. Please contact traceypalmer@nhs.net  or sue.gibbons4@nhs.net  to book a place or for further information. 
 
Find out more here.

 

Tree of life workshop

   The workshop is held in 2 two-hour sessions held a week apart. Join the Tree of Life workshop at the Whittington Education Centre on Highgate Hill for a chance to reflect, share your story, and listen to others. If you are a cancer patient, and you have faced hardship, this workshop is a way to remind yourself of your knowledge, skills, hopes and dreams.

 

Wellbeing Workshops

 A 2-part workshop to teach about self-compassion and how to bring this into our lives. The workshop aims to provide a space to connect with other patients going through the same thing and to develop compassion towards each other. This can enable us to feel calmer and more resilient during challenging times.

Sessions are held from 2-4:30pm on two consecutive Thursdays. Please message us for more information and to sign up.
 
 

Guided meditation

These sessions are held weekly from 4-5pm on Saturdays. Please follow the instructions below to join the online session:

Copy and paste this link into your internet browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86984186698
Meeting ID: 869 8418 6698
Passcode: 7777 
 
Enter the passcode of 7777 when prompted.  If you have any problems, please email Anna : becomeyoga@outlook.com. The meditation starts at 4pm so please if you can try and join a bit earlier in case there are any technical problems.
 
Although not essential, you will get the most out of the meditation if you make sure within your Zoom, Original Sound is enabled (this is automatically enabled on an iphone)and wear headphones.
 
 

Emotional support from Marie Curie

 
 

The Beauty of Support

The Beauty of Support is a  new Macmillan project supporting black women to talk about cancer. Resources for black women about cancer are also available here.
 

Prehabilitation

Prehabilitation refers to small changes you can make to prepare for cancer treatment.

This includes eating well and being a healthy weight, being physically active, and looking after your  mental wellbeing. Watch these videos to find out more and for some useful guidance.
 
Exercising and keeping fit is another change you can make to prepare for cancer treatment. You can find some exercise resources in the 'exercise and cancer' tab below.

Exercise and cancer

Exercise videos

 

Podcasts

Listen to 'Breaking the taboo of physical activity and cancer' from the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

 

Walking Football: Stride on

A walking football and support programme run by Arsenal in the community for men affected by prostate cancer. Sessions take place on Friday evenings at the Arsenal Hub, 56, Benwell Rd, London N7 7BA. Contact rratcliffe@arsenal.co.uk or telephone 07548 107576 for more information.
 

London Sport - online activity finder tool

London Sport have created a new online tool where you can find thousands of low cost and free activities in your local area. Click here to visit their website.
 
 

Maggie's Centres

Maggie's is a network of centres built beside NHS hospitals across the UK to provide professional support for anything from treatment side effects to money worries.
 
Their cancer support specialists have expert knowledge about cancer and treatment. Their centres also have psychologists and benefits advisors who are available for anyone with cancer and those close to them. They also provide exercise groups, yoga, nutrition advice and much more.
 
All their support is free, and no appointment or referral is needed.  There is a Maggie's centre at The Royal Free Hospital.

Benefits advice

Macmillan are here to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can.
 
If you need help with the 'cost of cancer' and are struggling to cope with the impact cancer has on your finances, click here to read what support is available at the Whittington Hospital.

Charities supporting people with cancer

Visit our dedicated page to view a list of organisation and charities that offer an array of support to those living with cancer.

Thank you, Whittington Health Charity

The C Factor and meditation are funded by Whittington Health Charity, who raise money to enhance the quality of care and improve the experiences of patients in our organisation. You can find out more about the charity here.
Last updated09 Jul 2024
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