• We are delighted to be working with Sandville Self Help Foundation https://www.sandville.org.uk/ who are based in Cwm Taff, near Bridgend. This is the most tranquil place with incredible volunteers and staff, and Wednesday is their designated day for any one with a cancer diagnosis. Relaxation classes,  an outdoor sensory garden, a welcoming lounge and coffee bar are just some of the tempatations on offer,  and our new 'In this 2gether' group will be starting on the third Wednesday of every month from November 19th, from 2-4pm. Sandville will have their own booking and assessment system and Colette will be working with Carys to launch this service before Carys takes over into 2026. More information on how to access Sandville will be available next month.
• We will be welcoming a new Counsellor and Therapist Cerys to the team, who has extensive experience working with Tenovus and the NHS. She and Colette will be working together in 2025/26 whilst venue changes take place for a more centrally accessible meeting place for our SE Wales group, which Cerys will eventually be running. 
• We've taken feedback on board and will be re-introducing our client safety contract which was originally put together with your input, and we'd really like you to participate in any changes to it you think would be helpful within the group structure. Groups can be tricky places and we all bring our own unique personalities, so it's a great opportunity for you to contribute, as well as for us to explain why certain processes need to be in place. Carys, Cerys and I will be discussing this with you at your meetings going forward and welcome feedback as always.

Dates for 2025 meetings are as follows:

S E Wales; CARDIFF Group, meeting at The Snowdrop Centre. near the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Mondays from 2 - 4pm

10^th Nov , 8^th Dec

WEST WALES; Fridays on-line from 11am - 1pm

7th November, 5th December

Links to other charity’s will be on the Padlet which is coming soon. In the meantime please see below :

Cancer Aid Merthyr

Rowan Tree Cancer Care

Bill Cap - WaterSure Wales tariff | Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (dwrcymru.com)

Short Breaks | 4 Cancer | Days out for families affected by cancer

Last minute – Something To Look Forward (somethingtolookforwardto.org.uk)

https://www.4cancer.org/about-us

Cancer Charity | Jill's Fundraising Journey | England (jillsfundraisingjourney.co.uk)

Group meetings can be a bit like pic n' mix......our personalities whilst all lovely, are also flawed, purely because we're all human beings! We each have good parts and not so good parts, bringing them all together in a room or on a screen can create an eclectic mix, that can be may things, exciting, uplifting, energising, irritating or frustrating, depending on how we feel on a particular day. Our group meetings need to feel safe and protected and for that to happen it's important to establish some housekeeping boundaries, so we can all relate to each other in a respectful way. The following has been put together by group members over the years, and reflects their needs and experiences, it's a kind of group contract. This can be added to as you see fit, it's a moveable feast.  Also as practising  therapists, group facilitators have to abide by the BACP ethical code of conduct, and whilst that might sound a little off putting, it's there to help  keep you  safe and anchored. (bacp.co.uk)

Why the group is there:

• To provide a safe therapeutic space for those with metastatic breast cancer to discuss how their condition is affecting them
• To speak freely and respectfully about personal thoughts and feelings
• To share and receive information
• To offer and receive support from each other
• To connect with those who share a similar experience
• To feel less isolated
• To be seen, heard and understood
• To have a voice; to feel empowered.

Group agreement & group dynamics; our safety contract

• Confidentiality & privacy - especially with video meetings; what’s said in the group stays in the group
• Sharing – being mindful of what you share, taking responsibility for your observations and how they may be interpreted and having an enquiring mind about other opinions that may differ to yours.
• Being supportive of each other and each person’s unique experience
• Being respectful of each other’s thoughts & feelings
• Giving space to everyone who wishes to speak & offering each other the chance to be heard
• Being mindful that not everyone may wish to speak but prefer to listen
• Giving yourself and each other permission to share your vulnerabilities in the knowledge this should feel a safe place to do so
• Trying to be honest and open about how you feel in a respectful manner
• Trying not to be judgmental; every experience needs validating and may differ to yours
• Knowing that crying or releasing emotion is OK; that it’s OK not to be OK! Triggers can be unexpected

Our safety contract; our responsibility to you as facilitators & therapists

• To offer structure - A beginning, middle & end
• To create boundaries - Time, Content, Safety, holding emotion, managing the group content
• Containment: Ebb & flow, light and shade, balance
• Psychological education: Introducing you to the potential for change through conversation, exploration and information
• Self disclosure: When appropriate and only if it’s in your best interests
• Risk: To act on and/or determine whether any disclosures may indicate a possible risk of harm to oneself or others, and to offer appropriate support, both during the group meeting and if necessary afterwards. This may also include sharing information with a GP or health care professional

 I hope the above makes sense. Please email me if you have any questions

Medical Access Cards - 'Loo cards' are available via Macmillan for you to present in shops and restaurants should you need a comfort stop. Mags has ordered these to distribute; please contact her via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like one sent to you.

Travel Insurance has always been an issue with over inflated prices. Our members have kindly shared the following companies:

Information updates will be put on this link regularly, so please check before emailing  should you have any queries.

Zoom codes will still be sent seperately a couple of days before your meeting.

Emails for Carys concerning the S &W Wales groups to be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Emails for Mags concerning any support/information/queries about Macmillan to be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We look forward to seeing you soon!