2024 has been an emotional rollercoaster for many of our SE Wales group so on Monday 16th December from 2-4pm, this December's meeting will be more of a social occassion with  Afternoon Tea atThe Ivor Arms, 18a Cowbridge Rd, Brynsadler,Pontyclun CF72 9B.  Please let Carys know asap if you wish to attend. Carys, Mags and Colette look forward to seeing you there!

Hello all,

Just to let you know we will be posting updates and information for 2025 shortly.

Watch this space!

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

16th December ; (Xmas nibbles), 13^th Jan , 17^th Feb , 10^th March , 7^th April , 12^th May , 9^th June , 14th July , NO MEETING IN AUGUST, 8^th Sept , 13^th Oct , 10^th Nov , 8^th Dec

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

13th December 17th January 25 face to face in Queens Hall Narberth, 14th February, 7th March, 4th April, 9th May, 6th June, 11th July, NO MEETING IN AUGUST, 5th September, 10th October, 7th November, 5th December

All Wales on-line drop in:

Thursday 30th January ; more info shortly.

• Q&A session with some of our secondary breast cancer nurses on-line on Tuesday 22nd October from 6 - 7.30pm. This is the chance for you to ask questions about your diagnosis, treatment, medication or anything else you have concerns about at this on-line evening session. Last year's event was such a success and we look forward to bringing this to you again.  Questions will be submitted in advance so our SCNS's can ensure you have as much information as possible and an email will be sent to all of you in September.

We are delighted to introduce our NEW 'In this 2gether' ALL WALES on-line drop-in service.

Aimed for those who are working, or  unable to make our usual sessions, this will be a bi-monthly service between 7-8pm on a Monday evening for anyone who wishes to connect with others living with secondary breast cancerin Wales.  Facilitated by Carys and Andi, dates are as follows:

Monday 1st July, 9th September and 11th November, from 7-8pm.

We look forward to seeing you there!

• If researching information with a preference outside the recommended NHS sites, "Google scholar" is particularly recommended.
• youtube - search for Mark Taubert's videos
• Information on advanced and future care planning: www.wales.nhs.uk/afcp   and
• http://talkcpr.wales/
• " Talk CPR" on youtube
• Written by Mark Taubert in 2016, this interesting thank you letter to David Bowie reflects on the power of music, lyrics and how instigating conversation around the most difficult subjects can be all the richer for having them.  https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/dr-mark-taubert/david-bowie-thank-you-letter_b_9007800.html

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)

We're thrilled to be working with Tenovus who have developed a free one-to-one counselling service for patients diagnosed with any cancer  across Wales. Up to 6 sessions are available on-line or by phone and there is no waiting list. Please email me if you wish me to send you referral forms! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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