The National Conference of Cancer Self Help Groups was started in 1984 by Tom Brown, who is now one of our patrons. It has produced a hugely successful conference every year since then, with each conference featuring speakers of the highest national and international academic and medical reputation, alongside speakers who are addressing personal issues connected with the cancer journey, and workshops where delegates can experience a range of different approaches to help them to deal with their cancer, ‘feel-good’ workshops and group organisational workshops.

All of this takes place in an atmosphere that is unique to this conference – an atmosphere where the most serious issues can be addressed at the highest professional level, but where down-to-earth, friendly homeliness is the order of the day.

Our purpose is to promote the value of self-help and personal empowerment when a diagnosis of cancer is made. We do this by supporting the work of cancer self-help and support groups throughout the UK,
and specifically by:

1
Organising an annual conference where anyone affected by cancer – be they patient, carer or health care professional – can meet others so affected to share experiences and knowledge in order to develop their capacity to help themselves, and also others who are going through a cancer experience.

2
Developing ways, other than the annual conference, which will promote the further growth and influence of cancer self-help and support groups in the UK.

Trustees
Dr Carl Stonier, Chair
Pat McGrane, Vice Chair
Moira Hillman, Secretary
Calvin Wood, Treasurer
Pamela Awosika

Operational
Prof Julian Gross
Sonia Harding
Comfort Mante
Renold Reid
Barbara Wilson
Ann Cuthbert

Admin
Lesley Thompson
Sue Tyson
Representing Macmillan
Kelly O’Sullivan

Patrons
Prof Karol Sikora
Tom Brown
Francine Stock

Additional support
and consultancy
Joanna Hill
Lyndsey Tackley-Goodman