Cancer Support Groups
Support groups local to Ipswich | National support groups (including online)
If you cannot find a support group local to Ipswich to suit a particular diagnosis (e.g. lung cancer, gastro-intestinal cancer, urological cancer), please follow this link to the Cancer Support Groups page for the Colchester Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre or this link to CancerCareMap.
Support groups local to the Ipswich area
These provide the opportunity to chat and share experiences, listen to speakers, have social events and meet new friends who are likely to have shared experiences. Very occasionally the time or date may change, so please check before attending.
Head and Neck Cancer Support Group - Ipswich
A support group for people with a diagnosis of a head and neck cancer will hold meetings from 7:00-8:30pm at Rushmere Bowls Club (136 Rushmere Rd, Ipswich IP4 4JU). Meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of every month.
If you wish to join the group, turn up to the meetings or contact the Ipswich Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre on 01473 715748
The group is run in conjunction with Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Charity.
East of England Asbestos Patient Support Group - Bury St Edmunds
All the meetings can be joined in person or online for anyone living in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. The meetings are held at The Southgate Community Centre, Caie Walk IP33 2PJ at 12:30 on the second Thursday of the month.
Contact: 07852 217560, info@eastofenglandasbestos.co.uk
For further information please see the website for the organisation: www.eastofenglandasbestos.co.uk
Lymphoma/ CLL Support Group - Ipswich
The meetings are held usually on the fourth Thursday of the odd months during the year at: Salvation Army, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich IP4 4PH
For 2026: January 19th 2-4pm, March 26th 2-4pm, May 21st 7-9pm, July 23rd 7-9pm, September 24th 7-9pm, November 26th 2-4pm.
Contact: Nik Gill (Lymphoma Nurse Specialist) 01473 704946
Breast Cancer Support Group - Ipswich
The group is for anyone with primary breast cancer, whether you are recently diagnosed, currently receiving treatment or finished treatment.
The Group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at the Salvation Army Citadel, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich IP4 4PH.
If you wish to join the group, please contact the Ipswich Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre on 01473 715748
A group for people diagnosed with secondary breast cancer is available in Colchester. Further details can be obtained by contacting the Colchester Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre on 01206 745 347, email: esneft.cancerwell-beingcentre@esneft.nhs.uk.
Breast Friends
Breast Friends CIC is a community interest company that connects people affected by breast cancer, whether you are newly diagnosed, currently undergoing treatment and for when treatment has been completed. Based in the Ipswich area, follow this link to discover the range of local events that are available.
Moving Forward with Breast Cancer Now
The charity Breast Cancer Now offers a free “Moving Forward” course for people with a diagnosis of primary breast cancer. A face-to-face version of the “Moving Forward” course runs regularly in the Ipswich area taking place over two half-day sessions. For more information and to register for the course, please follow this link.
On the Moving Forward course you can expect sessions on wellbeing, managing significant change, and you'll have the opportunity to speak with a health care professional to ask any medical-based questions.
Gynaecological Cancer Support: Womens Help Hope - Ipswich
Women’s Health Hope is an organisation open to all who are affected by women’s health conditions - this is not specific to gynaecological cancers alone.
The group has meetings every first Tuesday of the month and they are held at Ipswich Hospital within the Gynaecology Clinic, 1st floor in the maternity building from 6.30pm-8pm.
For further information follow this link to the organisation’s website or facebook page.
Skin Cancer Support Group - Ipswich
The Group meets on the first Tuesday alternative months in Ipswich Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre from 6:30-9:00pm. For more information click this link.
2026 dates: January 6th, March 3rd, May 5th, July 7th, September 1st, November 3rd
The Group has produced a handbook for patients: click the image of the front page to download your copy.
Contact: Rachel Alexander (Clinical Nurse Specialist) on 01473 704717
Contact: Sue Roberts (Chair of Support Group) on 01473 723311 or 07581 778545
Prostate Cancer Support Group - Ipswich
Meets 7pm-9pm on the first Wednesday of every even month of the year. The meetings are held in the Education Centre at Ipswich Hospital.
Partners are welcome to attend all meetings. A video produced by the Support Group can be viewed at this link.
Website: www.eastsuffolkprostatecancersupportgroup.co.uk
Contact: Andrew Cox on 01473 658349, David Shipman on 07932 150729 or Dennis Kell on 07484 327935
Myeloma Support Group - Ipswich
In 2026 the meetings will be held at 12:30-2:00pm on the last Thursday of some months: April 30th, June 25th, September 24th and November 26th. The venue will be at the Salvation Army, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich IP4 4PH.
Contact: Jayne Chappels on 01473 704946, email: Jayne.chappels@esneft.nhs.uk
East Suffolk Ostomy Support Group - Ipswich
Contact: Ian Denison on 07544 978815, Jennie Roche on 01394 284637, Helen Wright on 07941 738630, or contact your local NHS Stoma Nurse.
Cake, Cancer and Coffee Support Group - Stowmarket
First Sunday of every month, 3 - 5pm at Red Gables, Ipswich Road, Stowmarket, IP14 1BE. For people affected by cancer; carers, family and friends to share tips, experience and support.
Third Wednesday of every month, 10am. Coffee mornings at Moments Cafe in Stowmarket. Also, lunches are held every two months.
For the most up-to-date information about meetings and events, please refer to the group’s Facebook page (link) or e-mail: Stowmarket.cancer.chat@gmail.com
Contact: Claire on 07725 843236
Website: www.cakecancerandcoffee.org, www.facebook.com/cakecancerandcoffee
Cake Support Group - Ipswich Chantry
See Suffolk Libraries Website for further information.
Contact: Chantry Library 01473 927275
Cancer Support & Social Group - Ipswich
A support group aimed at anyone affected by cancer - patients, partners, friends or close family members. The Group is a no-pressure social get-together with like-minded people. The group meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 7pm to 9pm at The Golden Hind, 470 Nacton Road, Ipswich IP3 9NF (use the right-hand entrance).
Contact: Kimya on 07743 936253
Cancer Support Group - Leiston
Knit and Natter group - Felixstowe
The Knit and Natter group is run by and for people with a cancer diagnosis and those affected by cancer (knitting is optional). The group meets on Thursdays 10:00 – 12:00 at Trinity Methodist Church, Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7AN. Contact the group for further information using the e-mail address below.
email: knitandchatip11@gmail.com
ICAN Cancer Aid Network - Ipswich
Meets on the first and third Friday of the month from 10am - 12 noon at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Britannia Road, Ipswich, IP4 5HF This group is for everyone affected by cancer including friends and family who support someone with cancer. The group provides social activities, visits and has regular speakers.
Contact: Pat on 01473 689788 or Keith: Telephone 01473 415585
Website: Ipswich Cancer Aid Network ICAN
Teenage and Young People Wellbeing days - Ipswich
Dates to be confirmed, please check for details. The group offers support, information and social activities along with Wellbeing days.
Individual support is also available
Contact: Dan Jolley on 01473 702202 or Julie Finbow on 01473 715748
Sarcoma Support Network (East Anglia)
The group meet on the last Friday of the month between 1pm and 3pm at the BigC, Norfolk & Norwich Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UY.
These meetings are hybrid, with people being able to choose between attending The Big C Centre or joining online via Zoom.
Website: Sarcoma Support Group (East Anglia).
Contact: Tony Grover on 07941 434351 or email: eassn@talktalk.net
Major National Support Groups (including online)
Macmillan links to support groups - National and online forums
This link takes you to a directory of many of the local support groups
website: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/in-your-area/choose-location.html
Macmillan also provide more than 60 online forums for specific types of cancer as part of the Macmillan Online Community. Posts can be viewed without registration. If you wish to make a post in a forum registration is required.
Lymphoma Action national charity - National
This charity has an on-line community forum and closed Facebook groups. There is a buddy system that matches you with a volunteer to offer you support over the phone or by email
Visit: https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/
Tel: 0808 8085555
email: information@lymphoma-action.org.uk
Colorectal Cancer: Support and information (Red Trouser Day)
The Red Trouser Day Patient community is for people with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The charity runs a monthly online Zoom meeting where members listen to an expert guest speaker followed by an open discussion. Follow the link below to find out more about the support, information and events provided by the charity.
Website: https://redtrouserday.com/
Click this link or the image below to find out more about the support, information and events provided by the charity.
Cancer Research UK support resources - National
Cancer Research UK provides information to help people manage the emotional, physical and practical effects of cancer.
Website: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping
On that page, select “Other organisations and resources“ to find links to a wide range of national cancer support organisations.
Cancer Support UK - National
Cancer Support UK provides practical and emotional support to people living with cancer, both during and after the treatment period.
Website: https://www.cancersupportuk.org/
Marie Curie - National
Directory of Services available
Website: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/, use the “Services” dropdown menu
Young Lives vs Cancer
Young Lives vs Cancer (previously known as CLIC Sargent) is the only charity in the UK with specialist social workers who provide tailored support to children and young people with cancer, and their families.