Winchester and Eastleigh Cancer Club is a warm and welcoming group run by survivors for survivors of any type of cancer. It is a safe space where people can come together to talk about their experiences, share information, and support each other. The photo above is our latest group photo taken at our Christmas dinner, 2024.
Many people wrongly think we are part of Wessex Cancer Support. We are independent and have all our Eastleigh meetings at their centre in Chandlers Ford and donate 50% of our collection.
The volunteers who help run this group are all busy people with their own lives, so they are unable to run errands, give lifts, or accompany members to appointments. However, they are always happy to offer support and advice, and they can help members to access other resources in the community.
Here are some specific ways that the group can support members:
- Providing a listening ear and emotional support in meetings or on WhatsApp
- Sharing information about treatments, medication, and side effects
- Connecting members with other resources in the community
- Organising social events and activities where members can connect with each other and have fun
If you are a survivor of cancer, we encourage you to reach out to us. The members are a wonderful group of people who can offer you the support and friendship you need during this difficult time.
Our history
Originally the group was called Winchester and District Living with Breast Cancer Group. It was founded by one of its surviving members, Anita Clark, who had lymphodema following a conversation with Ginny Straker a former breast care nurse at The Royal Hampshire County Hospital. Ginny mentioned to Anita whether she would consider starting a group for those living with Breast Cancer in the area. A local vicar from Christ Church at the time, Eddie Shirras, kindly offered that the group could meet at the church for free! Ginny organised the first Breast Cancer Support meeting on the 3rd Dec 1987 and it is still running after 37 years!
Our Group Now
This group has now evolved into Winchester and Eastleigh Cancer Support group and we have 3 wonderful volunteer survivors who help run this group. Jackie, Mary and Linda are ‘old timers’ to the group. Although they lead busy lives, they love ‘being there’ for survivors, both old and new! They all help to administer our chats on Whatsapp.
Jackie Evans is responsible for our group finance, running events like our annual Christmas dinner and arranging speakers. Jackie also volunteers as secretary & finance for Cancer Services Partnership) so our group gets useful, relevant and latest updates on services and changes in Cancer care. In her spare time, Jackie is very creative and produces beautiful personalised gifts.
Mary Morton has been running our group meetings in Winchester for the third year now and we’re very grateful as she’s not local to Winchester. Mary is calm, soft spoken and is a wonderful listener which makes her perfect for dealing with new enquiries. In her spare time, Mary enjoys going out and we call her our expert cafe guide!
Linda Bett helps maintain the website and helps with running events. She works full-time in the family Christmas lighting business and grows weird and wonderful crops on her allotment!
