Community support

We know that having a support network can make a significant difference to how you feel you can cope with a diagnosis. All of our community-style support services listed on this page have been created with you in mind, and we hope they will bring you practical and emotional support. 

If you have questions or want to know about any of our offerings in more detail, please give us a phone on 01224 859222 or email wellbeing@friendsofanchor.org 

Wellbeing Workshops

Hair loss support service

Patient choir

Join our patient choir to find your voice and boost your confidence.

Whether you’ve sung on stage or only ever sung in the shower, patients are warmly invited to take part in our singing sessions for all levels.

Classes are on Thursdays from 6pm-7.30pm at Get Active @ Westburn Park, and are led by Laura Pike. 

This free weekly choir will take place in eight to 10 week blocks across the year, and patients are warmly invited to join us. Please get in touch for information on the next choir intake date.

Hair loss support service

Music + Movement

Get your body moving and enjoy the science-backed benefits of music and movement. 

Our mood-boosting, stress-reducing movement classes are held in Get Active at Westburn Park. 

These are suitable for patients of all physical and fitness abilities and are led by dance instructor Laura Booth. 

This free weekly class takes place in eight to 10 week blocks across the year. Please get in touch for information on the next class schedule.

Hair loss support service

Mindfulness

Why not try mindfulness, with our course that's designed to help you deal with difficult emotions, and improve your sleep quality too! 

Open to patients past and present, this is an eight-week, fully online course. The next block begins on Wednesday, August 20. 

Guided by our accredited tutor Louise Martin, the weekly classes are held on Zoom so you can take part from the comfort and privacy of home. Once you’ve graduated from the course, you’ll also be invited to our in-person mindfulness deep dive at one of our wellbeing retreat days.

Hair loss support service
Current and former ANCHOR patients are warmly invited to attend, and can bring a guest too.

Wellbeing retreat days

Our retreat days offer a chance to meet our wellbeing team and fellow patients in a friendly, informal setting, while finding out about the complementary therapies and services we have available for you.  

Attendees can try out some of the wellbeing services we offer, such as massage and mini manicures at our pop-up nail bar on the day. Our on-the-day programme also includes a mindfulness taster session, deep relaxation, music and movement, and a delicious lunch to be enjoyed with fellow guests. 

Our remaining retreats for 2026 will be held at our usual location of King's Church (the old AECC) in Aberdeen. Our next retreat is on Saturday August 30 and you can book using the button below. After that, our final retreat of this year is on Saturday November 1. 

Support Groups

Find the group that’s most relevant for you and get in touch to arrange a visit. A warm welcome awaits.
 
Name
Day
Frequency
Time
Organisation
Contact info
Young Womens Support Group
Monday
Monthly
10-11.30am
Maggies
Friends of ANCHOR patient community
Daily peer support
Friends of ANCHOR
Tap here to join
Can be OK
Monday
Weekly
Evenings
Can be OK
Search 'Can be OK' on Facebook to join the private group
CLAN Aberdeen Walking Group
Monday
Monthly
10.30am-11.30am
CLAN Haven
Move More Walking Group
Tuesday
Weekly
10-11:30am
Maggies
Breast Reconstruction Support
Tuesday
Monthly
11am-1pm
CLAN House
Breast Reconstruction Support
Tuesday
Monthly
2-4pm
Maggies
Myeloma Group
Tuesday
Monthly
2-4pm
CLAN House
Buckie  & District Cancer Support Group (for anyone affected by cancer)
Wednesday
Monthly
7pm
Burnside Court, Buckie
Breast Cancer Group
Wednesday
Monthly
2-3:30pm
Maggies
Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Group
Wednesday
Monthly
2-3:30pm
Maggies
Health & Wellbeing Exercise Group
Wednesday
Weekly
2pm-3pm
CLAN Haven
Health & Wellbeing Exercise Group
Wednesday
Fortnightly
5.30pm-6.30pm
CLAN Haven
Gynaecology Cancer Group
Thursday
Monthly
2-3:30pm
Maggies
Lung Cancer Group
Thursday
Monthly
2-3:30pm
Maggies
Prostate Cancer Group
Thursday
Monthly
2-3:30pm
Maggies
Keith Cancer Links Support Group (for anyone affected by cancer)
Thursday
Monthly
7:30-9pm
Resource Centre, Midstreet. Keith
keithcancerlinksupport.org.uk
07969 957680
* On hold until 2022 Please reach for phone support until support group resumes
Head + Neck Cancer Group
Friday
Monthly
10-11:30am
Maggies
Sarcoma Patient Support
Days vary
Monthly
6.30pm-7.30pm
CLAN Haven