Community support

We know that having a support network can make a significant difference to how you feel you can cope with a diagnosis. Our online and in-person services have been created with you in mind, and we hope they will bring you practical and emotional support. 

To find out more about any of the community support listed below, please give us a phone on 01224 859222 or email wellbeing@friendsofanchor.org

You might have seen our 'Confident You' series listed in our Spotlight magazine or on posters in the ANCHOR Unit wards. This series encapsulates three workshops that have all been designed to help boost your confidence and make new friends during or after a cancer diagnosis. 

You'll find information about those three workshops on this page - just keep reading for all the details. 

Hair loss support service

"Taking the time to think and focus on my breathing has definitely helped me feel calmer." - Mindfulness graduate feedback

Try mindfulness

Join us for an eight-week course to help build your confidence by improving self-awareness, resilience and reducing stress. Open to patients past and present. Our next course begins on Wednesday, January 29.

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.

Mindfulness can be a great resource to alleviate feelings of stress or anxiety that can so often accompany a diagnosis. Our course graduated say the sessions helped them deal with difficult emotions, and improved their sleep quality too!

Hair loss support service

Find your voice

Keep an eye on this page for more information on our new offering: Find Your Voice.

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

Watch this space for dates and times for the sessions, which will be held at a city centre location in Aberdeen. 

Hair loss support service

Fancy a dance?

Watch this space for details about our upcoming sessions focused on movement. 

Enjoy the science-backed benefits of music and movement in our mood-boosting, stress-reducing classes for patients of all physical and fitness abilities.

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.  and find out about the complementary therapies and services we offer 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 next retreat is on Saturday February 22 at King's Church, Aberdeen, and booking information will be live on this page soon. 

Guests at a previous Awareness Hour
Some of the breast cancer nurse specialists will attend the event to answer any questions at the information stalls.

Awareness Hours

Our free Awareness Hour talks are open to everyone, whether you're a patient, a family member or simply have an interest in the topic. 

Our next Awareness Hour will focus on prostate and testicular cancer, with a date to be confirmed in March - so please check back for the details! 

At each event, guests are hosted by our wellbeing team in a relaxed, informal setting, and will hear from specialist staff speakers on a specific topic, with information on signs and symptoms, current treatments and support available for those facing a diagnosis.

Watch this space too for our future Awareness Hour in June, on the topic of blood cancers. 

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