The Cancer Support Centre

03/06/2026

🌟 It’s Volunteers’ Week! Today, we would like to say a huge Thank You to our team of reception volunteers. When someone comes to the Centre for the first time it is really important they are met with a friendly face! This is where our wonderful Reception Team of volunteers do a fantastic job of meeting, greeting and looking after our clients. They really are an amazing group of people.

They are able to cope with a multitude of things and the many different emotions that come through the door, and we have a structured training programme that they all go through to help them with that.

Here are some of the things that they do:

• Looking after someone who has come in for the first time, showing them around and explaining about everything we are able to do to help and support them.

• Talking to our clients as they arrive for and wait for their appointments.

• Taking registration details for those attending the groups.

• Simply sitting with someone who is upset, ensuring they are ok.

As many of our volunteers have had experience of cancer, either themselves or a loved one, they naturally have an empathy with our clients, and when appropriate are able to share their experiences, observations or encouragements.

Here's what some of our Reception Team Volunteers said about their roles:

Jayne said "Becoming a volunteer enabled me to give something back to those who had supported my loved ones during their time of need."

Sue said "It's a lovely environment for me to be in for a few hours and I enjoy mixing with the lovely staff and meeting clients with a smile."

Louise said “I volunteer 1 day per week which I look forward to every week. A friendly and helpful face can ease what is often a difficult time for themselves and loved ones.”

Julie said “I love my role as a volunteer. Just seeing people’s smiles and them knowing they are not alone, makes my day a much happier one.”

The Reception Team are so important as the first face of the Centre and we are so lucky to have them. A big thank you to all of them.

If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering with us, please get in touch - we would be delighted to hear from you!

03/06/2026

This Volunteers' Week we want to say thank you to our Trustee Team. The Trustees oversee the strategic management of the charity, share their skills and experience, and contribute to our fundraising goals. It is a challenging role at the best of times, but very rewarding.

Meet our Trustees: Trevor (Chair), David, Roy, Shaun, Dorothy, Lochie, Simon, Vicki, Jo, plus our Secretary and Treasurer, Chris.

If you would be interested in becoming a trustee, please get in touch for some more information. We’d particularly like to hear from anyone that has finance or marketing experience.

Some of our Trustees have shared their reasons for volunteering:

Trevor - "I wanted to be able to give something back to the community and also ensure that I remained active and engaged with a local organisation, so looked for a charity opportunity in Sutton Coldfield. The one that appealed the most to me was the Cancer Support Centre so applied for a trustee position.

My experience in business management at director level gives me a good insight into the needs of any organisation, whether commercial or Not For Profit, and to me it is essential that we are able to provide a clear structure and plan for the organisation."

Shaun - "I'm extremely proud to be a Trustee and support The Cancer Support Centre in any way I can. I’ve lost both of my parents to cancer, most recently in 2020, and I feel there has never been a greater need for people affected by cancer to have access to a wide and varied range of support.

I have many years of experience leading brand development for private companies and I truly hope these skills will enhance the overall experience we deliver to our clients on a daily basis."

Vicki - “Out of the blue my world changed and I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately for me it was caught early so after surgery and radiotherapy I was physically fine! The important word there is physically, I was so strong throughout the medical treatment and once this was over I fell apart.

I went over the centre and left feeling lighter and brighter than I had since my diagnosis.

I want to make sure this amazing charity is able to offer the support I had received to others in my position.”

02/06/2026

🌟 It’s Volunteers’ Week! We are incredibly lucky to have a fabulous team of volunteers here at the Centre, we are always very grateful to everyone who gives their time to support us.

Whether it’s welcoming people on reception, helping out at events, supporting fundraising or offering behind-the-scenes support such as admin or gardening – our volunteers make all the difference. We genuinely couldn’t do it without them.

Would you like to become one of them?

There are lots of ways to get involved – and volunteering isn’t just good for us, it’s good for you too.

Here are some of the benefits of volunteering:

▸ Mental Health - Helping others boosts happiness and provides a sense of purpose.

▸ Confidence - If your confidence has been knocked – maybe due to illness or time away from work – volunteering can help you build it back, at your own pace.

▸ Community - volunteering can connect you to your community and can also help you create new friendships.

As one of our amazing volunteers, Jayne, says:
"I feel useful and valued. I have met and made some lovely friends, both clients and volunteers."

Wondering what you might do? Here are the answers to our top 3 volunteering questions:

▸ What would you want me to do? - Almost anything you can offer! Admin, fundraising, baking, gardening, selling on eBay – we’ll find a good use for your skills.

▸ How much time do you need from me? - That’s up to you. Some people help every week, others we call on for occasional events. There’s no big time commitment.

▸ Why do people choose to volunteer with you? - Some have used our services and want to give back. Others simply want to feel useful, connect with their community or support a cause that matters to them.

If you’d like some more information, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

02/06/2026

Nutrition Workshop - Food labels & navigating the supermarket.

This month, Meg will explain how to read and understand food labels and food marketing, and how to navigate the supermarket today.

Come and join Meg to explore more on this topic. Meg is our Registered Associate Nutritionist. She helps and supports people to improve their nutrition and overall diet through education, coaching, and behaviour change.

🗓️ Date: Thursday 11th June

🕙 Time: 10:00 am

📍 Location: Cancer Support Centre, Sutton Coldfield

💰 Cost: No charge, but donations are very welcome to support our services, our card machine will be available! 😉

No need to book, just turn up.

The July workshop will be on Thursday 16th July and will cover managing cholesterol.

💬 Here’s some feedback that we’ve had about the workshops:

‘I have attended lots of these workshops. Always beneficial and I learn something new every time! Thank you.’

‘I found that I learn lots each time, fabulous information! Thank you.’

‘I have been to a couple of sessions now. I have found them very informative and it is always nice to share ideas with others in the group.’

Thank you so much to Sutton Coldfield Neighbourhood Network Scheme for funding these workshops.

01/06/2026

We are so lucky to have local businesses who support us at The Cancer Support Centre ❤️ It makes such a big difference as we get no funding from NHS or government. Make sure you go along and support them (and us) 👏
Thank you Renato Lounge mere green

Loungeaid 2026!🫶🏼

Every June we run lounge aid, our annual month of fundraising. This year we are proud to support the cancer support centre and raise as much as we can to help people in Sutton Coldfield struggling!!

Our Events

Fun run🏃‍♂️ | Sunday 31st May |

Bake sale🧁 | Friday 19th June from 9am |

Climbing Snowdon🗻| Wednesday 24th June |

As well as this, we have got quizzes and music nights which will also go towards this charity, just keep an eye out!

You can help donate with our just giving page:
www.justgiving.com/page/renatolounge

01/06/2026

This is the start of Volunteers’ Week. 2026 marks the 42nd year of Volunteers’ Week , when we will join thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the contribution volunteers make across the UK. We want to express our very grateful thanks to our team of volunteers - and to encourage more people to volunteer!

The contribution of volunteers is often visible only through the incredible impact of their volunteering, this week we want to take the time to celebrate the efforts of all our volunteers.

We are fortunate to have a fabulous team of volunteers here at the Centre, one of our volunteers, Jayne, said "I feel useful and valued. I have met and made some lovely friends, both clients and volunteers."

If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering with us, please get in touch - we would be delighted to hear from you!

31/05/2026

Great morning at the Royal Sutton Fun Run watching the many folk running and walking to raise funds for us. Here are a few initial pictures to whet your appetite.....

31/05/2026

These are the groups that are happening this week. They are for anyone who has been affected by cancer, please have a look through the list and see if there is one that would suit you.

Monday - our friendly walking group have a walk in Sutton Park every Monday morning, they meet at 10.30am outside Blackroot Bistro The walk is led by Vicky and John, who will always warmly welcome any new members. The walk is suitable for all fitness levels.

Monday - Mindfulness Through Music. Join Will from quietnote to experience a mindfulness through music session. This workshop will see participants working with mindfulness, calming music and meditations guided using live music. A perfect way to understand mindfulness, relaxation and practical tips to help with your health journey.

Tuesday - Yoga group at 12 noon, join Maria for some gentle exercise. Pre-booking is essential as spaces are limited. We ask for an £8 donation per class.

Tuesday - All Crafts Together. 10:30am - 1:00pm, bring your own craft with you, enjoy a drink and a chat. - We welcome new friends to join us and learn new skills or exchange skills with others.

Wednesday - Tripudio Refresh at 11:45am. Once you have learned the movements come along regularly and enjoy a session with others. (Please contact us to book a place.)

Thursday - Care Givers' Support Group. This group is for anyone caring for a loved one that has cancer. Please don't feel that you have to manage alone, the more support you have, the better you can care for someone else. This is an opportunity to be with people who really understand and who can answer your questions. You can share as much or as little information about your circumstances as you are comfortable with.

Thursday - Relaxation. Join our experienced therapist, Roy, at 7.30pm for a relaxation session via Zoom.

Friday - our relaxed art group, led by Debbie, will be meeting. We really mean it when we say that all abilities are welcome! Art group is 10.00am - 12.30pm.

Saturday - Reiki Distant Healing. Every Saturday morning between 10.30am and 10.45am our Reiki therapists send distant healing to everyone involved with the Centre. If you would like to receive this for yourself, family or friends then please send just your name via the ‘Contact-Us’ page on our website: http://www.suttoncancersupport.org/contact-us/ Toni & The Reiki Therapists will then send you Reiki Distant Healing each Saturday between the set times. If you yourself have Reiki qualifications then please feel welcome to join in the Distant Healing with us.

If you would like any more information about any of these groups, or the support and therapies that we offer, please send us a direct message, email us ([email protected]) or give us a call on 0300 330 2120 (on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday).

30/05/2026

Supporting Your Body During and After Cancer 💙

Cancer and its treatments can place huge demands on the body, affecting energy levels, movement, sleep, pain and overall wellbeing.

Our new blog covers some of the ways your physical wellbeing can be supported:

→ Gentle movement and rehabilitation
→ Complementary therapies
→ Prehabilitation and rehabilitation
→ Managing pain and scar tissue

At The Cancer Support Centre, everything we do is guided by our Four Pillars of Support: Mind • Body • Spirit • Community.

Whether you are newly diagnosed, having treatment, recovering afterwards, or supporting a loved one, you don’t have to face it alone. 💙

Read the blog here: https://suttoncancersupport.org/body-looking-after-your-physical-wellbeing/

29/05/2026

Here's our list of monthly groups and activities for June. All of them will be happy to welcome new members.

1st and 15th June - Mindfulness Through Music. Join Will from quietnote to experience a mindfulness through music session. This workshop will see participants working with mindfulness, calming music and meditations guided using live music. A perfect way to understand mindfulness, relaxation and practical tips to help with your health journey.

4th and 18th June - Bra fitting. Not really a group as you have a 121 with Alison. This is for ladies that have had surgery for breast cancer. Our experienced bra fitter will make sure you have a bra that is comfortable and that you can wear with confidence. Individual appointments are made, with plenty of time allowed.

4th June - Care Givers' Support Group. This group is for anyone caring for a loved one that has cancer. Please don't feel that you have to manage alone, the more support you have, the better you can care for someone else. This is an opportunity to be with people who really understand and who can answer your questions. You can share as much or as little information about your circumstances as you are comfortable with.

9th June, 4pm - 6pm - Colorectal Support Group. This group is run by nurses from Good Hope Hospital and offers a relaxed and friendly environment to talk to the nurses and to other cancer patients. All colorectal cancer patients and carers, whether you are living with or recovering from cancer, are very welcome. You do not have to be a client of the Cancer Support Centre to attend this group.

11th June - Nutrition Workshop. This month, Meg will explain how to read and understand food labels and food marketing, and how to navigate the supermarket today. Meg is our Registered Associate Nutritionist. She helps and supports people to improve their nutrition and overall diet through education, coaching, and behaviour change.

22nd June - Moving Forward. Whether it’s going back to work or moving in a new direction, this group will give you the self-help skills and techniques to move forward. Led by experienced therapist Roy, the group will use a mix of self-help techniques.

23rd June - Talk and Support Group. For ladies who have had a cancer diagnosis. It is a warm and friendly group where ladies can speak freely, share experiences, gain support from others and make friends.

24th June - Prostate Cancer Support Group meeting. Anyone is welcome to attend the group, including family and friends of men affected by prostate cancer.

Please get in touch if you would like any more information about any of these groups, or if you would like to attend.