As early autumn and winter approach, we're delighted to announce a fresh round of face-to-face meet-ups in more cities than ever. If you're near any of the following locations, read on:
As always, these in-person events intend to build supportive communities of people local to the areas they're hosted in. To avoid confusing them with our Online Community, we refer to these events as 'Local Cancer Community Meet-ups' in this blog.
If you would like to discuss attending this event with other members of the Online Community, please don't forget that our Community Guidelines still apply. The Private Messaging system is a safer way to discuss specific meet-up plans with friends on the forum. Please see our guide to Private Messages and Friends for more details.
Local Cancer Community Meet-ups provide a relaxed and comfortable space for people with cancer and their loved ones to meet up with other people in their local community who may be going through similar experiences.
The idea behind Meet-ups is simple. Being around others who understand what you’re going through is an incredible source of support. Just knowing you’re not alone can provide reassurance and a sense of belonging. Unlike a more formal support group, Meet-ups have no agenda, no requirement to sign up, and no requirement to speak about cancer or even to speak at all.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, Broadway Plaza, Ladywood Middleway, Birmingham, B16 8EQ. You can find directions to the venue on Google Maps here.
When: Every Tuesday at 11:00am on the following dates:
What to expect: A free game of bowling and light refreshments.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, Aspects Leisure Park, 2 Leisure Road, Longwell Green, Bristol, BS15 9LA. You can find directions to the venue on Google Maps here.
When: Every Wednesday at 12:00 noon on the following dates:
What to expect: A free game of bowling and light refreshments.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, Unit L4, Northern Gateway Leisure Park, Union Way, Mile End, Colchester, Essex, CO4 6AT. You can find directions to the venue on Google Maps here.
When: Every Thursday at 11:30am on the following dates:
What to expect: A free game of bowling and light refreshments.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, Cook Road, Dagenham, East London, RM9 6UQ. You can find directions to the venue on Google Maps here.
When: Every other Wednesday at 11:30am on the following dates:
What to expect: A free game of bowling and light refreshments.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, Springfield Quay, Kinning Park, Glasgow, G5 8NP. You can find directions to the venue on Google Maps here.
When: Re-starting in October:
What to expect: A free game of bowling and light refreshments.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, Washingborough Road, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN4 1EF. You can find directions to the venue on Google Maps here.
When: Every Thursday at 10:30am on the following dates:
What to expect: A free game of bowling and light refreshments.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, Fold Way, Ashton Mass Leisure Park, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 0PG. You can find directions to the venue on Google Maps here.
When: Every other Thursday at 10:00am on the following dates:
What to expect: A free game of bowling and light refreshments.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, Unit 1-9, Animate, Tenterfield Street, Preston, PR1 2BL. You can find directions to the venue on Google Maps here.
When: Every other Wednesday at 11:00am on the following dates:
What to expect: A free game of bowling and light refreshments.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, 9 Medway Valley Leisure Park, Chariot Way, Rochester, ME2 2SS. You can find directions to the venue on Google Maps here.
When: Every other Tuesday at 11:00am on the following dates:
What to expect: A free game of bowling and light refreshments.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, Valley Centertainment, Sheffield Leisure Park, Broughton Lane, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S9 2EP. You can find directions to the venue on Google Maps here.
When: Monthly on Wednesdays at 11:00am on the following dates:
What to expect: A free game of bowling and light refreshments.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, Unit 15 Greenbridge Retail and Leisure Park, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN3 3SQ. You can find directions to the venue on Google Maps here.
When: Every Tuesday at 11:00am on the following dates:
What to expect: A free game of bowling and light refreshments.
Where: Hollywood Bowl Watford Woodside, Woodside Leisure Park, Kingsway North Orbital Road, Watford, WD25 7JZ. You can find directions to the venue on Google Maps here.
When: Second Wednesday of each month at 11am on the following dates:
What to expect: A free game of bowling and light refreshments.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, Westwood Cross Shopping Centre, 19 Margate Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 2BF. You can find directions to the venue on Google Maps here.
When: Every other Thursday at 11:00am on the following dates:
What to expect: A free game of bowling and light refreshments.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, Bentley Bridge Park, Bentley Bridge Way, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, WV11 1BP. You can find directions to the venue on Google Maps here.
When: Every Thursday at 11:00am on the following dates:
What to expect: A free game of bowling and light refreshments.
Simply turn up at the venue at the start time and let a member of staff know you're there. You will be warmly welcomed by the Meet-up Host who will show you to the Meet-up area and provide light refreshments. You’re welcome to bring a friend or family member along with you.
Meet-ups are led by organisations in the local community, in partnership with Macmillan. There will not be Macmillan representation there on the day so if you feel you need additional support from Macmillan, please call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm).
You can find all the details of the event here on Macmillan's main website. This page will always be updated with the latest information, although we will share details here on the Online Community whenever we can.
If you have any questions about how to find the event, what to expect on the day, or anything else related to Local Cancer Community Meet-ups, please get in touch on VolunteerEnquiries@macmillan.org.uk.
Have you attended a Meet-up? We'd love to hear your feedback in this short survey.
