It's been over a year since the first session took place in Glasgow, and once again Macmillan's 'Cancer Community Meet-ups' program has been extended. This time, we don't just have new dates... we also have more locations!
Are you near Glasgow, Dundee, Cardiff, Rochester, Bradford, or Birmingham? Do you fancy chatting face-to-face with other people affected by cancer? If so, we're delighted to announce even more opportunities to make new friends.
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 are an opportunity to meet with other people living with cancer from the local area in a relaxed and comfortable space. Hosted by Hollywood Bowl Group, Meet-up attendees will be able to enjoy a free game of bowling and connect with others who may be going through similar experiences to you. You can even bring a friend or family member along with you.
You can contribute in a way that works for you. That might be listening to others, taking time to reflect, sharing your own experiences, frustrations, or indeed anything else – it doesn’t have to be about cancer.
We believe simply being around others who understand what you’re going through can really help and it may be reassuring to meet others with similar thoughts and feelings. We hope you'll find some benefit in these conversations and even being there to listen can be a huge support to others.
Bradford
Taking place at Hollywood Bowl, Unit 5, 5 Vicar Lane, Bradford BD1 4DY every other Wednesday at 11am, starting from 2 October
Birmingham
Taking place at Hollywood Bowl, Broadway Plaza, Ladywood Middleway, Birmingham B16 8EQ every Tuesday at 11:30am, starting from 8 October and excluding 29 October
Rochester
Taking place at Hollywood Bowl, 7 Roman Way, Chariot Way, Rochester ME2 2SS every other Tuesday at 11am, starting from 29 October
Cardiff
Taking place at Hollywood Bowl, The Red Dragon Centre, Hemingway Road, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF10 4JY every other Wednesday at 11:30am, starting from 9 October
Dundee
Taking place at Hollywood Bowl, Eclipse Leisure Park, Douglas Road, Dundee DD4 8JX every Wednesday at 2pm, starting from 23 October
Glasgow Coatbridge
Taking place at Hollywood Bowl, Showcase Leisure Park, Barrbridge Road, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire G69 7TZ every other Tuesday at 6pm, starting from 8 October
What to expect on the day
When arriving at a Meet-up, you will be warmly welcomed by the Meet-up Host (the Hollywood Bowl centre manager) who will show you to the Meet-up and provide a free drink. The events are really informal. There’s no need to register to attend, or to give us any of your details on the day. There are no speeches from Macmillan or anyone else, and no commitments needed from you. Just join us at the start time, enjoy your free game of bowling, stay and chat as long as you want, and leave when you’re ready. The Meet-ups provide:
The Meet-ups provide:
You can find all the details of the event 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.
