Local group

For what it's worth, I wouldn't recommend meeting complete strangers without getting to know them first online. There are some very dodgy people out there. 
Better to find some folk you like on here, connect and get chatting in the messages first. Oh, and if you do decide to meet, tell somebody where you are going and who you are seeing.
Sad to say, but you can't be too careful these days.

Thank you barbaral for your reply and advice. I would only choose to connect with people who are part of the Macmillan Online Community. As you said, the first step would be for me to hear from others who are living in my local area. I am a regular zoom user, so I intend to “meet” them on zoom to get to know them well first before deciding if I want to take it further. Thanks again for your advice.

Hi there,

It’s Megan here from Macmillan’s Online Community team. I hope as members of the Thyroid cancer forum you are finding it helpful to connect with others who have similar cancer experiences. 

I saw this discussion thread and thought I’d just provide a friendly reminder about online safety when it comes to arranging meet-ups on the Community. It’s natural to want to find support in the ways that feel right for you, however, it is important to be mindful of online safety as the Online Community is a fully public platform that anyone can access, including people who are not members of the Community.

For this reason, we would need to remove any discussion which discloses information about a planned meet-up. This is in accordance with our Community Guidelines as we kindly ask that no meetings, group chats, events or video calls are organised or promoted within the public groups, and no private details are shared publicly such as addresses or phone numbers.

We completely understand that members might want to have private conversations and connect with each other separately to the public Community forums. There is the option to chat privately by sending private messages on the Online Community with members who have accepted your friend request.

If you need any help sending friend requests and private messages on the site, we have a step by step guide and video tutorials in our Help Pages. Alongside having a one to one chat, you can make a group chat with multiple members by typing in the different usernames in the box at the top of the message.

If you are interested in looking for local support groups, you’re welcome to use the ‘In your area’ search tool on the Macmillan website. You can search your postcode/ location and it will provide details of local support.

We hope this does not deter you from posting in the Thyroid cancer forum and this is only intended as a friendly reminder to protect your online safety. If you have any questions for the Community team about this, please email community@macmillan.org.uk.

I hope you have a good day. 

Hi Megan,

Thank you so much for the reminder outlining the purpose and the guidelines of the Community which I appreciate very much. I have used various tools to look for a local support group specifically for thyroid cancer patients. So far, no luck . 

Hi Lotus Flower, 

I'm sorry to hear you have had some trouble finding local support groups, if you give the Macmillan Support Line a call on freephone 0808 808 00 00 there are specialist teams on hand to help you find support. They are available to help until 8pm this evening (8am to 8pm every day) so please do get in touch today if you can. 

They can look at the support options available and help you find the help you are looking for. If you need any support with using the Online Community, please don't hesitate to email community@macmillan.org.uk. 

Hi Megan,

Thank you for the information. Will try the Macmillan Support Line tomorrow.