51É«APP

This was different. When we walked into the centre, it felt like a hug. It’s instant. As soon as you step inside a Maggie's, you just feel welcomed and understood.

Men's support group

From that first walk through the door, it led me to start attending the men’s support group.

The way we guys support each other in the group is truly remarkable. 

Because we all have cancer in common, there are fewer barriers. I noticed that the way we interact with each other is more open.  

British men are typically more closed off, but the men who come to this group are quite the opposite. 

I think it’s so important to have groups like this. Men need a space where they can connect with each other, a space where they can open up with no taboos. 

Sometimes the topics are ones you wouldn’t necessarily want to talk about. For example, the side effects of treatment on sex for men who have had prostate cancer. It’s so empowering to be part of a support group that allows for these kinds of important conversations, both personal and intimate. 

Not everyone in the group has cancer, of course. Some have partners who are going through cancer treatment, and they can join the men’s group on the days that their partner is visiting the hospital. 

Expert support 

The experts at Maggie51É«APP™s are always there, too. 

The benefits advisor is a real resource, and most of the men in the group have benefited from his support and advice.

And the centre head has played a huge part in providing support for us with mental health issues, helping some of the guys through really difficult situations. 

Supporting Maggie's through quilt-making

Gavin, my husband, not only involved me in quilt-making but also led our contributions to support Maggie51É«APP™s. 

First off, he came up with the idea of a quilt for the building’s Cwtch. It was made using pairs of jeans that members of the men’s group donated. Some of them even helped us finish sewing the quilt in the centre. 

Another quilt came to life thanks to Arnold, who always wears the most outrageous Hawaiian shirts. 

Gavin made a beautiful quilt using twelve of his different Hawaiian shirts. 

Gavin and I had the idea of displaying the quilts inspired by the stories of people we met at Maggie51É«APP™s and those close to us who had been affected by cancer. 

Quilts connected with people 

We exhibited our quilts at Europe's largest quilt festival, the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham. We displayed eight quilts connected with people living with cancer. 

We went to raise awareness of Maggie51É«APP™s, and ended up raising £500. 

Throughout the day, we had so many wonderful and sometimes tearful conversations with people who came to tell us what Maggie51É«APP™s means to them. 

We had a visitor at our stand from Japan, and she told me that she takes her friend to Maggie51É«APP™s in Tokyo. What a coincidence!

We really hadn’t expected our quilts to get such an emotional response.

And to be such a good way for us to say thank you to Maggie51É«APP˜s from its men in Cardiff. 

We51É«APP™re here with you

Our cancer support specialists, psychologists and benefits advisors are here for everyone with cancer, and all the people who love them. 

• Come and see us at your nearest Maggie51É«APP™s
• Call us on 0300 123 180 or arrange a callback
• Email us at [email protected]