Living with cancer can affect many areas of your life – not just your health. While many of the resources on our other pages may be helpful, sometimes you need support that’s more specific to your situation. On this page, you’ll find services, charities, and other sources of support that offer practical, emotional, financial, and everyday help to make living with and beyond cancer a little easier.
Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance is leading a project to improve support for patients with metastatic cancer. This means this website will have more additional information and support added throughout the year.
Understanding-ME- Reflecting on what matters most to you when living with metastatic cancer
Living with metastatic cancer can bring uncertainty and difficult emotions. Understanding-ME is a simple, supportive tool to help you think about what really matters to you — your goals, priorities, and the kind of support that helps you live as fully as possible.
Appointments can sometimes feel rushed, and it’s not always easy to say everything you want to. Writing things down can help you feel more confident and make sure your healthcare team understands what’s most important to you.
You can use Understanding-ME in your own time and update it whenever things change. There’s no right or wrong way to complete it — it’s your space to reflect, share your experiences, and guide the conversations that matter most.
Support for Children, Parents and Young Carers
Find tailored support for children, parents, and young carers affected by cancer. Access resources, guidance, and services to help families cope and stay connected through every stage of the journey.
Health and Wellbeing Centres at Local Hospices
Discover how our local hospices support people living with cancer through dedicated Health and Wellbeing Centres. Explore the range of services designed to enhance quality of life, from emotional support to practical guidance.
| Service name | Description | Click the link below |
|---|---|---|
| Marie Curie | Marie Curie provides expert care, guidance and support for people living with a terminal illness and their families. From hands-on nursing to emotional and bereavement support, we’re here to help people make the most of the time they have. | https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/ |
| METUPUK – Advocating for People with Secondary Breast Cancer | METUPUK is a patient-led charity working to improve the lives of people with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer. Founded and run by people living with the disease, METUPUK campaigns for faster access to new treatments, better availability of clinical trials, and improved data collection so no patient is left behind. They also raise awareness of the challenges of living with incurable breast cancer and provide a strong, informed voice to influence policy, research, and healthcare services. | metupuk.org.uk – METUPUK |
| Shine Cancer Support Circles Online Programme – Living with Incurable Cancer | The Shine Circles online programme gives you the opportunity to join a small group of young adults with cancer who meet up once a week for six weeks (for 2 hours at a time). | www.shinecancersupport.org/living-with-incurable-cancer/ |
| Ruth Strauss Foundation | The Ruth Strauss Foundation is dedicated to supporting families affected by the sudden death of a parent from cancer. Through practical help, emotional support, and funding for research and initiatives, the foundation ensures that children and families are not left to cope alone during life’s most challenging times | www.ruthstraussfoundation.com/ |
| Free Gym Membership and Exercise Support – Sir Chris Hoy and Pure Gym | Pure Gym is offering a free one-year gym memberships for men with advanced prostate cancer on hormone therapy, working in collaboration with experts at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and The Royal Marsden to provide a structured exercise programme. | https://www.puregym.com/prostate-cancer/ |
| Exercising With Bone Metastatic Cancer – What Should We Do? Move Against Cancer | More Against Cancer is a national charity supporting cancer patients with moving more. Click the link alongside for their page looking specifically at what’s safe, what’s effective, and what to avoid when looking to exercise if you have Metastatic Bone Cancer. | https://www.moveagainstcancer.org/exercising-with-bone-metastatic-cancer-what-should-we-do/ |
| Free Support on Wills, Advance Care Plan, and more – MyWishes | MyWishes is a free to use, ‘tech for good’ platform. We will empower you to write your Last Will & Testament, safeguard your Digital Legacy, plan your Funeral, curate a Bucket List, leave Goodbye Messages and make plans for your future health and social care within an Advance Care Plan. | https://www.mywishes.co.uk/ |