Cancer survivor finds her way back to music after patient support group gives her HOPE

A breast cancer survivor has re-discovered her love of the accordion after joining a local hospital’s cancer course – with new friendships made along the way as well.

69-year-old Anne Jones, from Norton, joined the University Hospital of North Tees’ HOPE cancer course in November, following surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy in early 2025 to treat breast cancer.

HOPE (Help Overcoming Problems Effectively) is a six-week programme which supports people to overcome obstacles or issues following treatment for cancer.

The course is organised by cancer nurses and support staff, in collaboration with Macmillan Cancer Support. It combines practical information, psychology and group therapy to allow patients to explore and adapt to their ‘new normal’.

Anne said: “After my treatment, I started to feel quite isolated. I thought once you’d had cancer treatment, that was just it – that the support would just stop.

“But it hasn’t stopped – I can ask questions still. You’re not just out there on your own recovering from it.

“I’ve always had fears about group sessions but when I heard about HOPE, I knew I needed to do it because I was cowering away. The group is very supportive, I’ve made some good friends and it’s decreased my worry about my cancer coming back. We’re all very different people but everybody’s given time to talk, even if we do go a bit off topic sometimes.”

Motivation, friendship and HOPE

First launched in 2024, HOPE has seen 86 cancer patients benefitting from the group sessions so far, with the next cohort set to begin in January. The weekly meetings take place at Butterwick Hospice in Stockton-on-Tees and Alice House Hospice in Hartlepool and are open to patients receiving cancer treatment under the care of North Tees and Hartlepool hospitals.

The course covers a range of topics, including stress management, rebuilding relationships and coping with uncertainty.

Participants are also asked to set their own personal goals to refocus priorities. For Anne, that was getting back to playing the accordion.

Anne continued: “Every week, just having a goal in mind has made me feel very motivated. It made me think more about what I can do each week for myself and gave me that little push. Now I’m back playing the accordion. I’ve just bought some new music and I’m working on that. I even came and played for my elderly neighbour recently.

“It’s felt a very safe group for me to explore those goals and I’ve never felt like I shouldn’t speak up. I would recommend it to anyone going through their cancer journey.”

The final session of Anne’s cohort took place in early December – but the group support doesn’t stop there. After finding comfort and friendship in one another, participants have set up their own WhatsApp group chat with hopes to meet regularly in the new year.

Anne also uses the North Tees and Hartlepool ‘catch up call’ service which sees volunteers offering emotional support and a friendly ear over the phone to anyone affected by cancer.

Supporting one another

Cancer care coordinator Lisa Stuart and Macmillan cancer support worker Rachel Humble are two of the course’s facilitators leading Anne’s cohort. Rachel said: “Anne and our participants have given so much into the group – not just coming through their own journey, but in the kindness, generosity and respect they’ve shown to each other.

“The facilitators’ jobs have been easy. There’s a structure there, but the sessions have really been led by the group and moulded to what suits them best. It’s really an honour being part of it.”