A creative support group for people affected by cancer is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The University Hospital of North Tees’ ‘craft and chat’ group has been bringing people together since September 2016.
Run by the hospital’s Macmillan cancer information centre, the weekly meeting has helped hundreds of people find friendship, support and a creative outlet during some of the most difficult times in their lives.
71-year-old Mary Sayers and 79-year-old Carole Manton are original members of the group. They have been attending ever since it began a decade ago.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Mary, from Sedgefield, was sitting in a waiting room at the University Hospital of North Tees when a staff member from the hospital’s Macmillan cancer information centre handed her a leaflet for a new ‘craft and chat’ group.
Her friend Carole, from Fishburn, also had breast cancer and was in the final stages of her treatment – so the pair went along together.
Mary explains: “It was quite a small and select group at first, but the atmosphere was brilliant and we all bonded quite quickly.
“When you have cancer, it’s your confidence that drops – you start to withdraw. We didn’t all have the same cancer and we were all at different stages of treatment, but there was commonality there. Over the weeks and months, we all grew together and started to have a good laugh. It made life that little bit easier.
“I would never have thought I’d still be here 10 years later.”
The group runs every Friday at the Butterwick Hospice day centre, next to the hospital.
More chat than craft
As well as working on their own crafts, the group also creates handmade items to support cancer services and patients. Their creations have included mastectomy cushions, teddy bears for children affected by cancer and drain bags for people who have undergone cancer surgery.
Although crafting is at the heart of many activities, there’s no expectation to pick up a sewing needle. The group confesses there’s much more ‘chat’ than ‘craft’.
Mary continues: “The reason I come now has changed. It’s not about me anymore – it’s about giving something back and supporting the other people.
“Becoming part of a group like this helps to remind you that the cancer’s just a small part of your life. It’s a very happy place to be.”
The group is part of a wider range of support available from the Macmillan cancer information centre. It is open to anyone impacted by cancer, offering opportunities to connect, share experiences and access information and advice.
Alan Chandler, Macmillan information and survivorship manager, said: “What makes this group special is the sense of community it creates. We’ve seen people come through the doors feeling anxious, isolated or unsure of what lies ahead, and leave with a support network they can rely on.
“It’s been wonderful to see the group grow over the last 10 years and to see the positive impact it has had on so many people affected by cancer. We’re incredibly proud of what the group has achieved and look forward to seeing the difference it will continue to make to people’s lives.”
Meet some of our group
The weekly ‘craft and chat’ group is open to anyone affected by cancer. This includes those diagnosed themselves, people living with or beyond cancer, and those supporting a loved one through treatment. The group provides a friendly space to share experiences, make connections and support one another.
56-year-old Wendy Caldwell, from Fairfield, joined the group in February 2026 after her breast cancer diagnosis. Now, she tries never to miss a week.
She said: “When I first came, I was a bit scared because it was already an established group but I felt so included. I never thought twice about coming back and if I miss a week now, I feel it.
“Rachel, Alan, Linda and Sharon who run the group are amazing. If you’re having a bad day, there’s space to talk about it with them, but you don’t have to if you don’t want. The group will recognise you’re down and they’ll just make you laugh. That’s the beauty of the group.”
53-year-old Jamie Lee, from Billingham, isn’t a regular attender at the weekly group. But he is always welcomed with open arms when he pops in for a cuppa, a chat and the occasional craft.
After beginning treatment for prostate cancer almost three years ago, he is now a volunteer in the hospital’s Macmillan cancer information centre and elderly care ward.
Jamie said: “It’s so special being part of this group of people and I don’t think you’d realise until you’ve tried. We laugh and we cry – it keeps everybody going. Many times I’ve come and I’ve felt very low and I’ve left a different person.
“We’re so fortunate to have access to this. I just wish there was more of this in the world.”
More information
The weekly ‘craft and chat’ group is open to anyone affected by cancer. Sessions take place every Friday, 12:30pm to 2:30pm, at the Butterwick Hospice day centre, next to the University Hospital of North Tees.
For more information, contact the hospital’s Macmillan cancer information centre on 01642 383041 or [email protected]
Find out more about the cancer information centre