Maggie’s Cardiff: A Lifeline for People Living with Cancer
Maggie’s Cardiff: A Lifeline for People Living with Cancer
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For Joel Foster, walking into Maggie’s Cardiff for the first time was life-changing.
“I’d just finished radiotherapy at Velindre in September 2022 and saw a flyer for Maggie’s,” Joel recalls. “At the time I was going through a tough patch. By coming to Maggie’s, it enabled me to speak to people living with cancer, not just prostate cancer. Basically, it changed my life around.”
Today, Joel is a familiar face at the centre. He takes part in weekly walking groups, attends the Friday men’s group, and joins in the social side too. “We usually go out for lunch after the meeting, just to socialise. But mainly Maggie’s was a chance for me to open up about my private personal situation as well as my cancer diagnosis. I’ve been coming for three years now and it’s meant a hell of a lot to me.”
That sense of belonging has helped Joel through difficult times, including a divorce and living alone. “It was a remedy for me to be able to socialise and talk to people. It’s helped with my mental health and wellbeing because it’s lifted a cloud. I was depressed – but not any longer.”
Maggie’s Centres were born from the vision of Maggie Keswick Jencks, who wanted people facing cancer to have a welcoming space beyond the hospital ward. Maggie’s Cardiff, next door to Velindre Cancer Centre, is one of 24 across the UK, including one in Swansea and another in north Wales is set to open this year.
As Centre Head Sam Holliday explains: “Every Maggie’s has a kitchen table, which is the heart of the centre. The idea is that it feels more like a home than a clinic – somewhere safe, comfortable and supportive. People can just drop in, whether they’re the patient, a family member or a friend.”
The centre sees up to 300 people a week, offering everything from yoga and Tai Chi to counselling, benefits advice and cancer-in-the-workplace sessions for local employers. “We work closely with NHS colleagues so that support runs alongside every stage of the patient journey,” Sam says. “Sometimes just being able to sit with a cup of tea and talk through things makes all the difference.”
For businesses, there are many ways to get involved. Maggie’s Cardiff runs fundraising events from sponsored walks to skydives, but companies can also support through volunteering, charity days or hosting workplace cancer awareness sessions. “We’re really keen to involve local businesses,” says Sam. “Most of us, at some point, have been touched by cancer. Working with us not only raises vital funds but also helps employers support staff going through treatment.”
For Joel, Maggie’s has become more than a support centre – it’s a community. “It’s a place where you can relax, be yourself, and not worry too much about what’s happening day to day. Maggie’s is here for people during cancer and beyond treatment, and friends and family are always welcome.”
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