NHS inspired by Havering charity to set up tea and talk group

The hospice runs tea and talk sessions at the Toby Carvery in Brentwood every month, helping those living with cancer and their carers and loved ones.

One session was joined by members of East of England Cancer Alliances and Macmillan Education to find out how the support group helps people. 

“Our ‘tea and talk’ is a chance to meet others in a similar position,” Karen Freeman from Saint Francis Hospice explained. “The organisations heard about it and are planning to set up their own groups.

“They observed the interaction and listened to our speakers, then met those taking part to find out what it was about the meeting that made it so important to them.”

Now Emma Harnett from Macmillan and Ayse Casey from NHS Cancer Alliance have made an agreement with Toby Carvery in Harlow to run a similar monthly group there, the hospice said.

The initiative by the hospice in Havering-atte-Bower is now leading to a similar support group in Harlow and others to follow in Hertfordshire and West Essex.

Tea and Talk meets at Brentwood’s Toby Carvery at Shenfield Common in Ingrave Road, and on Zoom, 10am to 12pm on the first Monday of the month (unless bank holidays, meeting the following Monday instead).

For more, call 01708 758649.