In this blog, our Fenland Community Cancer Champions Project Manager, Kathy, reflects on how conversation can make a world of difference.

 

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the Macmillan Coffee Morning hosted by Hot Pots at March Cricket Club and what a morning it turned out to be.

From the moment I arrived, there was a wonderful atmosphere. The room was buzzing with conversation, laughter and the smell of fresh coffee and homemade cakes. People were arriving steadily throughout the morning and, by the time I stopped counting, more than 60 people had already come and gone. It was certainly one of the busiest community events I have attended in a while.

As Fenland Community Cancer Champions Project Manager, I was there to share information about our service, answer questions and support anyone affected by cancer. What I hadn’t quite anticipated was just how many conversations I would have. For three hours I barely stopped talking, meeting local residents, carers, volunteers, fundraisers and people with their own experiences of cancer. By the end of the morning my voice, and my head, were definitely ready for a rest!

One of the things I love most about events like this is that you never know where a conversation might lead. Some people wanted practical information about support available locally. Others were interested in hearing about the Community Cancer Champions programme and how we help people across Fenland to access information, services and support.

It was particularly encouraging to meet several Macmillan fundraisers who were keen to learn more about our work. They took away leaflets and information to share with others and told me they plan to talk about our service at their next meeting. Every new conversation helps us reach more people who may need support and opportunities like this are so important in raising awareness of what is available locally.

Not all of the conversations were easy, but they were all meaningful.

One lady stopped to talk about her husband, who is currently going through cancer treatment. She became quite emotional during our conversation and simply needed someone to listen. We spent some time chatting and I was able to reassure her that support is available, both now and in the months ahead. Before she left, I gave her information about our service in case she needs additional support in the future.

Moments like that remind me why our work matters. Sometimes the most valuable thing we can offer is not a leaflet or a signpost, but a listening ear and the space for someone to share what they are going through.

Alongside the coffee, cakes, tombola and fundraising activities, there was also a beautiful memory tree where people could leave messages for loved ones affected by cancer. It was a quiet and reflective part of an otherwise busy morning. On a personal note, I took the opportunity to leave a message for my brother-in-law, Dave. It was a small but very special moment for me and a reminder that cancer touches so many lives and families in different ways.

What struck me most about the morning was the strength of community on display. People came together to raise money for Macmillan, but they also came together to support one another, share experiences, remember loved ones and make new connections.

A huge thank you to everyone at Hot Pots who organised such a fantastic event, to all the volunteers who helped make it happen, and to everyone who came along and contributed. Your efforts will make a real difference.

Sometimes support starts with a conversation over a cup of coffee and a slice of cake. Friday’s coffee morning was a wonderful reminder of just how powerful those conversations can be. 💚