Cancer Support France: Get the Help You Need Overseas

First published: 15th January 2024 by Cancer Support France

Support for cancer patients and their families in France

Linda Shepherd, was a fluent French-speaker, who was diagnosed with cancer shortly after she and her husband had settled in France. She looked for emotional support in English but being unable to find any groups, she founded one herself. The word spread and further groups were formed, there are now fourteen plus the Association Cancer Support France (National) which is there to support these 14. Sadly, Linda died in 2017.

Cancer Support France supports English speakers of whatever nationality emotionally, linguistically and can assist with negotiating the French health system. Each of our associations are supported by a network of volunteers. Some associations offer drop-in coffee mornings where you can meet a friendly face, fun fund-raising events from Christmas markets to summer barbeques. Some may offer group walks, craft classes, quizzes, all manner of activities bringing people together. Volunteers may help to organise these events, make the tea and coffee, some just turn up once a month, some less, but every one of those volunteers is valued. Some people take their support a step further and become what we call an Active Listener.

The Cancer Support France team in Bordeaux

Volunteering as an Active Listener

Active Listeners are our emotional support volunteers. They undergo a three-day training course written, part-funded and organised by CSF National, the support organisation for the group. This training has evolved over many years and is constantly updated as practices and guidance changes. It is delivered by a team of experienced trainers who come from different areas of France.

If you have or are thinking about moving to France and wish to join our volunteers, or if you find yourself in need of support, please do contact us. We will be pleased to meet you.

How to get in touch with Cancer Support France

Our free and confidential helpline is available 24 hours a day – your call is free from a French telephone number and will be taken by an answerphone and responded to within the shortest possible time, usually less than 24 hours. We also have a forum where people can find information or exchange information. https://forum.cancersupportfrance.org/

If you would like to know more about us as a volunteer, please e-mail us on [email protected].

If you would like support you can contact our helpline on a freephone number 0800 240 200 where you leave a message and will be contacted by one of our helpline volunteers within 24 hours or by email [email protected]. Further information at www.cancersupportfrance.org

All our services are provided free of charge and are fully confidential.

Sue Smith
President
Cancer Support France (National)