Rooted in Strength
Free Support and Resources for Cancer Patients: Our Recommendations
Over the years, I've come across some remarkable organisations doing quiet, brilliant work to support people through cancer treatment. These are the ones I recommend most often to customers — all of them completely free to access. Jen's Friends — Free Mastectomy Pillows Jen's Friends send free heart-shaped mastectomy pillows to women recovering from breast surgery. The pillows are made by a network of volunteer crafters and filled with premium soft stuffing. All you pay is postage (£4 for one pillow, £6.50 for two). Find them on Facebook and message the team directly to place your request. Allow around three weeks for delivery. We've written a full post about Jen's Friends on this blog if you'd like to know more. Headwrappers — Free Scarf-Tying Sessions There are monthly free scarf-tying sessions in partnership with Headwrappers every last Thursday of the month. Everyone who registers receives a free goody bag in the post containing a cotton headscarf, samples and discount vouchers. Headwrappers also run Tea, Topknots and Turbans — a twice-monthly informal chat session where patients can connect, share tips and hear from guest speakers. These sessions are particularly valuable for those who don't have easy access to in-person support. Register for the next session at www.headwrappers.org. Hair Reborn — Free Hair Styling Service Hair Reborn is a charity that offers free hair styling appointments for people experiencing hair loss as a result of chemotherapy. If your hair is beginning to grow back and you're not sure what to do with it, or if you just want the confidence of a professional appointment, this is a wonderful service. Visit hairreborn.uk to find out more. Chemotherapy Headwear — Free Advice and Consultations We're also here for you. Whether you have questions about what to wear, want to talk through the options or just need someone who understands — please get in touch. We offer free video consultations and have been helping patients and their families since 2008. Call us on 01590 381 395 or email hello@chemotherapyheadwear.com.
Free Online Scarf-Tying Sessions with Headwrappers: What to Expect
One of the things I'm most proud of at Chemotherapy Headwear is the free scarf-tying sessions we offer and the monthly sessions we help people join that are run by the wonderful team at Headwrappers, who have now joined forces with Look Good Feel Better. They started during lockdown when we were both looking for ways to support cancer patients who couldn't get to in-person events. They've kept going ever since — and have grown into something really special. What happens in a session? The sessions run on the last Thursday of every month, 11am–12pm. They're friendly, relaxed and genuinely useful. Here's what you can expect: Headwrappers send a free square cotton headscarf to everyone who registers, so you can follow along on the day and try each style as it's demonstrated. The Headwrappers team show you several different scarf-tying techniques, from classic wraps to turbans and more creative styles. There's time for questions, troubleshooting and a lot of warmth and mutual support between the women attending. Numbers are kept small on purpose, so everyone gets proper attention. You can join in and practise along, or just watch — there's no pressure either way. Tea, Topknots and Turbans Headwrappers also run a separate, more informal session called Tea, Topknots and Turbans — held twice a month for anyone who wants to chat, share tips and hear from guest speakers on topics ranging from headwear and make-up to wigs and other charities. It's a lovely way to connect with other people who really understand what you're going through. How to sign up Head to www.headwrappers.org to register for the next session. Once registered, your free goody bag — including the cotton headscarf — will be posted out to you. Every session is fun, supportive and completely free. If you would like one-to-one support, please get in touch with me and I will book an individual appointment in with you.
Free Mastectomy Pillows from Jen's Friends: How to Get One
Working in cancer support for as long as I have, you come across some truly wonderful organisations doing quiet, brilliant work. Jen's Friends is one of them. They send heart-shaped pillows to women who have had a mastectomy or breast surgery. The pillows are shaped to provide comfort and protection as you heal — the kind of thing that makes the weeks after surgery a little more bearable. And they're free. How to get a Mastectomy Pillow The process is straightforward: Go to the Jen's Friends Facebook page and send the team a message via Messenger, letting them know how many pillows you need (one for a single mastectomy, two for a double). Send your delivery address. They'll come back to you with instructions on how to pay the postage — £4 for one pillow or £6.50 for two. Allow up to three weeks for delivery. The team are volunteers with full-time jobs, so a little patience goes a long way. Who makes the pillows? The covers are made by an army of volunteer crafters who donate their time and skills. The Jen's Friends team then stuff them with soft filling and get them out to the women who need them. It's a genuinely community-driven operation, and the warmth behind it shows in every pillow they send. Want to get involved? If you're crafty and want to contribute, head to the Jen's Friends Facebook page for the pattern and instructions. Donating a pillow cover is a lovely way to support other women going through breast cancer treatment. We also stock our own range of mastectomy pillows here at Chemotherapy Headwear — if you'd like something a little quicker or want to choose your own fabric, take a look at our range.