National Conference of Cancer Self Help Groups (NCCHSG) 2008
WOW!!! It is hard to believe, but this year will be the conferences 24nd Anniversary!!!!!!
For any of you have never attended this event, here is a bit of background information.
24 years ago this conference was organised as a one off event to encourage people with cancer and any support group members to come together to start networking and offer each other mutual support and useful tips and information. This sharing element was, I believe, the major factor in people wanting and also needing to do this on a regular basis. So due to popular demand, another was organised and so on until it has grown emmensely to what it is today!
The word 'conference' always conjures up images of boring speeches, row upon row of men and women in formal suits with reams of statistical information in folders, some making notes, some trying hard to look interested and keep awake and some just wondering what they are doing there!!
THIS CONFERENCE IS NOT LIKE THAT!
Yes, there are speakers - but these are always very interesting, sometimes funny, sometimes very poignant personal stories and so very moving. Our speakers range from professionals to an ordinary person who has been affected by cancer to the more famous household name - this year Lynne Foulds-Wood was a speaker. She has been before and is always a brilliant speaker to listen to - she really knows what she is talking about!! You can also choose whether ot not you want to go and listen to them - it is not compulsary, but I do recommend them. This year there were so many delegates, that we had everything relayed to another room so that as many people as possible had the opportunity to listen without having to stand up - yes, honestly, our speakers really are that popular and interesting to listen to!
There are also workshops for anyone wishing to take part - this year these varied from the practical side of running a support group eg listening skills, fund-raising etc to information about complementary treatments eg reiki, crystal healing etc to just fun things to do like card making, making a mask, jewellery making etc.
There was a room where various organisations and support groups etc set up stands where people could gather information, ask quetions etc. MacMillan, CancerBACUP, Sandville, Peacehaven, Cyana, and many more had stands this year. You could also purchase books here, and we took a large selection of crystals and silver gemsone jewellery to sell to help raise funds for the group - with the permission of the conference director and committee.
The conference runs from a Thursday to the following Sunday - the dates this year are from THURSDAY 22nd JUNE to SUNDAY 25th JUNE.
For these days the fee this year is just £185.00p per person - this was for the conference including all workshops, speakers, entertainment, meals, accomodation etc!! Cheap as Chips as a certain television presenter has been known to say!!
I will let you know how we get on!!
If YOU would like to come - please contact the National Conference of Cancer Self Help Groups - just type in 'NCCSHG' London into your search engine, or ring us and we will give you their telephone number.
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