Shine West Midlands are a friendly group of adults with cancer who meet up once a month in the West Midlands to spend time with other people who just ‘get it’. Our meet ups change monthly and we do a variety of activities such as, pubs, cafe’s, walks, craft, meals, etc. We’re run by volunteer Network Leaders who have their own diagnosis and we would love new people to come along and join us!
To find out about our next event please click below or drop the West Midlands Network an email at westmids@shinecancersupport.org. We’d love to hear from you!
Meet West Midlands’ volunteer network leader, Rena!
“Hello! My name is Rena and I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in March 2023 aged 40 (and 2 days before my only daughter’s 4th birthday).
I completed chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and immunotherapy in June 2024 (15 months of intensive treatment). I found Shine in June 2023 when I joined an online Break Out Programme – which was such a valuable experience. Through this group I met 8 amazing people whom have remained as wonderful friends.I also wrote a blog for Shine titled “privilege” in February 2024. And I attend Shine’s Diversity online group too.
In May 2024 I became a Shine Network Leader jointly with Pete for the West Midlands. I feel passionately about giving back to Shine who have given me so much, and about running events where I live as I found there is nothing available face to face locally. This is a photo of me newly embracing my hair growth which I can only describe as pigeon coloured kinks!”
Meet West Midlands’ volunteer network leader, Pete!
Since moving back to the West Mids I found that the Shine network wasn’t active. So I found that the best way to go to Shine events locally was to become a network leader, along with Rena we have a fair bit of the expansive West Mids covered and aim to bring events across the region.
When I’m not working (boo!) or attending Shine events (yay!) I love to listen to music and go to gigs, as well as take my camera out (to take photos).”