About us

Welcome to Bosom Pals MK.

Welcome to Bosom Pals MK.

We are a peer-to-peer Breast Cancer Support Group in Milton Keynes wholly run by volunteers who have  personal experience of breast cancer - we listen to and support people just like you. Sometimes we are in touch through telephone or text, or sometimes we will meet up for a coffee – whatever helps. Whether you are going through treatment now or you have been through it in the past, we will listen and offer support. We help people to talk through their concerns and we can offer a range of resources that could help. Bosom Pals MK is also open to carers, relatives and friends of those diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

A brief overview of our journey:

1991

Bosom Pals MK was established by two breast cancer patients with the support of a breast care nurse at Milton Keynes University Hospital. At the time, information and awareness of breast cancer was very limited and there were very few people available to talk to for breast cancer patients. A diagnosis of breast cancer is an extremely frightening experience.

2014

Bosom Pals MK recognises the need to support patients of gynaecological cancer, so the group opens its doors to those patients, as previous support was limited, and gynae patients have no existing support groups in the local area.

Bosom Pals MK starts providing goodie bags for all breast and gynae patients undergoing surgery in Milton Keynes University Hospital, which was something to help at a difficult time. The goodie bags contain small items of toiletries, cosmetics and other gifts, including details of how to access support from Bosom Pals MK. The goodie bags are very well appreciated by patients happy to receive an unexpected gift as a small reminder of “normal life” whilst undergoing treatment. Following a request from the breast care nurses we now also provide a goodie bag suitable for men having breast surgery.

2015

2021

Bosom Pals MK celebrates its 30 year anniversary - quite a milestone! Our work continues and we hope to help many more people in the future. Our anniversary will be celebrated in 2022. Our meetings were held via Zoom due to the pandemic, which enabled us to keep in touch and enjoy talks and activities.

2020

Bosom Pals MK proudly receives the Queen's award for voluntary service, after nomination by Milton Keynes Community Foundation, in recognition of almost 30 years of service to the breast cancer community. The award was presented at a small ceremony by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire with the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire and the Mayor of Milton Keynes in attendance. Although numbers attending were restricted by Covid-19 regulations, it was a moment of immense pride for Bosom Pals MK.

A brief overview of our journey:

1991

Bosom Pals MK was established by two breast cancer patients with the support of a breast care nurse at Milton Keynes University Hospital. At the time, information and awareness of breast cancer was very limited and there were very few people available to talk to for breast cancer patients. A diagnosis of breast cancer is an extremely frightening experience.

2014

Bosom Pals MK recognises the need to support patients of gynaecological cancer, so the group opens its doors to those patients, as previous support was limited, and gynae patients have no existing support groups in the local area.

2015

Bosom Pals MK starts providing goodie bags for all breast and gynae patients undergoing surgery in Milton Keynes University Hospital, which was something to help at a difficult time. The goodie bags contain small items of toiletries, cosmetics and other gifts, including details of how to access support from Bosom Pals MK. The goodie bags are very well appreciated by patients happy to receive an unexpected gift as a small reminder of “normal life” whilst undergoing treatment. Following a request from the breast care nurses we now also provide a goodie bag suitable for men having breast surgery.

2020

Bosom Pals MK proudly receives the Queen's award for voluntary service, after nomination by Milton Keynes Community Foundation, in recognition of almost 30 years of service to the breast cancer community. The award was presented at a small ceremony by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire with the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire and the Mayor of Milton Keynes in attendance. Although numbers attending were restricted by Covid-19 regulations, it was a moment of immense pride for Bosom Pals MK.

2021

Bosom Pals MK celebrates its 30 year anniversary - quite a milestone! Our work continues and we hope to help many more people in the future. Our anniversary will be celebrated in 2022. Our meetings were held via Zoom due to the pandemic, which enabled us to keep in touch and enjoy talks and activities.

Our values and pledge

We are about meeting people, friendship and support. The following list of statements are our pledge - our core set of values that sits behind all of the work we do. We pledge:

1. To support each other in every way we can. This applies to all members but Committee members are particularly involved in telephone contact and support.  Bosom Pals MK is about meeting people, friendship and mutual support.

2. To arrange activities which help and interest members and to provide fun whenever we can. The evening monthly meeting is an opportunity to talk to each other and usually includes a presentation about something of interest to members. The afternoon sessions once a month are all about talking to each other over refreshments. We hold other events including a Christmas meal, summer barbecue and other group activities.

3. To keep in touch with members via our newsletter, chit chat magazine and email.

4. To make Bosom Pals MK visible and raise awareness of our service to those in need – via our website and community engagement

5 To represent members views and needs to the wider community, the Hospital and Health Services in particular, with the intention of improving services.

6. To use funds raised in our local involvement activities for the benefit of members, including some practical help when needed and to contribute, when funds are available, to local organisations that have helped members.

Our patrons

Dame Cleo Laine

Dame Cleo Laine is a world famous jazz/popular singer and actress whose career extends from the 1950s to the present day.  She has won numerous music and acting awards.  She is the only female performer to have received Grammy nominations in the Jazz, Popular and Classical categories.  With her late husband, Sir John Dankworth, she founded the Stables Theatre at Wavendon, MK in 1970.

Louise Roche

Louise Roche has been a full time writer since 2004, she writes mostly for theatre. She has written 'Frankie's Game', 'Girls Night', 'Bobby & Johnny', 'Milton Keynes The Musical', 'Lucky Balls', 'Girls Behind', 'Happy Christmas Shirley', 'True Love', 'Checkout Girls', 'Girls Night Too', 'Baby Shower', 'Finding Daddy' and 'Girls Night The Musical' Louise has also written for ITV's 'Where The Heart Is' and BBC TV. In 2001 she was voted Millennium Woman by Milton Keynes Women of Enterprise. In 2003 she became a director of theatre company 'Goodnights Entertainment Ltd'. She is married to Mark Randle and they have three daughters Megan, Estelle and Nancy.

Our sponsors