Our
Huddersfield Drop-in Café takes place on the second Wednesday of every month, from 11am-1pm at Hive Café.
Our
Drop-in Cafés are informal support events, led by a member of the YBTC, where you can come along to enjoy a warm drink and meet other patients, carers and loved ones who have been through a similar experience.
Bev, one of our regular attendees, has shared her story, including her experience of coming along to our Huddersfield drop-in:
"I was diagnosed with a
meningioma brain tumour in 2014. I had yearly MRI scans for 7 years, and after each scan I was told it’s behaving itself so we would just carry on as we were.
"In 2021 my latest scan showed the tumour had grown and surgery was my only option. In November 2021 I had my tumour removed. I was only in hospital for 2 nights - amazing!
"I later contracted infections and needed two further surgeries to wash the infection out.
"My brain tumour nurse gave me the telephone number of YBTC and
from the very first phone call I was made to feel welcome."
"I was told about the Drop-in Cafés in Leeds and Wakefield - YBTC would have even
paid for my travel to get there and home again. But because my mobility had deteriorated after complications from my last surgery, I was unable to get there.
"The charity asked me if I knew of a café in Huddersfield where meetings could take place on a monthly basis. I suggested a community café called The Hive to them. I was later told that the charity had set up a Huddersfield drop-in at Hive and asked if I’d like to go along."
"It was my first time meeting people who had brain tumours or surgeries to remove one. I could take my son and friend because the charity supports them too.
"It helped a great deal. It was
good to hear other people’s stories and although I had been through a lot myself, I came to realise I was one of the lucky ones. Everyone has their own story to tell which is so heartwarming and powerful.
"I now attend regularly and have made friends with some courageous and wonderful people. They understand exactly what you are going through.
"
It’s good to know that others are experiencing the same feelings and thoughts that you are. It's a relief to know that it's all normal."
"Some people make amazing steps to go to the drop-ins - it might be their first time going out on their own or the first time they have caught public transport since their surgery. For some it gives them a purpose to leave the house and to talk with others.
I always feel empowered and positive after talking to others who are going through the same experience.
"The group leaders from the charity are able to give support and advice and information such as phone numbers, or the
Wellbeing Walks and other events that they hold across the region.
"I can’t recommend the Drop-in Cafés enough. They are so
helpful, comforting and encouraging with whatever you are going through."
Thank you so much to Bev for sharing her story.
To find out more about our monthly Drop-in Cafés, which are held at eight different locations across Yorkshire,
please click here.
If you'd like to chat with our support team to find out any further information, please contact
Support@yorksbtc.org.uk or call 0113 340 0111
Discover our other support for patients and carers, including Wellbeing Walks, counselling, grants and more,
please click here.