Cancer Support for Rural Communities

13 August 2026 — lia-rogers

In today’s blog we’re highlighting organisations that help connect people living in more isolated communities with support services. There is a lot of support available online, but if you live in a more rural area you might come up against barriers like limited internet access, lack of exposure to in-person conversations around cancer, and fewer opportunities to come across information that could lead to earlier diagnosis. 

The Farming Community Network (FCN) is a charity that supports farmers and farming families during difficult times. It works in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer in rural communities, and helps people access Macmillan’s services. There is also support for farmers in England and Wales from RABI. It offers free advice and financial, emotional and practical support, tailored to the individual, including grants, face to face counselling, and help to learn new skills and rebuild lives following a crisis.

Countrymen UK is a charity supporting men in countryside communities living with physical or mental health challenges. The farms aim to improve men’s wellbeing through farming activities, and give opportunities to socialise and meet new people. It also offers a bi-monthly carer’s support group and has a network of groups in farms across the UK.

Action for Happiness is a charity sharing practical ideas to help people feel happier, more connected to their community and less socially isolated. It provides daily actions people can take through its app and calendar and coordinates online groups where members meet to talk about happiness and commit to action.

Re-engage is a telephone-based befriending service for those aged 75 and over who are experiencing loneliness and isolation. They also hold in-person tea parties in person across the UK.

For those that live in more isolated parts of the country without a cancer support group nearby, Macmillan Buddies could be a great solution. It’s a free support service for people living with cancer and their loved ones and carers. It offers emotional support via a weekly phone call, video call or home visit by a trained volunteer with a lived experience of cancer. The volunteer can also signpost to further help.

No matter where you are in the country, there will always be online support available, whether you need information about specific cancers, a support group to share common experience, an exercise class, or specialist counselling. You can find this and much more by typing your relevant keywords into the Cancer Care Map homepage.