5 minutes with… Get It Off Your Chest

20 October 2026 — lia-rogers

Today, we chat to Samantha Maddock about the breast cancer peer support group she runs in Plymouth, offering an informal, safe space to meet and connect through shared experiences.

Tell us about your organisation…

So, the idea for Get It Off Your Chest came about because I wanted to offer a  safe space for people who have been though/are going through breast cancer to come along and chat to people having similar experiences. When I was first diagnosed, I met up with a friend’s sister who had previously been through breast cancer and it was the best thing I could have done.  You can get all the medical stuff from doctors, nurses, counsellors, but sometimes you just want to hear personal experiences.

What services do you offer people living with or affected by cancer?

We are still new and we would like to get to the stage that people can drop in and speak to others freely, but also that we can signpost people to different resources that might be beneficial.  For example, anyone who is wanting reconstruction surgery, there is a local charity called Keeping Abreast where ladies can come and talk to other ladies that have had breast reconstruction.

Who are your services aimed at supporting?

We cater to people who have been through/are going through breast cancer, but also want to include those who have genetic mutations where there is a risk of breast cancer.

How do you cater for people with specific needs?

We meet in a local cafe with plenty of parking and access for wheelchair users.

What’s the most rewarding thing about the work you do?

It’s nice to be able to offer this space to women to be able to come along and feel they can chat and share stories openly.  Some women have come in and sat down, not really sure what to say or do but have ended up leaving laughing out the door. I also like to feel I am giving back.

What would you say to those who are considering getting in touch with you but are nervous or apprehensive?

I would tell people to just come along, we are a friendly bunch and if you’re not comfortable in a big group we also break off into smaller groups.

Also Men going through breast cancer are more than welcome to come along.

Can you tell us about your team?

I have Sue, Denise and Sonia, who all helped brainstorm at the beginning. We took a few months to get things set up – we wanted to get it right.  We all have different experiences and have gone through a range of different treatments between us.   I would say we are still a work in progress. We also have Sharon who runs Porkies Cafe and lets us use her cafe for the group meet ups.

What are the values of your organisation and can you describe your organisation in 3 words?

I think the name of the group pretty much sums us up –  Get It off Your Chest