At FORCE Cancer Charity we believe that anyone diagnosed with cancer deserves the best possible treatment and professional support, face to face and close to home.
We have a Cancer Support and Information Centre in Exeter for patients and their loved ones who need physical, emotional, psychological and practical support.
When circumstances allow, we offer support and information once a week in Okehampton, Tiverton and Ottery St Mary and pay for the specialist nurses who deliver chemotherapy in all three locations.
We also fund local research and buy equipment to improve patient care.
All our services are free.
Our Exeter Centre is on the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital Wonford site. Access to the Centre is temporarily restricted, along with our community outreach centres, due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The risk of transmission of COVID-19 is too high for the group of people we support.
All support services in the wider Devon community have also ceased but chemotherapy treatment continues in Okehampton and Ottery St Mary.
We have redesigned our services to offer support to those who need us. We are still able to offer some face-to-face support while counselling, information and advice on claiming benefits and how to exercise safely are also available on the phone or via video calls.
We are reviewing arrangements on a regular basis.
THE CONTACT DETAILS YOU NEED
FORCE Cancer Nursing Team: 01392 406151 support@forcecancercharity.co.uk
Psychological and emotional support: 01392 406168/406169 help@forcecancercharity.co.uk
Oncology physiotherapist Louise Ballagher: 01392 403094 louise.ballagher@forcecancercharity.co.uk
Support & self-help films & audio
News updates
Bob raises money for FORCE with tales of epic journeys
23rd December 2020
If you’re looking for a little inspiration to make those New Year fitness resolutions happen, then look no further than keen walker and cyclist Bob Higgs from Topsham. Bob has written a book about four of his most memorable expeditions and is selling copies to raise money for FORCE Cancer Charity. Boots and Pedals is [...]
Mental health support for people affected by cancer
10th December 2020
The uncertainty of living through a global pandemic has taken its toll on all of us. It has impacted the mental wellbeing of countless people and added an extra layer of uncertainty for cancer patients and their families. That’s why FORCE, the area’s leading cancer support charity, is reaching out this Christmas to communities in [...]
Desk cycle challenge raises grand total
10th December 2020
Devon digital advertising agency, Launch Online, has raised £1000 for the FORCE Cancer Charity Autumn Bike Ride initiative after the team cycled over 245 miles from underneath their desks during November. With the help of a fleet of mini pedal exercisers, which fit underneath the desk, the team generated over 389,466 revolutions on their desk [...]
New support groups for cancer patients and carers
8th December 2020
FORCE will be starting three new support groups in the New Year. The Talk and Coffee sessions are for people with a primary diagnosis of cancer, those living with the disease as a chronic condition and carers. There will be six 90-minute sessions for each group, held at the FORCE Support and Information Centre in [...]
The FORCE Christmas Campaign
3rd December 2020
FORCE Cancer Charity has launched a 2020 Christmas Campaign. We’re asking you to Put FORCE On Your List This Christmas. At this special time of year our wonderful supporters usually do all sorts of amazing things to raise money for us. But the impact of COVID-19 means that most of those events can’t happen in 2020 [...]
Stuart tackles multi-marathon challenge
3rd December 2020
A Devon martial arts teacher is running the equivalent of nearly five marathons in December to raise money for FORCE, the area’s leading cancer support charity. Dad of two Stuart Youles from Tiverton aims to complete his 130-mile challenge on Christmas Eve. He set himself a fundraising target of £2 for every mile but smashed [...]
Major boost to cancer services in East Devon
17th November 2020
Cancer services in East Devon will receive a major boost this month. Ottery St Mary Hospital will become a new cancer hub for patients and their families. Specialists from the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital’s oncology department and FORCE, the area’s leading cancer support charity, will be working together within a dedicated unit at the [...]
Teignmouth Tangent Club supports FORCE
12th November 2020
Teignmouth Tangent Club has made a donation of £1,000 FORCE Cancer Charity. The group also presented Rowcroft Hospice in Torquay with £1,500 as club chairman Kerstin Jones’ charity for the year. Teignmouth Tangent Club raised more than £1,000 at their annual Christmas Bazaar at Langstone Cliff Hotel in Dawlish. Members have also raised money at [...]
“Take My Hair But Not My Humour”
28th October 2020
An Exeter mum is supporting FORCE from the proceeds of a bestselling book about her cancer journey. In Take My Hair But Not My Humour (One Mum’s Journey Seeing Off Breast Cancer), Emma Davies tells her remarkable story. It’s a Bridget Jones style diary of her cancer experience that combines information and practical advice with [...]
Thomson Reuters supports FORCE Cancer Charity
21st October 2020
One of the best-known names in the world of business has been offering generous support to FORCE Cancer Charity. Staff from the Exmouth office of Thomson Reuters have volunteered their time to work in the garden at the FORCE Support and Information Centre in Exeter. Jess Shaw, Lauren Coates and Marta Pawelczyk spent a day [...]
Shop smart and bag a bargain with FORCE this Christmas
12th October 2020
The FORCE Cancer Charity shop is gearing up for Christmas and the message is: Shop Smart, Bag a Bargain and Keep It Local. The shop in Heavitree has a section dedicated to the festive season with gorgeous gifts for all your family and friends. The shelves are stacked with fantastic items to get you into the Yuletide spirit – all of [...]
Black belt mum in pink campaign for cancer charities
8th October 2020
An East Devon mum and martial arts expert has launched a colourful campaign to raise funds for three cancer charities, including FORCE. Taekwondo black belt Beth Taylor is encouraging her club colleagues and friends to Wear Pink for October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Beth, 53, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March [...]
New online mindfulness course available
4th September 2020
FORCE Cancer Charity is starting a new online course – An Introduction to Mindfulness Practices – later this month. It will be run by FORCE Oncology Support Specialist Paul Grace for four weeks from Thursday September 24 between 9.30am and 10.45am. There are still a few places still available. For more information or to book [...]
Book now for FORCE yoga classes
17th August 2020
FORCE Cancer Charity is offering online yoga classes. A weekly course is available every Wednesday at 3pm for 40 minutes via the Zoom video conferencing platform. The sessions are run by Rachel Sherring, an experienced yoga teacher who has been offering classes at FORCE since 2016. [...]
’Allo ’allo ’allo, what’s going on here then?
6th August 2020
Steve Mansfield is planning to put his own special mark on this year’s virtual Nello cycle ride in aid of FORCE Cancer Charity. The 50-year-old surgeon will be riding on Sunday, dressed as a 1960s policeman on an antique bicycle. Steve and a group of friends will cycle from Kenton and join the traditional 55-mile [...]
Still time to ride the virtual Nello
5th August 2020
Cyclists have just over a week left to take part in one of the region’s top charity rides. FORCE Cancer Charity’s flagship fundraising event, The Nello, has gone virtual for 2020. Ongoing restrictions around the Coronavirus pandemic and mass gatherings meant it was impossible to assemble 1,500 cyclists and their supporters at the usual start/finish [...]
Get set for Make a Will Fortnight
4th August 2020
FORCE has again teamed up with local law firms to offer a will writing service for two weeks in September. Make a Will Fortnight runs from September 7-21 when solicitors based in offices across Exeter, East, Mid and South Devon will waive their fees to write a simple will in return for a donation to [...]
Places available on sleep and fatigue workshop
23rd July 2020
FORCE Cancer Charity will be running a second workshop on Sleep and Managing Fatigue next month. The online support group for cancer patients will take place on Wednesday August 19 at 10:30am. To take part, you need to register by emailing support@forcecancercharity.co.uk or calling 01392 406151. The session will be delivered by FORCE Information Manager [...]
Cancer services rated highly at the RD&E
16th July 2020
Cancer services at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust have been highly rated by patients after achieving more ‘above expected’ results than any other Trust in the country, according to results released recently. The annual National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, now in its ninth year, is designed to monitor national progress on cancer care; [...]
FORCE online art group a great success
16th July 2020
FORCE Cancer Charity piloted a programme of online support during the Coronavirus lockdown with a weekly art group. The six-week course proved so successful that a second group has been given the go-ahead and will begin on August 13. The group is run on the Zoom video conferencing platform. Three local artists – Lucy Rockliffe, [...]
Packed with fundraising ideas
1st July 2020
Keen to support FORCE and need a few ideas or tips on how to get started? We have just the thing to help you out. We have revised our Fundraising Support Pack to take account of the new way all of us have had to adapt to operating. There’s information on how to put an [...]
Managing sleep and fatigue
19th June 2020
Need help with managing fatigue and poor sleep? We know that both cancer related fatigue from treatment and poor sleep are common problems that can have a huge impact on your day-to-day wellbeing. Luckily, Louise Ballagher, FORCE Cancer Charity Oncology Physio, and Annie Kerr, our Lead Information Nurse, have teamed up to offer one-off workshops [...]
Determined Liz conquers the Furloughed Flyer
19th June 2020
Liz Slade was so looking forward to taking part in this year’s FORCE Nello cycle ride that even a dislocated collar bone couldn’t stop her. The legal secretary from Seaton was all set for her first Nello 100 when initially Coronavirus and then a painful accident scuppered her plans. But she was so determined to [...]
FORCE charity shop reopens
16th June 2020
The FORCE Cancer Charity shop in Heavitree has reopened for the first time in nearly three months. The shop in Fore Street closed on March 23 due to the Coronavirus pandemic but the team has been working hard to get the building safe for staff and visitors. And it paid off with a steady stream [...]
Kevin’s running four marathons in June for charity
15th June 2020
North Devon IT support engineer Kevin White has set himself the challenge of running the equivalent of four marathons in a month to raise money for two cancer charities. Kevin is inspired by wife Debbie, a nurse in the social care and health team in Barnstaple who has been diagnosed with cancer twice in the [...]
Andy’s expert advice on preparing for the Virtual Nello
15th June 2020
A leading local sports scientist is offering cyclists preparing for FORCE’s Virtual Nello ride some invaluable training tips. FORCE has had to adapt its biggest single fundraising event from mass participation to an individual challenge. Dr Andy Middlebrooke of Exercise Science Consulting Ltd has kindly offered his expertise in preparing people of all abilities and [...]
FORCE launches online support groups
10th June 2020
Keeping in touch with others has been more challenging than ever since lockdown, so FORCE is proud to offer a series of online support groups for people with cancer and their families to stay connected. From next week FORCE will be offering access to groups via the Zoom video communication platform. There will be a [...]
Thank you Team Oncology
5th June 2020
A huge thank you from FORCE and everyone our charity supports to the team of RD&E cancer specialists who have raised nearly £9,000 for us. Team Oncology did it by completing sponsored laps of the Wonford site over the course of a working week. And the fantastic news is, they’re considering another fundraiser for 2021. [...]
Vanessa creates doorstep portraits on lockdown walks
28th May 2020
Our thanks to the Okehampton Times and Senior Reporter Sarah Pitt for this great article. A photographer from North Tawton is combining lockdown walks with her two young daughters with taking ‘doorstep portraits’ to raise funds for FORCE cancer charity. Vanessa Perri-Khoo, originally from Italy, would usually have a packed diary of weddings to photograph [...]
John takes on head shave and hoverboard challenge
27th May 2020
John Williams has raised nearly £700 for FORCE with a combined head shave and hoverboard challenge. The 73-year-old from Exeter described himself as looking like The Wild Man of Borneo due to Coronavirus lockdown restrictions. So he decided to cut his own hair and try to raise money for FORCE and wildlife conservation charity Tusk in the [...]
Musicians and medics record stay-at-home charity single
26th May 2020
A group of local musicians and medics have joined together to produce a charity video. The eighteen talented performers have recorded a version of Help! by The Beatles. And they all played their part from the safety of their own homes. The video is raising money for FORCE Cancer Charity, which has continued to support [...]
Great advice about eating well
22nd May 2020
Trying to find reliable online resources to help can sometimes be confusing when there is so much information on the internet. The World Cancer Research Fund provides some really helpful advice on keeping active and looking after your well-being if you are self-isolating and staying at home. FORCE Information Manager Annie Kerr said: “There’s lots of [...]
Nello goes virtual for 2020
20th May 2020
FORCE Cancer Charity’s flagship fundraising event is going virtual for 2020. Ongoing restrictions around the Coronavirus pandemic and mass gatherings mean that FORCE’s annual Nello cycle ride cannot go ahead as planned this summer. Instead, cyclists will be offered the chance to take part in three different challenges that they can do independently. There will [...]
Keep calm, stay wise, be kind
15th May 2020
This Coping Calendar from the charity Action for Happiness was recently shared with those working at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. It caught the eye of our lead Information Nurse Annie Kerr. “Some of the suggestions can be really helpful whilst trying to get through the lockdown,” she explained. “Not all of them are possible [...]
Moving Forward group reconnects
15th May 2020
Keeping connected @FORCE took a step forward today with a catch-up group session for members of the Moving Forward programme delivered in September last year. The magic of the internet allowed group members to reconnect and explore what life is like during social isolation and how life has been in the last few months. [...]
Local business offers support for FORCE
14th May 2020
A big thank you to those lovely people at Dart Fresh for supporting FORCE via their online shopping service. They are kindly donating 50p from every sale of their popular Sliced Gammon Ham packs to FORCE. “FORCE is a fantastic charity and we always do whatever we can to support local businesses and communities,” said Jamie [...]
Understanding and managing grief
14th May 2020
FORCE has produced a book to help people dealing with the loss of a loved one and it may be especially valuable at a time when our charity is unable to offer its usual face to face support. UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING GRIEF has been put together specifically for those who have experienced bereavement after a [...]
Lucy to have her head shaved in aid of FORCE
13th May 2020
Our thanks to Alan Quick at the Crediton Courier for this great article about another fantastic fundraising initiative for FORCE. A local woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer will this week have her head shaved in aid of the FORCE Outreach Service at Okehampton. Lucy Wilson, formerly of Coldridge and now from Lapford, [...]
Mouff makes brushing your teeth cool for kids
12th May 2020
A dental nurse from Exeter has written a new children’s book with eye-catching characters to encourage kids to brush their teeth. Shelley Poole created Mouff to make it easy for children to understand just how important it is to keep their teeth clean. Mouff and the monsters who live among his molars deliver a colourful [...]
Exercise so important ahead of cancer surgery
6th May 2020
In this unprecedented time of COVID-19 with social distancing and isolation, a cancer diagnosis and the prospect of surgery or other treatment can be more worrying than ever. There has never been a more important time to look after your health and wellbeing than after a cancer diagnosis. Keeping yourself active – even in [...]
Kathryn’s 2.6 Challenge is a picture
6th May 2020
FORCE supporter Kathryn Hulland has come up with a picture perfect way of taking part in the 2.6 Challenge to raise funds for our charity. While others have been running, walking, cycling, climbing or taking part in other sponsored physical trials to help fill the funding gap faced by charities during the COVID-19 crisis, that [...]
Please help us to help others
5th May 2020
We know there are people out there dealing with cancer that we could be helping TODAY. But they may not know that FORCE can offer emotional, psychological and practical support during a time when we are all doing our bit to protect the NHS by staying safe at home and saving lives. That’s where you [...]
Team Oncology raises more than £7,000 for FORCE
4th May 2020
A team of cancer specialists from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital has raised more than £7,000 for charity by doing laps of the Wonford site. Eighty-six people took part in the challenge to run or walk two-kilometre circuits around the perimeter of the RD&E campus last week, before and after work and during [...]
Final push for Team Oncology
1st May 2020
Good luck to Team Oncology for the final few hours of their challenge to complete sponsored laps of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital’s Wonford site in aid of FORCE. They started on Monday at 7am and plan [...]
Online support for breast cancer survivors
1st May 2020
FORCE Information Manager Annie Kerr has passed on details of a new group for breast cancer survivors. This online gathering is run by two women with considerable expertise in caring for cancer patients. Beverley Longhurst is a breast care Clinical Nurse Specialist and clinical hypnotherapist with a good deal of experience in the breast cancer [...]
Don’t let COVID-19 put you off seeing a doctor
30th April 2020
Doctors in Devon are worried that people with cancer symptoms are not coming forward because of the coronavirus pandemic, reports the Western Morning News. New findings suggest four in 10 people are too concerned about being a burden on the NHS to seek help from their GP. NHS chief executive Simon Stevens has warned [...]
FORCE plans virtual cancer support group
30th April 2020
At FORCE we know how important it is to stay connected with others, so we are looking to launch a virtual cancer support group. It will offer the chance to share experiences, feel less isolated and gain tips and advice on how to cope with cancer. The group will run via the free Zoom online [...]
Team Oncology to join the Clap for Carers
30th April 2020
The team of cancer specialists doing laps of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital site for charity will extend today’s challenge to join in a Clap for Carers at their Wonford base. During their breaks, doctors, nurses, radiographers and other healthcare professionals from the hospital’s oncology department are walking or running around the perimeter of [...]
Five grand reasons to cheer on Team Oncology
29th April 2020
The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Oncology Team reached the half way point at lunchtime today in their challenge to raise money for FORCE. Doctors, nurses, radiographers and other healthcare professionals from the hospital’s oncology department are doing laps of the Wonford site during their breaks. A team of 65 runners and walkers [...]
Ideas that can brighten your day
28th April 2020
The weather is a little gloomier this week – although the rain is welcome for gardeners – but one of our supporters has some suggestions for brightening your day. They watched the film made by our Oncology Support Specialist Emma Ellis and got in touch [...]
The difference FORCE can make
27th April 2020
Living with cancer can have a massive impact on every aspect of your life, including your finances. We are proud to be able to offer support and advice to help with the extra costs that a cancer diagnosis can bring. Here at FORCE we recognise that a diagnosis can bring many challenges alongside the [...]
Silver anniversary for our sensational shop
24th April 2020
For a quarter of a century the FORCE shop has been delivering sterling service to bargain hunters in Heavitree. Today marks 25 years since it opened in Fore Street, Heavitree and in that time it has achieved a turnover of £5.2 million with an amazing [...]
Olivia and Peter send pennies from heaven
23rd April 2020
FORCE supporters are coming up with inventive ways of supporting us during a time when so much of our fundraising is on hold. When Olivia was given a home-based charity challenge by her school, she sprang into action by gathering up all the pennies she could find. [...]
Lou’s Lockdown Lovelies find a way to stay connected
23rd April 2020
During this unprecedented time of social distancing and isolating, FORCE Cancer Charity’s Heavitree exercise group has found a way to stay connected. The group, run by FORCE Oncology Physiotherapist Louise Ballagher, has managed to keep together by forming a WhatsApp group. Louise has also delivered exercise circuit sessions via Zoom, the web-based video conferencing [...]
Exeter cancer team takes on Captain Tom style challenge
22nd April 2020
National hero Captain Tom Moore has inspired cancer specialists from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to take on their own fundraising challenge. Staff from the Oncology Department at the RD&E are planning to complete laps of the hospital in aid of FORCE Cancer Charity. The plan is for doctors, nurses, radiographers and other [...]
Special delivery for Honiton chemo team
21st April 2020
Chemotherapy patients and nurses at Honiton Hospital have received a special delivery. The local branch of a national snack chain donated a hamper full of goodies including nutritious bars, biscuits, popcorn, crisps and chocolate. The generous gift came from Bobby’s Foods of Bromsgrove, which has a depot in Exeter. [...]
If you need us, get in touch
20th April 2020
As we enter another new week of social distancing measures to help us stay safe, protect the NHS and save lives, we want to remind everyone that FORCE is still here to help. We may not be able to see people affected by cancer face to face [...]
Learning to live through lockdown
17th April 2020
The Government’s decision to extend the period of lockdown for a further three weeks was not unexpected but may still present challenges to all of us. Annie Kerr from the FORCE Support Team has put together some ideas for dealing with this extended period of time [...]
Our first virtual cheque presentation
17th April 2020
As we get to grips with trying to think of news ways to fundraise and maintain our support services while doing everything we can to stay safe and protect the NHS, we received a lovely boost this week. Our friends at The Family Law Company handed over the £1,600 they raised for FORCE in memory [...]
One day at a time
15th April 2020
‘How do you do it?’ said night ‘How do you wake and shine?’ ‘I keep it simple’ said light ‘One day at a time’ by Lemn Sissay Annie Kerr, FORCE Cancer Charity’s Information Manager and an experienced nurse, is at the forefront [...]
Help us protect the future of FORCE
9th April 2020
To ensure that FORCE survives beyond the Coronavirus pandemic, our chief executive Meriel Fishwick has called on the communities that the charity serves for their support. This is her message to everyone who cares about FORCE: “We are thankful for the Government’s announcement of support for charities, particularly those like FORCE who are still providing [...]
Great ideas for keeping busy
6th April 2020
We asked you to stay connected with FORCE and share your ideas on how to get through these unprecedented times. Straight away someone we support at FORCE got in touch with a fantastic list of resources to access online. There are some lovely ideas for ways to look after your mind and body and we are [...]
Stay connected with the FORCE family
6th April 2020
FORCE has launched a new online community to stay connected with our supporters and the people using our services at this difficult time. Our main support centre in Exeter and our weekly outreach programmes in Okehampton, Tiverton and Honiton are temporarily closed. So, we think it‘s important now more than ever before to keep in [...]
Keeping active is especially important now
6th April 2020
FORCE’s specialist Oncology Physiotherapist Louise Ballagher has some important advice for keeping active during the period when we have to stay safe at home. She explained: “During this COVID-19 crisis and the quarantine mandates we have to follow, there are big changes to our daily routine. “But exercise is especially important now because it boosts [...]
Relaxation is a powerful tool
3rd April 2020
Learning how to relax can be a valuable aid to coping with a cancer diagnosis. Relaxation can: Relieve tiredness and stress Help manage anxiety Enhance your ability to cope Contribute to a sense of wellbeing and peace Sadly FORCE cannot offer our usual courses in Relaxation and Anxiety Management but we still have resources available [...]
New children’s book to explain Coronavirus
2nd April 2020
A medical student at the University of Exeter has created cute characters and a rhyming story to explain COVID-19 to children. FORCE Cancer Charity Information Manager Annie Kerr spotted the new book by Annis Watts online and reckons it could be useful for families with young children. Annis, from Nottinghamshire, was inspired by the lack [...]
Live cooking with Ryan Riley
1st April 2020
Maintaining a well balanced diet is important at any time but it can be particularly difficult in the current environment and is often challenging for people going through cancer treatment. Talented chef Ryan Riley is an expert at creating dishes designed to stimulate taste and appetite for people whose enjoyment of food has been diminished by [...]
Just a phone call away
27th March 2020
Members of FORCE’s support team may not be able to work from our centres in Exeter, Okehampton, Tiverton and Honiton at the moment but they are an incredibly adaptable group. Via the wonders of technology and good old fashioned telephones, they are keeping in touch with those that need our support, perhaps now more than [...]
We’re still here
23rd March 2020
A reminder that although our Support Centre is temporarily closed, we’re still here to help. Our staff are working 9:30am to 4:30pm every weekday, answering calls and offering support. Whether you need information after a cancer diagnosis, advice on claiming benefits, suggestions about the sort of exercise you can do or simply some reassurance in [...]
A message from our oncology support specialists
20th March 2020
Hello and welcome to our website, which will be instrumental in communicating how we aim to support and keep in contact with you for the foreseeable future. FORCE is very aware of the heightened feelings of uncertainty and changes that are happening around us all. Our priority is to keep supporting you the best way [...]
Call us for support
19th March 2020
Our support centres may be closed but there are still plenty of FORCE services you can access. Our staff are still working to help local people affected by cancer and we encourage you to call us for advice and support. Experts are on the end of a telephone to offer advice on claiming benefits, accessing [...]
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: FORCE CANCER CHARITY
19th March 2020
FORCE Cancer Charity has announced the temporary closure of our Support and Information Centre in Exeter. The charity will continue to offer telephone and video call support to local people affected by cancer. The decision to close our Support Centre in the grounds of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital was taken after consultation [...]
Boosting your immune system
19th March 2020
While our face-to-face support is temporarily suspended, FORCE Oncology Physiotherapist Louise Ballagher has advice on ways to keep your immune system strong during this Coronavirus/Covid19 outbreak. Exercise regularly Exercise, preferably something aerobic that gets the heart working harder, can improve the immune system. We can achieve this by walking outdoors, while always being mindful of [...]
The Nello
The 22nd Nello bike ride will take place on Sunday 27th June 2021
