One-to-One 'Buddy' Support
Talk to someone who has been there...
Considering or recovering from breast reconstruction can bring many questions, emotions and uncertainties. Sometimes, talking to someone who has been through a similar experience can make all the difference.
Keeping Abreast offers free one-to-one peer support for people considering, preparing for or recovering from breast reconstruction. Our Buddy Service connects you with a trained volunteer who has personal experience of breast reconstruction and understands some of the challenges you may be facing.
Whether you are deciding about reconstruction, preparing for surgery, recovering afterwards or facing further procedures, our volunteers are here to listen, share their experiences and help you feel less alone.
How can a buddy help?
Our volunteers can:
- Listen and offer emotional support
- Share their own experience of breast reconstruction
- Offer practical tips and reassurance
- Help you feel more prepared and less alone
- Help you think about questions to ask your clinical team
- Signpost you to further information and support
Our buddies understand that sometimes you simply want to talk to someone who has been there.
Support that works for you
Where possible, we will try to connect you with someone whose experience is relevant to your own situation.
This may include someone with experience of:
- Different types of breast reconstruction
- Immediate or delayed reconstruction
- Recovery following surgery
Revision or further reconstruction surgery - Different stages of the breast reconstruction journey
Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and experiences, and we will always do our best to provide support that feels relevant and helpful to you.
Support may be available by phone, email, video call or face-to-face.
A note about our support
Our buddies provide lived-experience and peer support. They cannot offer medical advice or recommend treatment. For medical questions, please speak to your clinical team.
You do not have to go through breast reconstruction alone
Talk to someone who understands.
Link to Request One-to-One Support – online form or email.
Interested? Get in touch...
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About Us
Keeping Abreast was established in September 2007 by patients Anna Beckingham and Beverley Birritteri and Breast Reconstruction nurse specialist Ruth Harcourt. They recognised a great need for women, both newly diagnosed with breast cancer and facing the possibility of mastectomy, and also women further down the line who are also considering reconstructive surgery, to be able to meet and talk to other women who have been through similar experiences. This allows women make an informed choice about whether or not to proceed with breast reconstruction.
© 2025 © Keeping Abreast Breast Cancer Reconstruction Support Group, registered charity number: 1129522. Registered office: M&A Partners, 7 The Close, Norwich, NR1 4DJ