What Cancer Support UK does

Cancer Support UK is a UK-registered charity (Charity No. 1105703 England and Wales; SC039731 Scotland), founded in 2004 and operating with 21 employees and no government funding. It provides practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer during and after treatment through three core service lines: Cancer Coach (facilitated peer support groups delivered by phone and online video, a 12-module e-learning programme, focused workshops, and family/men's support sessions), Cancer Kits (free physical kits including Chemo Kits, Cancer Kits, Kids' Kits, and Comfort Kits for over-65s, with 2,760 distributed in H1 2024), and Workplace Cancer Support Training (priced seminars, workshops, ambassador training at £150–£975 per session, and subscription e-learning modules for organisations). Technology is operational rather than proprietary — service delivery runs on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and an in-house e-learning platform, with a new digital wellbeing checker (Cancer Compass) launched March 2024 to route users to appropriate services.

The revenue model is hybrid for a non-profit: individual donations and grants (e.g., £48,941 from Walk the Walk, £1,500 from Tesco) form the foundation, complemented by a £10/month Cancer Support Lottery subscription, fee-based corporate training delivered directly to enterprise buyers and via Ticket Tailor open enrollment, and a profit-share affiliate partnership with Warmies (Bat Cat product). Customer segments are diversified: free services are delivered to cancer survivors, patients, children, and family members; commercial revenue is generated from employers and organisations across multiple sectors (Unilever, Mondelez, BDO, First Central, NHS Trusts, MoD, British Transport Police). Distribution combines digital self-service, healthcare professional referrals (NHS nurses, oncologists), direct B2B corporate sales, direct-mail kit fulfilment, and a lottery subscription channel, all confined to a single UK market.

The organisation has stated a mission to improve the lives of 1 million people impacted by cancer by 2028, supported by recent enterprise wins (Barts Health NHS Trust as official training provider, Sep 2024) and product expansion into corporate wellbeing (partnership with The Wellbeing Project, Sep 2023).

Name

Cancer Support UK

Legal name

Cancer Support UK

Website

https://cancersupportuk.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cancer Support UK is a UK-registered charity (founded 2004, 21 employees) providing free emotional and practical support to cancer patients and survivors through Cancer Coach peer support groups, free Cancer Kits, and fee-based Workplace Cancer Support Training for employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (62419)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Palliative Care, Hospice & Serious Illness Support (BPAGACAK), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Cancer support services
• Peer support groups
• Workplace cancer training
• Practical support kits
• Emotional wellbeing programs

Headquarters

HQ city

United Kingdom

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The charity relies heavily on donations from individuals, trust and grant awards, legacy donations, and fundraising events. As a small charity with no government funding, donations are the primary revenue source.
2. Lottery: Cancer Support Lottery - monthly subscription at £10 per month. Players can win up to £25,000 in the Big Monthly Draw plus weekly Fab Friday prizes up to £250. Includes free Gourmet Society membership worth £5.99/month.
3. Workplace Training: Fee-for-service training courses sold to employers. Course fees range from £150 to £975 per session/delegate depending on course type and format. Also includes e-learning licensing to organizations.
4. Product Partnership (Bat Cat): Partnership with Warmies for Bat Cat product. All profits from sales of Bat Cat (a Warmies heatable teddy based on a child's Dream Bestie design) go to Cancer Support UK.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cancer Support UK is a UK-registered charity providing free practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer, during and after treatment. Its core offerings are Cancer Coach (free facilitated peer support groups and digital e-learning programmes for post-treatment survivors), Cancer Kits (free physical kits including Chemo Kits, Cancer Kits, Kids' Kits, and Comfort Kits sent to patients), and Workplace Cancer Support Training (fee-based seminars, workshops, ambassador training, and e-learning modules sold to employers to help them support employees and customers affected by cancer).

Product overview

Cancer Support UK offers a unified portfolio of practical and emotional support services for people affected by cancer. The core offerings consist of Cancer Coach (a suite of peer support services including peer support groups, digital e-learning modules, focused workshops, and family support sessions), Cancer Kits (free physical kits including Chemo Kits, general Cancer Kits, Kids' Kits, and Comfort Kits for over 65s), and Workplace Cancer Support Training (corporate training courses including seminars, workshops, ambassador training, and e-learning modules). Additionally, Cancer Compass provides an online wellbeing assessment tool. These services work together to support cancer patients during treatment, post-treatment emotional recovery, and to help employers support affected colleagues. The organisation is a charity receiving no government funding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cancer Coach: Free support group programme for people who have completed cancer treatment, held over the phone and online video, run by trained facilitators over 6 weeks
• Cancer Kits
• Workplace Cancer Support Training
• Cancer Compass

Products and services

• Cancer Coach Peer Support Group Free six-week facilitated peer support programme for adults who have completed cancer treatment (stage 1-3), held over the phone or online video, led by trained facilitators with lived cancer experience.
• Cancer Coach Digital Interactive e-learning digital programme with 12 individual modules covering post-treatment emotional challenges including grief, types of thinking, relaxation, and breathing techniques, designed for self-paced completion.
• Cancer Coach Focus Forwards One-hour interactive Zoom workshop for adults who have completed cancer treatment, helping them move forward with confidence by addressing common post-treatment emotions and teaching anxiety-management techniques.
• Cancer Coach Friends and Family Support One-hour online support session designed specifically for friends and family members supporting someone living with or beyond cancer, providing guidance, reassurance and connection through shared experience.
• Cancer Coach Men's Drop-In Sessions Online drop-in sessions for men experiencing emotional difficulties after cancer treatment, with a different topic each month, led by experienced facilitator Martin.
• Chemo Kits Free kits designed specifically for people undergoing chemotherapy, containing items to offset side effects including cold hands and feet, nausea, and sensitive teeth.
• Cancer Kits (General) Free kits for adults undergoing cancer treatment other than chemotherapy, containing practical items such as puzzle books, relaxing pillow spray, and toiletries for use on the go.
• Kids' Kits Free kits for children living with cancer and undergoing treatment, containing small toys, colouring sets, cosy socks, and antibacterial wipes for entertainment and comfort during hospital visits.
• Comfort Kits Free kits for older cancer patients aged 65 and above, containing warmth and comfort items including heat pads to ease treatment-related aches and a travel pillow.
• Introduction to Communicating About Cancer One-hour seminar providing a high-level introduction to cancer in the workplace for whole organisations, covering cancer types, treatment side effects, and supportive conversation techniques. Priced at £500+VAT.
• Communicating About Cancer Workshop Two-hour workshop for managers and colleagues of people living with cancer, building understanding of cancer's physical and emotional impact, improving listening skills, and providing tools for supportive discussions. Priced at £975+VAT for up to 12 delegates.
• Workplace Cancer Support Ambassador Training Half-day workshop equipping individuals with knowledge and tools to provide emotional support to colleagues affected by cancer, similar to a Mental Health First Aider role, with access to the Champions Network. From £150 per person +VAT (min 5, max 12).
• Vulnerable Customer Workshop Bespoke half-day course for customer-facing teams to understand cancer's impact on vulnerable customers, tailored to organisation's specific requirements with custom scenarios. Priced at £300 per delegate +VAT (min 6, max 12).
• Communicating About Cancer E-learning 30-40 minute self-learning module enabling employees to increase understanding of cancer, treatments, and their effects, including practical exercises and signposting resources. Pricing dependent on organisation size, with free trial available.
• Vulnerable Customer E-learning 40-50 minute self-learning course for customer-facing teams to better understand vulnerable clients with cancer and manage difficult conversations appropriately.
• Cancer Compass Online wellbeing checker tool that helps people living with or beyond cancer check their emotional wellbeing in just a few seconds and identifies which Cancer Support UK services may be appropriate for them.
• Cancer Support Lottery Monthly lottery subscription at £10 per month, offering chances to win up to £25,000 in the Big Monthly Draw plus weekly Fab Friday prizes up to £250, with proceeds supporting Cancer Support UK's services. Includes free Gourmet Society membership.
• Bat Cat (Dream Bestie) Warmable cuddly toy created from a child cancer patient's Dream Bestie competition entry, manufactured and sold by Warmies with all profits going to Cancer Support UK.

Quantifiable outcome

• 55% of Cancer Coach participants say they need more support at work
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WarmiescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to create Dream Bestie competition winner Bat Cat as a real cuddly toy. Warmies manufactures and sells the Bat Cat product, with all profits going to Cancer Support UK. Bat Cat won the Create Your Dream Bestie competition created by a child with cancer.
• Barts Health NHS TrustcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2024NHS Trust appointed Cancer Support UK as official provider of workplace cancer support training. 21,000 NHS employees can access Cancer Support UK's innovative online training course to help colleagues support others facing a cancer diagnosis.
• Lisa DawsonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2024Style influencer and breast cancer survivor championing Cancer Support UK, passionate about improving cancer awareness and mental health support.
• The Wellbeing ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023Global wellbeing consultancy partnership to help organisations support those impacted by cancer in the workplace. The Wellbeing Project has been creating healthy workplace cultures for over 15 years. Partnership addresses increasing numbers of people needing support while facing cancer in the workplace.
• Sally Gunnell OBEminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2023Olympic Champion and Health and Wellbeing advocate supporting Cancer Support UK's mission to help those impacted by cancer in the workplace.
• Thames Ditton Lawn Tennis ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2023Local tennis club chose Cancer Support UK as its charity for the next two years, supporting fundraising efforts.
• The Dorset Cancer Care FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Partnership to increase awareness of financial and emotional support available to cancer patients in Dorset. Focuses on stress and mental health challenges facing cancer patients post treatment.
• Yorkshire Cancer CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Collaborative partnership for the benefit of people in Yorkshire affected by cancer.
• Cancer52minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2022Cancer Support UK became a member of Cancer52, an umbrella charity representing over 100 charities and patient organisations united by a vision for better futures for those affected by rare and less common cancers.
• Clothes AidminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClothing collection partner allowing supporters to donate clothes as a way to raise funds for Cancer Support UK.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Young Lives vs Cancer: UK charity (formerly CLIC Sargent) supporting children and young people with cancer and their families. Comparable as a UK cancer charity providing practical and emotional support, but focused specifically on under-25s.
• Trekstock: UK charity supporting young adults in their 20s and 30s living with and beyond cancer through in-person and digital programmes. Closely comparable niche cancer support remit and digital delivery model, but narrower age segment.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: The UK's largest cancer charity, providing practical, emotional, and financial support to people with cancer. Directly comparable as a UK-wide cancer support provider, but with vastly larger scale, paid services, and a broader remit that includes financial advice and clinical information.
• Maggie's: UK charity operating centres that provide free emotional, practical, and social support to people with cancer and their families. Comparable because of its cancer-specific emotional support focus, though delivered through physical drop-in centres rather than digital peer groups.
• Penny Brohn UK: UK charity providing free, personalised wellbeing support to people with cancer, focused on mind-body approaches. Comparable as a specialist cancer emotional support provider, with overlapping free group and one-to-one service offerings.
• Look Good Feel Better UK: UK charity providing free wellbeing workshops for people undergoing cancer treatment, focused on managing the visible side effects of treatment. Comparable as a free, in-person and digital cancer wellbeing service provider.

Broad incumbents

• Cancer Research UK: The world's largest independent cancer research charity, also providing patient information and some support services. Overlaps with Cancer Support UK in the cancer patient support space but is primarily research-focused and orders of magnitude larger.
• Movember Foundation: Global charity addressing men's health issues including prostate and testicular cancer. Comparable as a cancer charity with workplace engagement programmes, though focused on men and with a much larger international footprint.
• Bowel Cancer UK: UK charity dedicated to bowel cancer awareness, research, and patient support. Comparable as a single-disease UK cancer charity, though focused on a specific cancer type and combining support with research and advocacy.

Others

• Cancer52: UK umbrella coalition of more than 100 charities focused on rare and less common cancers, of which Cancer Support UK is a member. Comparable as a sector ecosystem body that influences policy and collaboration among cancer charities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCj5Qje_BNj9PHGabZup5U-A/?sub_confirmation=1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cancer-support-uk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cancer Support UK