Jo is part of our Active Recovery programme, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer 18 months ago, aged just 38.

On finishing her active treatment in June 2022, she asked the hospital for advice about how to get active again, and was referred to Active Recovery.

When she met with the team she was able to speak through her worries, particularly around protecting her left arm as this is where she had had surgery. Knowing she was speaking to staff who had specialist advice regarding exercise following treatment and surgery put her mind at rest.

Jo was motivated to get active again as she is getting married in June of this year, and was interested by Pilates and DanceFit that are sessions on the programme, as she used to dance when she was younger.

She found the Pilates sessions really important for strengthening and conditioning, her balance off after having operation on one side of body and she found the exercise to really help to give her back more movement.

Now back at work, Jo can’t attend all the sessions she originally took part in, but the team have produced personalised exercise plans for her, and as she works in a school, she plans to pop in to the DanceFit and Pilates sessions in the school holidays.

Jo said: “The programme has brought me a level of confidence to move forwards. If you didn’t have this intermediary programme, where the people totally understand what you’re going through, it would have been a scary process to re-engage in activity again.

“I love the sessions I attended but there really is something for everyone, from walking groups to catching up over cake and coffee, which is just as important as the physical activity.

“The first time I came to a session, I felt ‘enveloped’ by the group. They took me in and made sure I was being looked after. Everyone is so caring.

“Many people assume that cancer mainly affects older people, so when I was diagnosed at 38 I didn’t know what sort of support was available, but through this programme and Macmillan’s Moving Forward group I have met so many women in the same position, and the more who know about Active Recovery, the better.”

Jo’s story is an important reminder for women of all ages to be aware of their bodies, and this International Women’s Day we’re inspired by the progress she has made to get to her ‘new normal’. We’re continuing to support Jo through exercise plans on the run up to her big day this June, and are thrilled that the programme has given her the confidence to get back in the gym and embracing physical activity.