Having the support of your friends during life’s most challenging moments can often be the difference between making it through and not – that’s certainly been the case for best friends Ellen Toplass and Catherine Riddy.

“I went for a routine mammogram screening test in January 2019, and when the letter came through the post, I knew something was wrong” Explains 66-year-old Ellen.

“I knew straight away that something wasn’t right, the size of the envelope was a giveaway as it was packed with information – I was devasted, I didn’t really know how to feel. Cath was the first person I called”

The duo first met when they worked as nurses at the Grove Hospital in Shardlow many years ago and in the years which followed, became really close friends – so when 64-year-old Catherine found out she could also join the Active Recovery programme as part of the buddy system, she didn’t hesitate in finding another way to support her friend.

“As a close friend of someone going through this unpredictable journey, I can honestly say that Active Recovery is invaluable, it’s such an amazing support network.

“It’s a very positive programme about being a survivor, helping people and it doesn’t dwell on the negative things which I think is really important.

“The last year or so has been challenging for everybody, however I believe the Trust and its staff were absolutely amazing through lockdown in making sessions virtual, it allowed everyone to connect and kept that contact going, which was brilliant for me to know my friend had support from others in a similar position to her” added Catherine.

The Active Recovery programme was already known to Ellen, who was going to attend as a buddy to another friend prior to receiving her own diagnosis, and now regularly attends three sessions per week including circuits and fitness yoga.

“The support that’s there is just brilliant because it gets you out and doing something – I’ve really enjoyed meeting everyone, helping to support other participants as well as having the support myself. 

“The social benefits are really key, it’s a really supportive network here, you can pick up the phone after a bad day and know that whoever is on the other end has experienced similar and talk through things.

“Zoom was also a godsend in lockdown, I’d have gone stir crazy without it as I was shielding alone, my daughter dropped my shopping off and ran down the drive, it was heartbreak at times so when the time came for virtual sessions, it gave you a much-needed lift.

“Had the sessions not been there, I think I’d have got quite depressed, they [the sessions] puts a stop to that in being able to meet others”

Active Recovery was launched in 2017 in partnership between Derby County Community Trust and the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton Trust.

It aims to support those who have undergone cancer treatment to regain confidence, fitness and strength which can all be affected by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Active Recovery