When Tricia Goddard was diagnosed with Breast Cancer three years ago, like many others who receive the diagnosis, she was frightened of what the future may hold. However, after joining Derby County Community Trust’s Active Recovery programme, the 70 year old believes having the support of others around you is key to rebuilding your confidence.

“You always know that cancer is bad but when you get the diagnosis, it’s terrible” said Tricia.

“You go through chemotherapy, operations, radiotherapy and it's just devastating, frightening and lonely. But the girls on this programme are a fantastic help because they’ve either had the same experience as you or are going through similar, so being able to talk to each other is vital.

“Talking to people that have had the same experience as you, helps to rebuild your confidence.

“I want to be better than I was before my diagnosis, I’ve done things as a result of coming here and building my confidence and fitness that I’d never have dreamt of! I’ve been on a camel, I’ve ridden a motorbike in Thailand, my life has changed completely.

“I’ve got a different mindset now and the participants and staff here have helped me to get there.”

Tricia attends a range of Active Recovery sessions three times a week and believes the variety of sessions has helped to push her into maintaining a better lifestyle

“The shock after a diagnosis is terrible, you’re taken on a journey of all of these horrible things and at the end, you’re left to rebuild your life and this helps massively, I wouldn’t want to be without it now.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women the UK with one woman diagnosed every 10 minutes, with eight out of ten cases in women being those aged 50 and above.

The Active Recovery programme supports those who have undergone cancer treatment to regain confidence, fitness and strength which can all be affected by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Weekly sessions take place across Derby and are free (for 12 months) to anyone in the five years following their treatment. Activities vary and are planned to target key areas affected by certain cancers.

Tricia added “You can’t tell people how to recover from cancer, but it’s nice to talk about it with those who understand the process and the journey – that’s what Active Recovery helps to do for you”

Active Recovery