Nobody

Should Face

Cancer Alone

A white background with a few lines on it

Who are we?

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, is dedicated to a single mission: ensuring that no one faces cancer alone.


We provide a comprehensive range of support services to help navigate cancer. Whether you need family support, financial guidance, assistance with transport, housing, or counselling, we are here for you.


We offer support and advice for people living across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board areas.

In Cwm Taf Morgannwg, this includes: Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Ogmore Valley, Garw Valley, and Llynfi Valley.

In Aneurin Bevan, this includes: Rhymney, Tredegar, Ebbw Vale, Brynmawr, Blaenavon, Blackwood, Bargoed, and Ystrad Mynach.

A green line drawing of a house in a circle.
A wallet with a stack of coins next to it.
A green line drawing of a car with a taxi cab on top of it.
A green line drawing of a family hugging each other.

I am

facing cancer.

Facing cancer can be overwhelming, but you’re not alone.
 We're here to support you, no matter your circumstances, with personalised help tailored to your needs. Whether you need expert advice, a compassionate listener, emotional support, or practical assistance, we're by your side. We believe no one should face cancer alone, and we're here to ensure you never have to.

Someone I know is facing cancer.

Supporting a loved one with cancer can be challenging.

We’re here to support you with resources and guidance, helping you be there for your loved one in the best way possible. Whether it’s arranging transport so you don’t need to take too much time off work, or simply offering a friendly face to talk to, we're here for everyone navigating a cancer diagnosis. We believe no one should face cancer alone, and we’re here to ensure you never have to

A white background with a few lines on it

Housing

Housing can be a challenge for many when facing a cancer diagnosis. We can provide advice and help you deal with the relevant associations if you need to make housing adjustments due to your diagnosis.

A white background with a few lines on it

Financial

Dealing with a diagnosis can be overwhelming, and financial concerns can add to the burden. We're here to help ease that load by guiding you to grants, benefits and other financial resources that may help you.

A white background with a few lines on it

Emotional & Family

Cancer often impacts not just the person diagnosed but also their loved ones. We can connect you to free local counselling services, support groups, and one-on-one sessions designed to help you manage the emotional challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis.

A white background with a few lines on it

Transport

Getting to doctors' appointments and hospital visits can be difficult, we will help you access support, such as driver schemes and other local transport networks that may be able to help you in your local area.

Video

Nobody Should Face

Cancer Alone

"CRT's role is trying to pull everyone together to get the change we need for people living with cancer."

Meet

our link workers

and find out more.

Link workers are the heart and soul of CRT Together, dedicated to connecting our participants to right support for them. Whether it’s through a meeting in the community or a friendly phone call, they are here to offer personalised support and guidance in whichever way works best for you.

Talk to a Link Worker

Breaking Barriers to Recovery – 5K Your Way in Maesteg

by Adam Downey • 7 August 2025
Thanks to a £1,000 grant from the Breaking Barriers Fund, sessions in Maesteg are now helping local people affected by cancer access gentle, supportive, and empowering exercise through their local parkrun. The group is aimed at those undergoing treatment, survivors, family members, and even local healthcare professionals. The importance of staying active after a cancer diagnosis is well established. Regular, gentle exercise has been shown to reduce cancer-related fatigue, improve physical strength and mobility, and boost overall wellbeing. MOVE Against Cancer’s 5K Your Way programme brings this to life in a friendly, welcoming way that breaks down barriers to participation – especially vital in areas like Maesteg, which faces some of the highest cancer inequalities in Wales. Michelle, one of the Maesteg group’s volunteer ambassadors, shares her story: “I’ve been an active participant at parkrun for more than 10 years. I have complex health conditions, and last year I was also diagnosed with cancer. Attending parkrun has always been an important part of my self-management, so I was delighted to be asked to volunteer as an ambassador for 5K Your Way. I find volunteering extremely rewarding – walking and talking with many participants, including those affected by cancer. Parkrun is far more than a 5K run or walk – it’s social contact, being part of a community, being outdoors in the fresh air. Cancer and chronic health conditions can be very isolating. Isolation can quickly lead to a loss in confidence and increased anxiety. 5K Your Way supports people to take that first step back into community life, and I look forward to each session – it gives me real satisfaction to know that my presence might be helping others.” What’s next? The Maesteg group runs on the last Saturday of each month at the Maesteg Welfare Park parkrun, and is open to anyone affected by cancer. Whether you want to run, walk, or simply come along for a cuppa and chat – you’ll be warmly welcomed. Follow the group's Facebook page here to keep up to date.

Celebrating Community, Connection, and Cancer Support – CRT Together Annual Event

by Adam Downey • 11 May 2025
Last month, we brought people together from across South Wales for our CRT Together Annual Celebration Event — a heartwarming day filled with inspiration, community spirit, and stories of real impact. This event wasn’t just about looking back — although we’ve got a lot to be proud of! It was a chance to reflect on a powerful year of work supporting people affected by cancer across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg area. We heard moving stories from some of the individuals we've supported, reminding us exactly why this work matters. Each voice highlighted the importance of human connection, personalised support, and having someone in your corner when it’s needed most. We were also joined by health professionals, volunteers, partners, and community groups who have been a key part of our journey so far — and who continue to help us grow stronger together. Here's a video capturing a year of impact within our communities:

CRT & Macmillan Supporting Wales Together

by CRT Together • 17 March 2025
Our Partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support At CRT, we are proud to be funded by Macmillan Cancer Support , an organisation dedicated to ensuring that everyone affected by cancer receives the help they need. As our programme continues to grow, we are reaching more individuals and families across our communities, many of whom face significant barriers when trying to access essential cancer support services. Our mission is to bridge this gap, whether it's practical assistance, financial guidance, or emotional support, we want to ensure that people in these communities know we are here to help. By working together, we can connect individuals with the vital services often already available to them, making it easier for people with cancer and their loved ones to cope without unnecessary stress or isolation. Why Macmillan has funded this project Macmillan Cancer Support chose to partner with our programme because they recognise the severe health inequalities that exist in South Wales, particularly in former mining communities. The statistics speak for themselves: Cancer incidence rates are significantly higher in these regions. Life expectancy is lower compared to the national average. Many individuals in these areas face multiple barriers when trying to access healthcare, support, and financial aid. Macmillan shares our commitment to reducing these disparities and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to the cancer care they deserve. Through this partnership, we are actively working to break down obstacles, provide direct support, and create a stronger, more informed community that knows where to turn for help.  Macmillan highlights our partnership Recently, Jenny Savage, Digital Content Editor at Macmillan , wrote an article about our partnership, highlighting why this collaboration is so important in the effort to ensure that "Nobody Should Face Cancer Alone" across Wales and the wider UK. Her piece sheds light on th e unique challenges faced by individuals in our communities and how our joint efforts are h elping to provide much-needed support. 🔗 Read the full article here We are incredibly grateful for Macmillan’s continued support and look forward to expanding our impact even further in the months ahead. If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch—we are here for you. Together, we will make a difference. 💚

Some of the kind words our team have received

"It was very helpful and I felt a lot better and positive going forward. Thank you again for your help and for guiding me to the right place."

"Thank you again means so much that there was someone there to help us."

"Thank you for today it means a lot having someone to talk to and not being judged"