Private family update · Please share only with Meredith’s Mission families

Family newsletter · November 2026

Community support for families navigating childhood cancer

Meredith’s Mission supports the whole family—children, siblings, parents and carers—from diagnosis onwards. Through practical help, creative therapies, wellbeing support and opportunities to connect, we’re here to help every member of the family feel supported and less alone.

Here’s what’s available for your family this November.

Important announcement

WhatsApp is becoming our main community channel

Going forward, we’ll use our WhatsApp groups much more actively to organise events, share reminders and post timely updates. Please join the relevant group so nobody in your family misses an opportunity.

Family WhatsApp Community

This will be our key place for event arrangements, weekly announcements, reminders, requests and useful information for Meredith’s Mission families.

Join the family group

This invitation is for registered families. Please don’t post the joining link publicly.

Dads’ Group

Our dads arrange their own hikes, social events and opportunities to connect. We want every dad in our community to know the group is here and have the opportunity to join.

Join the Dads’ Group

This invitation is for dads in Meredith’s Mission families. Please don’t post the joining link publicly.

November and December at a glance

Dates for your diary

Events are listed in date order. Where booking is needed, use the button beside the event; otherwise you’re welcome to simply come along.

10Tue · Nov
Wellbeing

Gentle Release group session

10:30am · Breathe Wellness, Parkstone

We’ll cover the cost for you and a friend. Reply to reserve your places.

Reply to book
11Wed · Nov
Fundraising & community

Haskins Quiz Night

6:00pm · Haskins Garden Centre, Ferndown

£6 per person, including a meal and the chance to win fabulous prizes. All funds raised will support Meredith’s Mission.

Ask about a place
17Tue · Nov
Family support

Family Support Morning

10:00am–12:00pm · Haskins Garden Centre Restaurant, Ferndown

Join us for coffee and mini treatments with Claire from Amethyst Touch. No booking is required.

View location
25Wed · Nov
For registered families

Haskins Evening with Santa

From 6:00pm · Haskins Garden Centre, Ferndown, BH22 9DG

A fully funded private evening with shopping, photos with Santa and special gifts. Please register so we can arrange treats for your family.

Book your family
28Sat · Nov
Community run

Final 5km of Kate’s 855-mile challenge

9:00am social run · Coffee and cakes at Pearhaus from 10:00am

Join the final 5km loop—or any distance you can manage—to celebrate the end of Kate’s 855-mile challenge for Meredith’s Mission.

Event details
15Tue · Dec
Family support

December Family Support Morning

10:00am–12:00pm · Haskins Garden Centre Restaurant, Ferndown

Come along for coffee, conversation and support with other Meredith’s Mission families.

View location

Christmas opportunities

A little extra joy for families

We know Christmas can feel very different when your child is going through cancer treatment. These opportunities are here to offer some practical support and moments of happiness.

Haskins and Meredith's Mission Santa Experience poster with the event details

Haskins Santa Experience

The private family evening is on Wednesday 25 November. Friends and extended family can also visit the public grotto evening on Thursday 26 November from 6:00pm; tickets are £5 per child.

Register for 25 November
A Discovery Village Christmas Santa experience, running 2 to 24 December

Discovery Village Santa experiences

Discovery Village has generously gifted Santa experiences to Meredith’s Mission families between 2 and 24 December.

If your family would like to attend, reply to us and we’ll arrange a separate Santa experience code for you.

Request a Santa code

The Isabel Baker Foundation

Christmas support choices

The Isabel Baker Foundation would love to bring a little extra joy to your family over the festive period. Use the form to request your personal Christmas support choice.

Request Christmas support

New ongoing partnership

Free family visits to Discovery Village

We’re delighted that Meredith’s Mission has partnered with Discovery Village as its charity partner, creating another way for our families to spend enjoyable time together.

What your family can access

Free immediate-family visits Your immediate family can visit Discovery Village free of charge using a verified family code.
Bring one child friend One child friend can join your family free of charge. If their adult comes too, the adult will need to pay.

Reply to us to request your family’s visit code. Bookings are verified with Discovery Village, so please use the code with discretion and don’t share it with others.

Request a visit code

Available throughout the year

Support for the whole family

Support is flexible and shaped around what your family needs. Use the request form below and we’ll help you find the right option.

A gentle oil-blending and relaxation therapy session

Creative and therapeutic support

From music and animal-assisted therapy to parent wellbeing and practical treatments, our aim is to give every family member space to feel supported.

Apply for support

For children and siblings

  • One-to-one music therapy, with combined or separate sibling sessions
  • Visits from Violet, our therapy dog
  • Equine-assisted therapy with Horserenity for children aged nine and over
  • Gentle Release Therapy with Claire from Amethyst Touch
  • Gentle massage and personalised oil-blending sessions to encourage relaxation and relieve stress

For parents

  • Regular Family Support Mornings
  • Funded therapy based on individual needs
  • Chiropractic treatment
  • Sports massage and hot-stone massage
  • One-to-one Gentle Release sessions
  • Funded places at local wellbeing events

Six-month funded membership at BBL Gym Poole

We’ve partnered with BBL Gym in Poole to offer parents a fully funded six-month membership. This is a pilot programme exploring whether regular gym access can support parents’ wellbeing during an incredibly demanding time. At the end, we’ll ask for brief feedback to help guide future support.

Request a membership

A quick check

Are your details up to date?

Have you changed your address or telephone number recently? We have treats and gifts coming your way over the next couple of months, and we want to make sure everything reaches the right place.

Reply to update your details

Ways to get involved

Volunteering & fundraising opportunities

For those who are at a place where they feel ready and able, we have several volunteering dates in the diary and would love some extra helping hands.

Volunteer with Meredith's Mission: give a little time and make a big difference

Give a little time

Volunteer with us

Practical help from our community makes such a difference. If you’re able to lend a hand, you can view the dates we currently need volunteers for and choose anything that suits you.

View volunteering dates

May 2027 · Fundraising challenge

National Three Peaks: 24 Hours

Join us as we take on the UK’s three highest mountains: Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon. We’ll start in Fort William, tackle Scafell Pike by night and finish our adventure in Eryri/Snowdonia National Park.

Approximately 22 miles Around 9,500 feet 15-hour target trekking time 18-hour maximum trekking time

Self-funded and charity places are now open.

Registration offer: currently 25% off the registration fee with code N3P25 at checkout.

Register for the Three Peaks