About C.A.R.S.

Everyone, whatever their circumstances, should be able to access free support to improve their wellbeing after a cancer diagnosis — and achieve the best quality of life possible.

That belief has shaped the charity since 2016. Bringing together people who have travelled similar journeys, sharing experiences and taking part in rehabilitative physical activity improves health, confidence, self-esteem, physical being and spirit — and builds brighter futures.

A monthly community cancer hub: adults of mixed ages talking over mugs of tea around a table in a Leicestershire community centre — A monthly community cancer hub — information, guest speakers and a friendly cup of tea.

Mission

Through exercise activities, we inspire and empower those receiving a cancer diagnosis and living with cancer to improve their wellbeing.

Vision

That everyone — whatever their age, gender, health or finances — achieves a better quality of life.

Goals

To keep providing free, structured physical rehabilitation programmes; to work with participants adaptively, creatively and with empathy; to help every participant improve their confidence and wellbeing; and to collaborate with other charities and research to keep improving.

Our programmes

A stepping stone between the clinic and the community

Our educational, holistic approach gives people physical exercise suited to their condition, an understanding of long-term condition management, and a support network in their own community.

Breast cancer rehabilitation

In the Pink

Free to every participant

Getting the all-clear from breast cancer is the start, not the end, of recovery. Scar tissue, lost muscle strength and a body that feels different make everyday things — reaching a cup from the cupboard, picking up a grandchild, washing your hair — harder than they used to be.

In the Pink is a physical rehabilitation programme tailored to exactly those needs. Working in small groups with trained teachers experienced in supporting women treated for breast cancer, participants rebuild fitness, range of movement and confidence — and, often, discover activities they had never tried. C.A.R.S. procures the programme so that it is free of charge to every woman who takes part.

Prostate Active Living Support

P.A.L.S.

Piloted from 2025

Men living with the outcomes of prostate cancer treatment can face continence issues, fatigue, pain and a knock to self-confidence that is hard to talk about with friends, family or even a GP.

Prostate Active Living Support (P.A.L.S.) uses exercise and activity in small groups to help men manage side-effects, regain fitness and take back control. Piloted from 2025, it follows in the footsteps of In the Pink, uses the same experienced teachers, and is free.

Monthly drop-in support

Community cancer hubs

6 hubs across Leicestershire

Our community cancer support hubs are public drop-in spaces embedded in local communities — a focal point for anyone affected by cancer, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond, including families and carers.

Each hub meets monthly and brings together charities, community groups and healthcare professionals: guest speakers, information and signposting, a safe space to share experiences, and a friendly cup of tea. Hubs currently run in Moira (North West Leicestershire), Hinckley, Leicester, Loughborough, Melton Mowbray and Market Harborough.

Confidence, friendship, new activities

Wellbeing and peer support

30 volunteers give their time

Our founding purpose — the preservation and protection of good health of people living with or in remission from life-changing conditions — extends beyond exercise to nutritional support, wellbeing support and peer support.

Participants build a network within their own community: friendships that outlast the programme, the confidence to return to leisure-centre classes or activity at home, and the sense that recovery is something shared rather than faced alone.

Governance

How the charity is run

C.A.R.S. is a charitable incorporated organisation (foundation model) governed by a voluntary board of trustees who meet quarterly. The board is currently chaired by Lesley Milner, with Russell Scott-Worthington leading on governance. Every trustee plays an active role — giving talks, attending networking events, fundraising and visiting programmes to meet participants.

Trustees are responsible for ensuring the charity carries out its purposes for the public benefit, complies with its governing document and the law, acts in the charity’s best interests, manages its resources responsibly and remains accountable. Day-to-day coordination and teaching is led by our Charity Coordinator, supported by guest teachers with backgrounds in exercise and around thirty volunteers.

We are committed to safeguarding every participant, volunteer and staff member, and to handling concerns and complaints openly under our published complaints policy. Because we work with people during a vulnerable time in their lives, all programme teachers are experienced in post-treatment recovery, and sessions are kept small.

The community lottery is run by the charity itself as a small society lottery under the Gambling Act 2005; the responsible person, licence route and registration reference are stated on the online lottery page and in the lottery terms.

Registration

On the record

Legal name: Cancer Active Recovery Support
Registered charity number: 1201440 (England and Wales)
Legal form: Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered 22 December 2022
Formerly: Supporting Confidence Through Exercise (SCTE), charity no. 1169791, registered 2016
Principal office: Lavender House, 21 Pickerings Avenue, Measham, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE12 7SB
Area of benefit: Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire

Our entry on the Charity Commission register is public at register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk (search 1201440). We follow the Code of Fundraising Practice in all our fundraising.

Years supporting recovery (since 2016): 10
Monthly community cancer hubs: 6
Volunteers (Charity Commission register): 30
Counties served: 4