Macmillan Support Line

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, we’ll listen.
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How our support line can help you

Our trained advisors, including cancer information specialist nurses can provide emotional support and practical information about all aspects of cancer. If you have any questions or you just need someone to listen, get in touch.

You can ask us about:

How to contact a Macmillan advisor

Most people call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00 as it can be easier to discuss diagnosis, treatments or practical support in real time with a specialist.

Our support line nurses and specialists offer a different service to the Macmillan nurses who work in hospitals, hospices and in the community. We have information about how a Macmillan nurse can help you.

"That phone call was like a huge, big hug down that line. I will never forget it; I will never forget how I felt. I will never be able to thank you enough. You gave me hope and you asked me what I needed." Melanie

You can also chat online with our specialists. When chat is open you will see a 'Chat to us' icon at the bottom right of your screen. Click this to start the service. You will be asked a few questions to direct you to the best service to support you.

If you would like to send us an email please complete our online form. All emails are answered during opening hours and we will reply within two working days.

However you get in touch we will always help you get support from the relevant service. The opening times for each of our support services are listed below.

Opening times 

How do I get support if the helpline is closed?

We know that there can be times that you might need information and support when the Macmillan Support Line is closed.

What to do in an emergency

If you need emergency medical help you should talk to your doctor immediately, call 999 or go to your local hospital’s A&E department. They will understand and are trained to help.

You can also call Samaritans for free anytime on 116 123

Other ways we can help

Booklets and resources

A lady wearing glasses talks about emotional support.
Stories
 01 Dec 2022
Melanie talks about getting emotional support from Macmillan
Melanie has lived experience of cancer and has gone through the pathway of psychological services support with...

If you need help in another language 

If you need an interpreter 

If you prefer to speak to us in another language, interpreters are available. Just state, in English, the language you want to use.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing

You can ask for a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter call to be set up if you need further assistance. You can do this by emailing us or chatting with us to arrange a BSL interpreter call to be set up. Or you can have a hearing person you trust call the support line on your behalf.

Please note, it can take up to 3 working days to arrange a call. This depends on the availability of BSL interpreters and finding a time that suits you. You will need to have access to a laptop or PC, a good internet connection and a webcam. Call 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week) to find out more about this service.

For non-BSL users, you can chat online with nurses, welfare rights advisers, financial guides and cancer information specialists everyday, from 8am-8pm.

You can make text relay calls by dialling 18001 followed by 0808 808 0000. The Relay UK app is also available to download on Google Play or App Store. 

Common questions about our helpline

  • Keeping people safe
    It is important that the people who speak to us, and our colleagues on the Macmillan Support Line, feel safe. We have information about unacceptable behaviour when using the Macmillan Support Line.
  • Call recording and monitoring

    Calls to our Macmillan Support Line are confidential, but may be monitored and recorded for quality and training purposes.

  • About our call charges

    Calls to Macmillan's Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 are free on all UK landlines and UK mobile phones.

    If you are calling from a business phone, you should check with your provider whether there will be a charge for calling numbers starting with 0800 or 0808.

  • If you are calling from outside the UK

    If you're calling from outside of the UK you can contact us on +44 207 091 2230. We are unable to advise on healthcare systems overseas. Please note that calls to these numbers are not free when made from phones based outside the UK.

About our information

Calls to Macmillan's Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 are free on all UK landlines and UK mobile phones.

Calls may not be free from business accounts. You should check with your provider whether there will be a charge for calling before you make the call.

Please note that calls to these numbers are not free when made from phones based outside the UK. If you're calling from outside of the UK or your mobile is registered outside of the UK, you can contact us on +44 207 091 2230.

We are unable to advise on healthcare and welfare systems overseas.

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