FAQs

Chai’s services are available from 11 centres across the country including North and South Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool, Birmingham, Redbridge, Southend and North West and South London and Hackney. Find your nearest Chai centre here or please call our confidential Freephone number 0808 808 4567. 

We also provide a Home Support Service in areas within geographical reach of a Chai site when it’s not possible for a client to come to us. In addition some services are available nationally and internationally, via telephone or Microsoft Teams.

You can walk into our Chai centre in North West London and in North Manchester but to ensure we see you without delay, we recommend calling ahead.

Please call our Freephone number 0808 808 4567 to get in touch.

We respond to every call within 24 hours to arrange a first consultation with one of our client services managers. This will be at a Chai centre or in your home, hospital or hospice.

You can come at any time from the point of diagnosis, following surgery or after your treatment has finished. We also support family members and friends affected by a loved one’s diagnosis.

Yes, Chai supports family members, friends, work colleagues and communal organisations.

Yes. Whether you are considering finding out if you are a BRCA gene carrier, or have been tested positive and want to explore your options, we provide support in a one-to-one counselling, or group setting.

Please call our Freephone number 0808 808 4567 for more information.

Every case is different and we require written permission from your consultant before beginning any complementary treatments.

Yes, a client services manager can visit you at home and set up individualised therapies for you delivered through our Home Support service.

Your client services manager will regularly discuss with you the services you are receiving to ensure they are the most beneficial for your needs. As these change, different services may be suggested that are appropriate.

Wherever possible we try to accommodate specific requests.

Children can be seen at their school during the day through our Chai in Schools service or our volunteers can bring children to a Chai centre. All our volunteers have enhanced DBS-checks.

Many of our complementary therapies can help ease the side effects of cancer treatment and surgery. In addition, you may be referred to Our Medical Outpatient Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Service, which provides a multi-disciplinary approach for unmanageable symptoms resulting from treatment, including pain management.

We cannot make third party calls. The first contact with Chai needs to be made by the person themselves. We can however provide you with leaflets about our services to give to people who may not know about them. Please call 020 8202 2211.

Our volunteers can assist clients by driving them to and from Chai centres and for hospital appointments.

No, Chai’s services are free to anyone in the Jewish community affected by cancer. We receive no statutory funding and rely on donations. All support is deeply appreciated and if you’d like to donate, click here.

We currently provide services on a Monday evening at our Hendon centre. 

Chai provides clients with a range of groups, which currently include mindfulness, meditation, BRCA gene support, yoga, lifestyle, pilates, bereavement, breast buddies. We also offer art, jewellery-making and music workshops as well as social events. To find out about groups in your area, please see our Locations & Services.

Our Image Resource Service offers confidential and specialist advice on a range of sensitive image concerns including underwear, hair loss and wigs, nail care and semi-permanent make up. Clients can see consultants in our dedicated space in Hendon and also book make up lessons. Phone consultations are available for clients outside London. Please call 020 8202 2211.

We do not provide wigs, but our Image Resource Service can advise on where to buy wigs and alternative hair coverings. Please call 020 8202 2211. 

Not at all, most people self-refer.

There is on-site parking for clients at our Hendon centre with reserved spaces near the buildings for those people who are unable to walk very far. 

Yes, Hendon and North Manchester centres are purpose-built buildings and all our centres provide disability access and facilities in line with current legislation. 

Yes, our Advocacy service provides comprehensive advice on means-tested and non-means-tested benefits you may be entitled to. We can also help you complete the application forms.  Please call 020 8202 2211. 

The Advocacy service can connect you to a number of specialist advisers to help answer questions you may have as a result of a cancer diagnosis. Please call 020 8202 2211. 

We provide up to date information on entitlements and can assist in completing applications for statutory services and care. 

Yes, we know a number of travel insurance companies who cover people with pre-existing conditions. Please call 020 8202 2211. 

Blue badges are generally available from your Local Authority. Our Advocacy service can advise on eligibility and help you to apply for one. Please call 020 8202 2211.

Chai supports anyone in the community affected by a cancer diagnosis whether they are the patient, a family member or close friend/colleague. Our support also extends to staff in schools and communal organisations.

No. We are here for the whole spectrum of the Jewish community.

Absolutely – we welcome anyone to our lectures. We simply ask that you reserve your space in advance so we can provide sufficient seating.

You can do it in a variety of ways:

• Online via our Donate page using a credit or debit card.

• By telephone Call London: 020 8202 2211 or Manchester: 0161 772 4760

• By post. Please make cheques payable to ‘Chai Cancer Care’ and address to Chai Cancer Care, 142-146 Great North Way, London, NW4 1EH

We accept cash donations, all major credit/debit cards, online and over the telephone. You can also send cheques and use Charity Vouchers. Payments/vouchers should be made to ‘Chai Cancer Care’ and posted to Chai Cancer Care, 142-146 Great North Way, London, NW4 1EH

Your donation is logged on a donor register in our secure database. We write to acknowledge receipt of your donation. However, if you supply us with your email address, this helps us save on postage for issuing receipts.

We follow current legislation regarding data protection. You can read a copy of our Privacy Policy here.

In as many ways as you can think of! Just decide what you want to do: a sporting challenge or organising a bridge competition, bake or craft sale, hosting a party or taking a table at our Annual Dinner. 

Encourage support for your fundraising venture among friends, family, colleagues and peers. You can set up a fundraising page on Just Giving where you’ll also find tips on telling your fundraising story and how to raise even more money. Or start a committee with a strong theme. 

For more information and inspiration, please visit this page or call our fundraising team on 020 8202 2211.

The easiest way to be sponsored for Chai is to set up a fundraising page on Just Giving. They now allow donors to cover the cost of the fees meaning more of your sponsorship money goes to Chai. 

For more information or for help with sponsored events and setting up a fundraising page, please visit this page or call Lucy Hayim on 020 8457 3394 or email lucy.hayim@chaicancercare.org

Our current committees create a varied and stimulating mix of events and we’re always delighted to suggest – and receive – ideas for new committees. Our fundraising department can advise you on all aspects of running an event.

For more information, please call Caroline Tunkel on 020 8457 3233 or email carolinetunkel@chaicancercare.org

Anyone can hold an event for Chai, you don’t have to join a committee. Your event can be any size: a sponsored haircut, a coffee morning, an exclusive concert or a party for hundreds… We’ll support you however we can (including holding your event at a Chai centre). We can provide Chai literature, collection boxes and pledge cards if you request them.

Whether small or large scale, the donations from your event ensure our services can continue to be there for the thousands who turn to us every year. Please click here for more information.

Yes. We run campaigns and events to support specific services and if you want to donate to a particular project, just let us know.

Absolutely, it’s wonderful to know you’re thinking of donating to Chai. We have smart Occasions Cards you distribute at your simcha or send out with your invitations. Or simply include our donation details with your invitation. We do not disclose individual amounts given but we will keep you informed of the donors’ names and total raised.

For more information, please click here or call Jacki Stanton on 020 8457 3231 or email jackistanton@chaicancercare.org

Our volunteers contribute so much to Chai and what we are able to provide for clients. As long as you meet our volunteering criteria, we’d love to welcome you to our team. Please click here for more information.

We don’t provide legal advice on legacies but can put you in contact with a number of solicitors to consult. Remembering Chai Cancer Care in your will helps ensure future generations of cancer patients and their families have somewhere to turn to for support. Should you wish tell us of your intention, we would be pleased to discuss ways to acknowledge your legacy during your lifetime. To find out more please visit this page or email Emma Byre on emmabyre@chaicancercare.org.