Are you a couple affected by cancer, perhaps as a patient or as a partner? Or are you affected by some other life-threatening illness? If so, you may appreciate the support that can be found at a weekend workshop aimed at couples who find themselves facing such a situation.

"You and Me Together" workshops are organised by Judith and David Robinson, a couple who know from personal experience what it is like to "travel the cancer journey". They know that facing a life-threatening experience can place a difficult burden on any couple - however solid their relationship may have been previously. The couple had been married for 40 years when Judith had surgery for a rare form of cancer, from which she is now in total remission. 

They were already members of AME, the Association for Marriage Enrichment, where they had become a trained leader couple. Since her illness Judith has become involved with a number of patient organisations concerned with cancer. One of these is TACT - "Tackling All Cancers Together". TACT is the user group for patients from the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust, and they are sponsoring the workshops jointly with AME. 

With approximately 1,200 new cancer diagnoses at Ashford and St Peter's NHS Trust a year, a hugely significant number of patients and partners will benefit by having access, with support of the cancer specialist nurses, to this excellent initiative by Judith and David, themselves having faced cancer together. The "You & Me Together" workshops offer support for couples together facing cancer or other life-threatening illness.

Said the Trust's Lead Cancer Nurse Diane Rowe, a Macmillan sponsored post: "Recent research conducted on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support has highlighted a hidden problem- the effect of a diagnosis of cancer on relationships. A quarter (26%) of people with cancer said they experienced difficulties in their relationships with their partner as a result of their diagnosis. Furthermore, a quarter who experienced difficulties said they had broken up with their partner as a result of their cancer."

The object of the workshops is to help couples improve their communication with each other. Each workshop is for between four or six couples and is led by a trained AME leader couple. There is absolutely no pressure for people to share anything with others if they do not want to, but by listening to others and taking part in the exercises, a couple can hope to come away with their relationship strengthened by the experience.

Said Judith: "We know how much the skills we learned from AME have helped us as we travel the cancer journey, and werealised that we could share these skills with other couples facing cancer or other life-threatening illness.

"Communication is something which many couples can find difficult under normal circumstances, and even more difficult in times of real stress. A range of activities enables the couple to focus on their strengths, to express their needs and feelings to each other, and to learn how to handle differences creatively. Couples find new ways of communicating and they develop skills which lead to a deeper understanding of each other."

The Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire NHS Cancer Network together with AME, the Association for Marriage Enrichment and TACT - Tackling all Cancer together, support the weekend workshops.

The sessions are daytime only and do not involve overnight stays, although there is a nearby motel for those travellingany distance. There is normally a charge to cover food and administration costs but assistance is available for couples on low incomes. The Association for Marriage Enrichment is a registered charity and leaders are not paid. Help is available with transport.

Workshops are planned for the weekends of 11-13 May, 22-24 June and 4-5 August. They begin on Friday evening and end on Sunday afternoon.

To find out more, go to: www.ame-uk.org.uk or e-mail:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or call the Robinsons on: 01932 862090.