We are a peer-to-peer Breast Cancer Support Group in Milton Keynes wholly run by volunteers who have personal experience of breast cancer - we listen to and support people just like you. Sometimes we are in touch through telephone or text, or sometimes we will meet up for a coffee – whatever helps. Whether you are going through treatment now or you have been through it in the past, we will listen and offer support. We help people to talk through their concerns and we can offer a range of resources that could help. Bosom Pals MK is also open to carers, relatives and friends of those diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
Bosom Pals MK was established by two breast cancer patients with the support of a breast care nurse at Milton Keynes University Hospital. At the time, information and awareness of breast cancer was very limited and there were very few people available to talk to for breast cancer patients. A diagnosis of breast cancer is an extremely frightening experience.
Bosom Pals MK recognises the need to support patients of gynaecological cancer, so the group opens its doors to those patients, as previous support was limited, and gynae patients have no existing support groups in the local area. (NOTE* as of 2025 our support and experience is concentrated wholly on Breast Cancer patients)
Bosom Pals MK starts providing goodie bags for all breast and gynae patients undergoing surgery in Milton Keynes University Hospital, which was something to help at a difficult time. The goodie bags contain small items of toiletries, cosmetics and other gifts, including details of how to access support from Bosom Pals MK. The goodie bags are very well appreciated by patients happy to receive an unexpected gift as a small reminder of “normal life” whilst undergoing treatment. Following a request from the breast care nurses we now also provide a goodie bag suitable for men having breast surgery.
Bosom Pals MK celebrates its 30 year anniversary - quite a milestone! Our work continues and we hope to help many more people in the future. Our anniversary will be celebrated in 2022. Our meetings were held via Zoom due to the pandemic, which enabled us to keep in touch and enjoy talks and activities.
Bosom Pals MK proudly receives the Queen's award for voluntary service, after nomination by Milton Keynes Community Foundation, in recognition of almost 30 years of service to the breast cancer community. The award was presented at a small ceremony by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire with the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire and the Mayor of Milton Keynes in attendance. Although numbers attending were restricted by Covid-19 regulations, it was a moment of immense pride for Bosom Pals MK.
We are about meeting people, friendship and support. The following list of statements are our pledge – our core set of values that sits behind all of the work we do. We pledge:
Jan Flawn CBE is founder of PJ Care Ltd. Incorporating the Company in February 2000 after seeing young people with neurological conditions living inappropriately in care homes for the elderly. P J Care Ltd employs over 600 staff, and is a leading, award-winning provider of specialist neurological care and neurorehabilitation for people with progressive or acquired neurological conditions.
Leaving school with no qualifications Jan became a registered nurse, rising to be a senior manager in the Department of Health. Jan won the CBI First Woman of Business Services Award in 2013 and was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honors in 2014, for “services to the care home business and charitable fundraising”. Jan also received an honorary degree of Master of the Open University in 2016.
Jan is a Trustee of several health-related charities and provides mentorship to women in business and founded Women Leaders UK awards in 2013. As part of the Women Leaders annual awards Jan put on a STEM festival to promote, enlighten and encourage school children and others into a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) career, by demystifying the subjects.
Jan has now retired from P J Care Ltd and through careful succession planning has handed the Company over to her son Neil Russell. Her entire focus now is to support health related charities and mentor women starting out on their careers.
