Could you boost our efforts to raise cancer awareness in your communities?

Wessex Cancer Alliance has been successfully working with communities to raise awareness of cancer over the last five years. We focus our efforts on working with community groups less likely to know the signs or symptoms of cancer, and/or seek advice with concerns, including:

• a wide range of racially minoritised groups,
• disabled people, including people with learning disabilities and/or autism
• people who are isolated and/or living in areas of deprivation
• vulnerable women … and many more.

We have created lots of lasting relationships that we would like to build on and extend to other communities.

The impact of this work

This work is making a positive difference to people. They tell us they really value clinicians coming to talk to them. It makes them more likely to act on the advice given. Some people tell us that they appreciate it when the clinician reflects their own cultural, religious or linguistic background. For example, having a female radiographer of a particular ethnic minority background talking to a group of women from a similar background about breast screening, or clinicians who work with people who have a learning disability talking to LD groups about cancer screening.

The ask of you

Could you give up an occasional evening or few hours on a weekend to be part of a team that supports community cancer awareness raising activities?

We are looking for a diverse range of clinicians of all professional and demographic backgrounds to support us with this work.

• You could be a nurse, doctor, pharmacist, dentist, or Allied Health Professional from primary, secondary or community services
• You need to be able to communicate clearly and simply (we will provide you with the key messages)
• You do not need to work in a cancer specialty
• You can tell us what type of event you want to get involved with, where and when
• You can choose which event to get involved with as they arise (there is no obligation to take part in any particular event)
• You will not diagnose or discuss treatment options with individuals. The information shared is general
• You will work within your own scope of practice, code of conduct and expectations of your relevant professional body

Support for you

You will be:

• Briefed about the role and event
• Provided with the resources you need for each event
• Offered £100 as a thank you for your time, and paid for your expenses
• Supported by a Wessex Cancer Alliance Team member

If you are interested

Please get in touch with Sue Newell and/or complete this brief questionnaire to tell us your contact details and the types of events you would like to get involved with. Sue will then arrange a briefing with you.

Thank you for considering getting involved.