If you have been affected by cancer and need information about services and support, please visit Cancer Matters Wessex
Only through the eyes of those who have had cancer, or cared for someone with it, can we fully understand what the care and support on offer is really like – and what needs to change. This is why we encourage people to volunteer and share their lived experience.
In this video, Joanna, one of our Steering Group volunteers, explains how she uses her lived experience to make a difference.
“I enjoy the way I can effect change with real meaning. What I have experienced resonates with others and facilitates changes for the better. That is a very powerful feeling”
Patient representative
Why volunteer with us?
The Involving People team at Help and Care support our volunteers by being a friendly face to introduce you to volunteering and explain about the opportunities to get involved. They will keep in touch to support you, answer your questions and help to make sure you are confident in what you are doing. They will support you to:
- Make a difference to local cancer services
- Be part of a supportive, friendly team and meet new people
- Access training and development
- Learn new skills and knowledge
- Learn more about the NHS
Ways to Get Involved
You’ll be invited to participate or share your experiences in a variety of cancer-related projects and activities. You can choose which opportunities you get involved in based on your availability and interest.
Anyone affected by cancer can join at any time, including patients, carers, family members and anyone else who is interested in participating. It’s for people from all parts of Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and for people of all ages and experiences, especially those with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
You will be asked for feedback on cancer-related information produced for patients and caregivers to ensure it is clear and understandable.
This includes clinic letters, web pages and other written material. There will usually be one new item per month to review, but you are not obligated to look at everything.
You will ensure that patient or caregiver experience is at the heart of the Alliance’s decision-making. We meet six times a year (in person and online). You can take part in other projects too.
Our Steering Group has a specific role to help shape the way we involve people, and to hold us to account if you think we are not doing a good enough job. You would have a place on the Wessex Cancer Alliance Board, where you can share your thinking and challenge us to do better. You are the key to ensuring that people’s views are at the heart of decision-making about our work.
Local cancer support groups and charities play a vital role in supporting patients and care-givers. Peer and community support can be invaluable in enabling people facing a cancer diagnosis, treatment and those living beyond cancer to have more control over their own lives.
We offer support to these organisations through our Valuing Community Support Network
Receive our quarterly newsletter to find out more opportunities to get involved and to hear about changes as a result of people’s involvement.
Want to know more?
Contact us for an informal chat:
Email: involvingpeople@helpandcare.org.uk
Phone: 0300 111 3303
For information about current projects you can help with, click on the link below:
Communities Against Cancer Training and Grants
Are you part of a community group? Communities Against Cancer provides training and support to groups who want to promote cancer awareness and messaging in their local communities.
There is a simple application process to access support, training and grants via our project partners, Action Hampshire – find out more here
The Impact of Involving People
We know how important it is to involve people in what we do. Our services and our projects are more relevant, useable and accessible as a result.
To find out more about the difference that patient and public involvement has made, you can click on the link below to read case studies, our latest impact report and examples of recent Steering Group activity.