About the Cancer Champions Programme
The Cancer Champions Programme has a focus on health inequalities as we know that although everyone has a right to access health services, there are some people who may find this more difficult than others for lots of different reasons. Cancer Champions are trained to support everyone to be able to recognise and report signs and symptoms of cancer and to engage with cancer screening.
What is a Cancer Champion?
A Cancer Champion is somebody who empowers others to spot and report the early signs and symptoms of cancer and encourages people to engage in cancer screening programmes. Cancer Champions integrate the role into their everyday life, talking to family, friends, work colleagues or within their community. No experience is needed and all our Cancer Champions are supported every step of the way.
We’ve had the privilege of training over 1,000 Cancer Champions across the region and they are all making a real difference! Their impact reaches across diverse groups and communities, including Bulgarian, European, refugees, students and prisoners, to name a few, helping to raise awareness, share vital information, and encourage more people to access life-saving cancer support and screening.
Cancer Champions Training
Cancer Champions training sessions are held on a regular basis across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Powys. They are funded by Lingen Davies Cancer Support and everyone is welcome to attend. We can also come to your organisation to deliver our training.
For more details on our training sessions, please contact Rebecca Peters (Shropshire Cancer Champions Coordinator) via email r.peters@qube-oca.org.uk or phone 01691 656882
Cancer Champions Support
After attending our training session Cancer Champions are supported in a number of different ways by their local coordinator. All Cancer Champions are provided with a training pack to ensure that they have evidence-based leaflets and resources to share as part of their role.
Follow up sessions are organised for all Cancer Champions and these include regular information sessions focussing on specific cancers, research developments and other health information.
Informal catch ups also take place in various locations across Shropshire, providing an opportunity to meet and connect with other Cancer Champions and share feedback and insights. Monthly newsletters are sent out to all our Champions to provide updates on the project and to share the latest cancer research.
Further Information and Useful Resources
The Cancer Champions project website plays host to a fantastic array of resources that provide an abundance of help and information on cancer, relevant services and so much more. There are also useful links to an amazing compilation of multi-lingual videos on cancer and cancer screening.
Case Study
One of the most recent training projects was with HMP Stoke Heath. This blog post shares Cancer Champions Coordinator, Rebecca’s insights into the project, detailing some of the barriers and challenges working in this environment and the impact and success of the project,. It also highlights the outstanding dedication of the prisoners and prison staff who have ensured the success of the project in helping to improve the health and wellbeing of prisoners.
