Barnsley volunteers celebrate showing up for cancer

Successful initiatives encouraging the people of Barnsley to spot the early signs and symptoms of cancer have been praised and celebrated at a special community event

Working in partnership with the borough council and the SYB Cancer Alliance, Barnsley’s Community and Voluntary Services (CVS) gave grants to a variety of groups to help them raise awareness and urge people to report any indications of changes in their bodies that might be linked to cancer.

As part of Barnsley’s Take Action Live Longer (TALL) campaign and the council’s #BeThatFriend campaigns, the groups who successfully secured funding of up to £10,000 each, also used their community projects to encourage people to show up for routine checks such as for breast and prostate cancer.

Following professional training in how to deliver effective messages around cancer, the groups completed their projects over the summer, culminating in an event in the town centre where they shared their experiences.

Many of the groups reported that a number of people who’d attended their sessions went on to have routine tests after being reassured of the processes involved, and then returned to thank the organisers for their encouragement.

Lesser-heard communities also responded well to many of the sessions and events which helped to dispel some of the myths and taboos around cancer and breakdown some cultural barriers to testing.

Lara Bundock, the CEO of Barnsley CVS, said: “TALL was launched to raise awareness across Barnsley of the signs and symptoms of cancer as well as promoting uptake of specific cancer screening programmes, and this funding has helped these groups deliver this great work in our communities.

“It has created a ripple effect where people will continue to be encouraged and to spread the word about the importance of testing and spotting early signs.

“Thank you to everyone for wanting to make a difference to people’s lives and for showing what amazing work can be done. The creativity involved has blown us all away!”

The projects:

• Ad Astra based in Barnsley’s St Helen’s council ward held coffee mornings and lunches promoting healthy eating and open discussions with people with lived experience, encouraging many to get routine tests;
• Age UK is developing a video of a patient’s journey of attending the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Barnsley town centre to attend breast screening including interviews with staff who work there;
• Barnsley FC Community Trust held workshops and awareness events such as take over match days at the Oakwell Stadium, and used match day programmes and a video featuring the players to spread messages and encourage fans to spot signs and get tested;
• Crossroads Caring for Carers took the cardboard model they christened LJ to various meetings educating people and highlighting the different areas in the body that cancers can occur as well as training their staff in giving out key cancer messages;
• Barnsley Migration Partnership held weekly education events for lesser heard communities, which included focus groups, café chats, and presentations on signs and symptoms. It also produced information leaflets translated into many different languages;
• Worsbrough’s Inclusion in Action reached more than 700 people directly and many more indirectly through activities including art and mindfulness sessions, encouraging open discussions on cancer and providing information leaflets;
• The volunteer-led Penistone FM radio aired lots of interviews over the summer with people sharing their experience of cancer, along with clinicians who gave advice on spotting signs and symptoms;
• The Shaw Lane Foundation showcased materials including Easy Read leaflets for adults with learning disabilities and held coffee and cancer awareness sessions.  They also held a Health and Wellbeing event, with 21 stalls which helped to promote other initiatives including the ‘How’s Thi Ticker’ campaign and the support of Citizens Advice and Macmillan;
• Thurnscoe Regeneration included the promotion of cancer screening in its overall wellness activities including articles and adverts in local newsletters reaching 20,000 people, and in its regular Wake Up to Wellness sessions.