The Cancer Champions Programme, run by One Vision and partnered with Macmillan Cancer Support, aims to support those in the Watford and Three Rivers area with a cancer diagnosis and their families.
The programme is appealing for volunteers to help signpost people to relevant services, raise awareness of cancer symptoms and encourage open conversations about cancer.
It aims to hold focus groups, arrange activities and give people with cancer individual emotional, practical and financial support, so no one has to face the disease alone.
Susannah Brunert, cancer community programme manager at One Vision, said: “We know, in Watford and Three Rivers, and indeed nationally, health inequalities are a big issue. Some people are less likely to be diagnosed early with cancer, to be less satisfied with the journey whilst they have cancer, and to not necessarily get the support that’s out there. We really want to enhance awareness of what services are there. We also want to reach out into the community- we’re not about helping people in a clinical setting, we’re about going out to where they are and talking to them there.”
Abhha Sandill, volunteer manager at One Vision, said: “Nobody should have to deal with cancer alone. Whether you can offer a few hours a week, or help us spread the word, we want people to get involved. We want people from diverse ethnic backgrounds because cancer can affect anyone and people want to see others like themselves talking about it.”
One Vision is a local charity that brings together people from different cultural backgrounds to address the needs of the community such as food poverty, support for carers and health challenges.
To register your interest in becoming a volunteer for the Cancer Champions programme, visit: https://www.onevisionproject.org/macmillan-cancer-champion-programme/