Why One Vision started a Cancer Champions Programme
Every two minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer. Cancer significantly impacts life quality and expectancy, especially in deprived neighbourhoods and for people from ethnically diverse communities, who tend to be diagnosed later and have worse cancer experiences and outcomes.
Our partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support developed from identifying a need for proactive, collaborative engagement to level the playing field when it comes to local cancer care. An essential part of our programme is to put people’s needs and experiences at the heart of what we do.
Why we chose Watford and Three Rivers for the Cancer Champions Programme
Our Cancer Champions Programme aims to tackle health inequalities by raising awareness and providing support for those affected by cancer. Watford and the Three Rivers District have been chosen as key areas for this initiative for several compelling reasons:
Diverse
Communities
Watford and Three Rivers are home to a rich tapestry of cultures, ethnicities, and faiths. This diversity is a strength, offering a unique opportunity to engage a wide range of community groups. By focusing our efforts here, we can ensure that our outreach is inclusive and far-reaching, addressing the needs of various under-served populations who might otherwise lack access to vital cancer support services.
Identified Health Inequalities
Health disparities in Watford and Three Rivers highlight the need for targeted intervention. Certain communities in this region experience lower rates of cancer screening and higher barriers to accessing healthcare services. We aim to bridge these gaps, promoting early diagnosis and comprehensive care for all residents and with a focus on South Asian & Black communities.
Strong Community Networks
Watford and Three Rivers are known for their active and engaged structures that provide a solid foundation for our Cancer Champions Programme. By collaborating with local faith groups, community organisations and public health departments, we can effectively disseminate information, support those affected by cancer, and mobilise volunteers to become Community Cancer Champions.
Supportive Local Councils
The local Councils in Watford and Three Rivers have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving public health and reducing health inequalities. This supportive environment makes it an ideal location for our Cancer Champions Programme, as it allows for collaborative efforts between our initiative, local authorities and other healthcare providers.
How you can help us
We invite local people, including those from faith and community groups, to join us in this critical effort. We are developing a network of volunteers who will help us to deliver our Programme. Your support will help to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of our community. For more information on our activities, please see below.
Who are our Team
Volunteers: Become a Cancer Champion
We’re developing a network of Cancer Champion volunteers to help us to deliver our Cancer Programme and provide information on cancer symptoms and local support.
Volunteers will:
– Engage in awareness activities
– Signpost people to relevant services
– Encourage open discussions about cancer to dispel myths and stigma
The role is voluntary and flexible, with full training and ongoing support provided. Anyone aged 18+ can apply. Skills needed include respect for others’ values and cultures, good communication and a desire to help. You don’t need any formal qualifications.
Role Profile - Community Engagement Volunteer
For Volunteer Appplication
We would love to have you join our Cancer Champions volunteer community. If you want to find out more, please contact our Volunteer Managers – priyanka@ovwatford.org & abhha@ovwatford.org
Our Activities
Individual Support
We offer compassionate and inclusive support for those diagnosed with cancer and their families, addressing financial, emotional, cultural and information needs. We connect individuals to other resources including those provided by Macmillan Cancer Support and One Vision. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact us today.
Focus Groups
We gather community feedback through conversations and focus groups to understand people’s experiences with cancer services. This feedback will help shape better services for the future.
Training
We provide training to healthcare providers, faith leaders, social housing providers and others on cultural sensitivities and barriers to cancer care, thus improving patient experiences especially for ethnic communities.
Awareness Sessions
We run sessions to raise awareness about cancer and encourage screenings. We can bring awareness events to community gatherings, providing preventative information to reduce late diagnoses.
Events and Activities
Based on community needs, we partner with other organisations to provide or facilitate activities supporting those impacted by cancer.
For more information, follow us on social media or contact us directly.
Who oversees our Cancer Champions Programme
Our Programme is funded for three years by Macmillan Cancer Support. This national charity provides services for people living with cancer at every stage of their cancer experience. Our work is overseen and supported by a team from Macmillan Cancer Support.
We also have a Watford and Three Rivers Cancer Champions Advisory Group (CAG). This is a group of professionals, volunteers, community leaders and experts, who meet quarterly with us to review our work and support us. The Terms of Reference and aims of the CAG are here.
Heather
Millar
Heather Millar is a Macmillan Partnership Quality Lead. She has been in this role for two years, and previously was a Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist. The overall focus of her role is to support Macmillan professionals and projects to achieve success. Heather works closely with the One Vision Cancer Champions team, providing support and access to Macmillan Cancer Support’s tools, resources and learning offer. Her main skills are project management, stakeholder engagement and quality improvement.
Semeta
Bloomfield
Semeta Bloomfield has worked for Watford Borough Council for many years, and is their Community Commissioning Lead. Her strong interpersonal skills have helped strengthen the relationships between the Council and partners within the community and voluntary sector. She has spearheaded initiatives that have removed barriers, built trust and a sense of belonging for under-represented communities. She is committed to making arts and culture accessible for all and advocates the positive benefits that engagement with the arts has on mental and physical wellbeing within the community. Watford Borough Council has a long-standing and positive relationship with the Voluntary Sector, and Semeta's experience will help the Cancer Champions Programme align with local needs and priorities to achieve positive outcomes for Watford residents.
Kathryn
Cremins
Kathryn Cremins is the Senior Manager Planned Care for Hertfordshire & West Essex Integrated Care System (H&WE ICB). Since qualifying as a Registered General Nurse in 1994, all her work has been cancer focused. Working at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre and CareWest Herts Hospitals Trust in both the inpatient and outpatient settings, and completing her degree at the Royal Marsden Hospital, has given her clear insight into the impact that a cancer diagnosis can have on a person and their families. Since moving to Herts Valleys CCG (now H&WE ICB) in 2018, she has been able to use that insight and experience to influence transformation of cancer services in South and West Hertfordshire. She passionately believes that everyone with concerns about cancer and those diagnosed with cancer should have access to excellent care and services and that they have a good experience in the care that they receive.
Kevin
Hallahan
Kevin Hallahan works as Health Inequalities Lead for the NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB). He has worked in the NHS since 2014 in various roles, starting as a registered Learning Disabilities nurse. He achieved a MSc in Contemporary Nursing which supported his professional journey, which included him becoming a Clinical Lead in the Continuing Healthcare (CHC) team. Kevin has worked in the ICB in various roles including Quality Assurance and now as Health Inequalities Lead, whereby he works closely with partners across the Integrated Care System to promote equitable access, experience and outcomes for all residents. He works strategically to enable partners to deliver on sustainable solutions, informed by community voices, ensuring doing with and not to. By bringing statutory and non statutory partners together, Kevin helps communities to achieve equitable outcomes, which include the wider determinants of health such as education attainment, employment and access to green or blue spaces. Kevin is committed to tackling underlying health behaviours that compound generation inequalities, working to enhance quality of life and healthy ageing and development.
Professor Gurch
Randhawa
Professor Gurch Randhawa is a Professor of Diversity in Public Health and Director of the Institute for Health Research at the University of Bedfordshire. He has an international track-record of utilising inter-faith and inter-cultural approaches to improving health and wellbeing. His research is globally recognised for its focus on the development of patient-centred care pathways to achieve equity in long-term conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, transplantation, cancer and end-of-life care amongst diverse communities – underpinned with his Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach of working with community and faith-based organisations to improve health and wellbeing. Professor Randhawa holds a number of policy positions including serving as an Expert Adviser to the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) Centre for Guidelines and as a Member of the British Medical Association’s Medical Ethics Committee. He holds Honorary Public Health Academic Contracts at the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities and the UK Health Security Agency respectively; as well as other roles including a Trustee of the Race Equality Foundation and a Non Executive Director at the Hertfordshire & West Essex Integrated Care Board. Professor Randhawa has an extensive track record in cancer and end-of-life care related research, holding grants from the National Institute for Health & Care Research (NIHR) to establish an End of Life Care Research Network; and a grant from Bedfordshire, Luton & Milton Keynes (BLMK) Integrated Board to evaluate Cancer Community Connectors across BLMK; as well as being a co-applicant on a NIHR grant to evaluate access and experiences of bereavement services among different ethnic and faith communities. He is also an Ambassador for Keech Hospice Care.
Simanga
I have worked in the health and social care profession for over 14 years. Main focus of my work was patient/client & family care & support in hospital,community & hospice settings to access service appropriate for their needs
Sadia
Din
With extensive experience in housing, extra care services, and diverse community engagement projects, my work is devoted to enriching the heart of the community. With a passion for empowering vulnerable groups. With my personalised experience, I now focus on supporting carers by offering, education and resources to help them overcome challenges and improve their caregiving experience making their roles manageable and rewarding.
Shivani
Davé
Shivani is the Partnerships Manager at Three Rivers District Council, responsible for health, community development, partnerships and equalities. Shivani has led the development of the Community Strategy for Three Rivers Local Strategic Partnership which promotes a stable economy, safe and well communities, belonging to your local community and the environment. She’s worked at Three Rivers District Council for 13 years, always within the Strategy and Partnerships team, and will be able to use her experience in collaborative working, project development and local partnership networks to extend the reach of the Cancer Champions Programme.
Sharon
Platt-McDonald
