Our recent showcase event highlighting our work over the last 6 years was attended by a whole host of individuals and organisations connected to the project. Jo Dixon, now retired, worked on the project since its launch has written a blog about her own enthusiasm and the dedication and commitment of all those involved.
‘You’re still so passionate about this, aren’t you?’
I felt very privileged to be sitting at the Communities Against Cancer Showcase event on 4 March and listening to inspiring presentations. Having been at the beginning of the project I was keen to hear how it had developed and what had been achieved since I’d retired. Later that day as I was telling a friend about the stories, journeys, activities and conversations I’d heard about she said “you’re still so passionate about this, aren’t you?”. That took me back 6 years when three of us sat down at Action Hampshire and batted around our ideas as to how we might improve early cancer diagnosis. The enthusiasm and commitment I felt then has never left me.
An atmosphere of dedication and enthusiasm for the project
That same enthusiasm and commitment plus a large dollop of energy were certainly on display at this event. The stories we learned about, both in person and through case studies, showed how much can be achieved with a small grant and a great deal of enthusiasm and energy. I was struck by the fantastic contribution so many people have made over the past 6 years to raise awareness of cancer within their own communities and to encourage early diagnosis ( a sobering statistic I won’t forget is that even a week or two’s delay can have a negative impact on the outcome). These are certainly not easy conversations to have but by using sensitive and creative means, these individuals have been ensuring that the key messages are being heard.
Thinking back to when it all started
We had no idea in April 2019 how the Communities Against Cancer project would play out. In its evaluation of the project, the University of Southampton has estimated over 7 million people could have been touched in some way through different channels (we certainly weren’t thinking in those numbers in 2019). And this figure doesn’t include informal conversations with family and friends following a training session or a local activity or event.
Working with amazing and remarkable people…
Six years on it was so good to see and hear what had been achieved. The achievement is, of course, down to so many people. The funders who had faith in Action Hampshire’s Way of doing things and the partners who’ve supported the project over the years. The staff at Action Hampshire. I had the good fortune to work on Communities Against Cancer with Claire and Kevin in the beginning and I was pleased to meet Kishor and Alison who have carried on with such enthusiasm and dedication. And finally, and most importantly, those amazing and remarkable individuals and groups who understood the importance of what the project was trying to do and who came on board and delivered their engaging and creative activities, ideas and solutions to raise awareness of cancer within their communities. It was so good to hear that these crucial conversations are continuing.
And moving forwards?
I think all of us who were present at the event came to the realisation that the Action Hampshire Way of doing things could be replicated to address further health inequalities in relation to medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Communities Against Cancer has shown that it works. Is it not time now to work together to roll this approach out into new take this approach into new pastures?
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