My Space: Breast Cancer Foundation NZ nurse Deborah Swann and that pink caravan.

Registered nurse Deborah Swann on her favourite work spot, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s Pink Caravan

Describe the space: “A gorgeous little retro caravan that travels all the way from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South. It is pink, cute and eye-catching. Inside it’s quite cosy and looks like an office with our brochures adorning the walls and our mannequin ready for teaching sessions. You can find us parked anywhere that has high foot traffic and women; sometimes an event, in a workplace or a supermarket car park. The goal of reaching small, rural, hard-to-reach communities is achieved by taking the resource to them rather than them having to come to us.” What inspires you about the space? “I love that anyone can stop and talk to us. There is no cost, no appointment is needed and it is the individual’s choice whether to engage with us or not. I love the conversations that we have and the relationships that quickly develop. I think people aren’t scared to come and talk to us and they go away feeling unburdened or more knowledgeable or supported in their concerns. There are many ‘aha’ moments with the caravan. I feel privileged, humbled, enthusiastic and sometimes sad – but a lot of the time there is much laughter. This is the first time in my nursing career when I feel like the fence at the top of the cliff rather than the ambulance at the bottom.” What is your role? “To educate people about breast health and let them know what services they can access for various issues relating to breast cancer. I’ve been a nurse for 30 years and have worked in the speciality of breast cancer for about 16 years. My first trip in the Pink Caravan was 2014, the year it first went on the road.” Proceeds from NZ House & Garden House Tours ticket sales go to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. Visit nzhouseandgardentours.co.nz