Partnership aiming to reduce health inequalities in borough
MACMILLAN Cancer Support and the Croydon BME Forum are coming together to form a three-year partnership to address health inequalities in South West London.
The project is in response to the poorer cancer experiences and outcomes that people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities continue to experience, as evidenced by studies from the likes of the British Journal of Cancer, which found that Black women have significantly poorer breast cancer survival rates than white women.
Other research shows that Black men are 2-3 times more likely to develop prostate cancer than their white counterparts, have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer at a younger age, and that death rates are twice as high.
Operating across the boroughs of Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton, and Wandsworth, the ‘Can You C Me’ partnership team will build community networks that aim to tackle barriers to health equality, at a grassroots level.
With over 20 years’ experience of community engagement and advocacy, the Croydon BME Forum is ideally placed to help Macmillan deliver this ambitious change programme.
As the umbrella organisation for Croydon’s Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector, the Croydon BME Forum has well-established community links and a long-standing commitment to promoting equality and cohesion.
Saffron Shadbolt, Can You C Me’s Programme Manager, said: “This groundbreaking collaboration between Croydon BME Forum and Macmillan Cancer Support represents more than just a contract; it symbolises a shared commitment to equity and progress. For far too long, individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds have faced disproportionate barriers in accessing quality healthcare and support systems, particularly in the cancer care space.
“As part of this project, Macmillan Cancer Support is funding a team who will be working with local communities to better understand the experiences of people with cancer from the Black and Minority Ethnic population. And where inequities exist, to take action to improve these experiences.
“This could include identifying people who need culturally sensitive cancer support delivered with compassion and understanding, upskilling local health and social care providers on the inequities Black and Minority Ethnic groups face and how these can be addressed, or joining up with other community assets to ensure wrap-around personalised care and support for Black and Minority Ethnic communities across South West London.
“Over the next three years, my team and I are eager to tackle systemic barriers, to amplify marginalised voices, and pave a path towards a future where every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background, can live a life of dignity, health, and well-being.”
The project kick-off was celebrated at two launch events, taking place at Croydon’s Wellness Centre on March 19 and Wandsworth’s Town Hall on March 27, where cancer experts, key project personnel and the public had the opportunity to network, access cancer resources and learn more about Can You C Me’s scope and ambitions.
Robyn Jenkins, Macmillan Partnership Manager for South West London, said: “Macmillan is delighted to see the launch of this project, which has been a year in design. Macmillan has an ambition to become a leader in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and to play our part in tackling health inequalities.
“In order to make this a reality, Macmillan needs to see, hear and understand the communities who face health inequalities. Organisations such as the Croydon BME Forum have the skills, expertise and presence locally, to support Macmillan in accessing vital insights and knowledge. So we can make positive, sustained change for the Black community and other minority groups facing health disparities in South West London. I cannot wait to see all this project will achieve across the next three years!”.
Macmillan is investing over £573,000 into funding this project.
■ For more information on the Can You C Me? project or to contact the team, visit: www.cbmeforum.org , email: macmillanteam@bmeforum. org , or call: 0208 680 3635 / 0208 684 3719 If you or someone you know is struggling with a cancer diagnosis, visit the Macmillan website , or call 0808 808 00 00.
This groundbreaking collaboration between Croydon BME Forum and Macmillan Cancer Support represents... a shared commitment to equity and progress
Saffron Shadbolt, Can You C Me programme manager