Hi, I’m Joanne King, Volunteer Coordinator for the Cancer Older People and Advocacy project in Cardiff and the Vale. I attended a health promotion day on the 19th September at the STAR leisure centre in Splott supported by Communities First. The event was also attended by the ManVan from Tenovus and Public Health Wales Screening Programme who were highlighting the importance of early cancer diagnosis particularly in relation to prostate, bowel and breast cancer.
There was a good flow of local people who were encouraged inside by Communities First staff. There was also a visit by the Lady Mayoress who promised to look at the new project. I spoke with two people directly affected by cancer who thought that the new service was an excellent idea and took away leaflets for future reference. Sadly, no volunteers came forward on this particular day.
It was definitely a good day for partnership working as Public Health staff and Tenovus were made aware of the Cancer Older People & Advocacy project and encouraged to link in with any potential referrals.
I also visited the Communities First offices in Splott on the 2nd October which was an event to promote services within the community including energy advice service NEST, Wiltshire Farm Foods and Public Health Wales. Again this was a great platform to advertise the service with other agencies. One lady was quite keen on volunteering and took some details. Unfortunately there were no potential service users from this event.
Four more promotional events have been booked in local hospitals alongside Angela Jones, Volunteer Advocate, and one of our volunteers is going to join us. We’ll update you on these events in the very near future.
Joanne King, Age Connects Cardiff & the Vale
Older People Living with Cancer 