Community groups offered grants to help lead cancer treatment
Charities and community groups in Northumberland are being encouraged to apply for funding to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and encourage people to seek help early and take part in screening.
The Northern Cancer Alliance is inviting applications to support community-led projects in Cramlington, Blyth, Ashington, Bedlington and Amble.
It’s Community Cancer Awareness and Screening Fund is being run in partnership with Point North, a Community Foundation - and offers grants of up to £2,500.
The fund focuses on improving the early diagnosis of most common and screened for cancers – bowel, breast, cervical and lung.
The fund aims to reach communities most in need and reduce the barriers people face to access healthcare support.
Dr Katie Elliott, Northern Cancer Alliance’s clinical director for primary care, said: “Detecting cancers earlier when there are more treatment options and better chances of survival is one of our key priorities.
“All too often in the North East, cancers are diagnosed late and this fund is all about helping to make that shift and reaching out to those communities who need the most help.”
She added: “We’re looking to fund projects and activities in communities that raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer to look out for.
"We’re keen to help build people’s confidence to speak to a GP or healthcare professional and make it easier for them to do so.
“This could include running cancer-specific information sessions, awareness days or integrating cancer and screening awareness in existing community activities.
"We really want to support groups to get the key messages out into their communities.”
Michelle Cooper, chief executive at Point North said: “Local voluntary and community groups are uniquely placed to raise cancer symptom and screening awareness to encourage early diagnosis because they're already trusted.
“For too many people, there are real barriers to putting their health first. By bringing these conversations about cancer into familiar places, whether that's a community café, a football pitch or a craft group, we can help make talking about it feel less daunting.”
The deadline for applications is August 23 August.
To find out more and apply, go to https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/community-cancer-awareness-screening-fund/.
For any queries, email [email protected] or telephone 0191 278 6340.