NHS & Wellbeing

Cancer Awareness & Prevention Programme

Delivered by Communities First Foundation in partnership with the RM Partners (part of the NHS)

Project Status: Completed (March 2026)

Overview

Our Cancer Awareness & Prevention Programme supported local communities to better understand cancer risks, the importance of early detection, and how to access national screening programmes.

We delivered accessible, culturally sensitive sessions that helped people make informed decisions about their health and feel more confident engaging with healthcare services.

What We Delivered

We delivered community-based sessions that included:

Cancer awareness and prevention education
Information on national screening programmes
Men’s and women’s health workshops
Safe, inclusive spaces for open discussion and questions

Who We Supported

The programme supported individuals and communities who faced barriers to accessing healthcare, including:

Low-income families and individuals
Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities
Refugees and asylum seekers
People with long-term health conditions
Adults who were inactive or socially isolated

Men’s Health Focus

Our men’s health session:

Raised awareness of cancer risks and symptoms
Encouraged early screening and help-seeking behaviours
Engaged men through trusted community networks and activities

Women’s Health Focus

Our women’s health session:

Promoted early detection and screening
Addressed barriers such as stigma, fear, and lack of awareness
Provided culturally inclusive spaces for learning and discussion

How We Reached Communities

We engaged communities through:

Local wellbeing groups and activity sessions
Community hubs and trusted spaces
Faith and cultural organisations
Sports and physical activity programmes
This ensured health messaging was accessible, relevant, and trusted.

Why This Programme Mattered

Many people did not access screening or seek help early due to:

Lack of awareness
Cultural stigma
Fear or mistrust of services
Limited access to information

This programme helped break down those barriers and connected communities with life-saving information and support.

📊 Project Final Update

The programme was delivered in March 2026 through two targeted community sessions:

Men’s Health & Cancer awareness session (8th March 2026)
Women’s Cancer screening awareness session (14th March 2026)

Sessions took place in Croydon at accessible community venues, including Selhurst Sports Arena, and engaged a total of 61 participants (27 women and 34 men) from diverse and underrepresented communities.

To maximise engagement and learning, we delivered an innovative and interactive approach through a Cancer Screening Awareness Community Escape Room, titled “The Early Detection Mission.”

Participants worked in small groups to complete timed challenges and activities, using NHS resources and prompts to explore:

Cancer screening programmes (breast, bowel, and cervical)
The importance of early detection
Prevention through lifestyle choices (including smoking, alcohol, diet, and physical activity)
When and how to seek medical advice

The men’s session incorporated a powerful lived experience of prostate cancer, highlighting risk factors and the importance of early detection, particularly for higher-risk groups.

The women’s session provided a dedicated and culturally inclusive space to explore cancer screening, ask questions, and build confidence in accessing services.

Participants also received practical guidance on:

Registering with a GP
Accessing screening invitations
Using NHS tools and services to manage their health

Sessions were delivered through a mix of presentations, group discussions, and interactive activities, ensuring strong engagement and accessibility.

Key Outcomes

Participants reported increased confidence in:
Understanding national cancer screening programmes
Knowing what actions to take to reduce their cancer risk
Recognising when to contact their GP
Sharing important health information with family and peers

The programme successfully engaged:

People from ethnic minority communities
Adults aged 55+
Individuals from higher-risk and underserved populations

Learning & Future Opportunities

The project demonstrated that:

Interactive, community-led approaches significantly improve engagement and understanding
Creating separate, safe spaces for men and women enhances participation and openness
Culturally sensitive delivery is essential for reaching underserved communities

We also identified that:

Delivery during Ramadan impacted attendance levels
Extending delivery timelines would support broader reach and deeper engagement
We would welcome opportunities to build on this work through extended or follow-on programmes that support sustained engagement and long-term behaviour change.

Impact

Through this programme, we: