Cancer Support
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About the Care Connector’s Project
This new Community Care Connector’s Project, funded by Macmillan Cancer, has been created to tackle inequalities by providing culturally appropriate knowledge on cancer prevention, early diagnosis, cancer treatment, support and living beyond care. Nishkam Civic Association (NCA), along with three dedicated community organisations, Bangladeshi Islamic Centre (BIAS), Yemeni Community Association (YCA), and West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre (WBACRC) have been working together with the Black Country Integrated Care Board (BCICB) on a two-and-a-half year project, which aims to address these health inequalities and support Marginalised Ethnic Communities.
This is a unique model of working, bringing together the tacit knowledge of community organisations to engage, connect and reach marginalised ethnic audiences to build OUT barriers to ensure equitable access to cancer care and treatment.
NCA has recruited two experienced community care connectors, Sukhvinder Kaur and Ravinder Singh who are working to bridge the numerous barriers including cultural and language barriers faced by these groups.
The key areas the project looks at are:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Cancer Prevention and Early Diagnosis
- Cancer Screening Programmes
- Signs and Symptoms
- Living Well and Beyond Cancer
To achieve these goals we will be providing an array of services including:
Cancer Information from Specialist Nurses
Experienced, qualified nurses will provide you with expert information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, how to manage side effects; living with cancer, palliative care, end-of-life and coping with grief.
Culturally Appropriate Support
Access to a wide range of specialists and tailored support to help people with how they’re feeling, provide practical information and support them in their native language to meet their specific needs and provide culturally appropriate support.
Financial Guidance
Trained financial advisers will be available to offer impartial information and tailored guidance including pensions, mortgages, banking, debt, getting or claiming on insurance, making a will, power of attorney and dealing with probate. They can also support with casework inclaiming on pensions or insurance claims, make referrals for debt advice and support with financial products.
Work Support
Receive expert information and advice on all aspects of employment rights, including how people with cancer can talk to their employer, negotiate adjustments at work, disputes and discrimination, taking time off and sick leave.
Grants
Means-tested payments to help with the extra costs that living with cancer can bring. Can be used to help ease additional financial pressures such as increased energy bills, cost of travel to and from hospital, home adaptions. Available through welfare rights service, by webchat or via email. Healthcare professionals can make applications for people with cancer.
Digital Buddies
Digital Buddies will provide people with someone to talk to regularly about how they’re feeling or provide local signposting support via phone or video call.
Community Buddies
Community Buddies provides practical support to help take the strain off people with cancer and their family around the home as well as be someone they can chat to, face-to-face.
For support/further information, contact 0121-515-4229