Help our volunteers understand the impact of social and financial challenges

What’s the project about? 

Our online volunteer events aim to widen our volunteers’ understanding of the diverse experiences people face going through breast cancer. Previously, we’ve heard from people from different ethnic backgrounds and how this may affect access to screening or talking about breast cancer with their loved ones, for example. 

In November, we’d like to focus on the social and financial challenges that some people face. 

This could include things like: 

• Cost of living crisis or financial pressures 
• Caring responsibilities  
• Disability or long-term health condition 
• Unemployment 

We’re therefore looking for a speaker who could share their personal experience of some of these challenges, and what they think staff and volunteers should be aware of so they can deliver better services in the future. 

Who can take part? 

We’d love to hear from you if: 

• Any of the factors above (or other social or financial factors) impacted on your experience going through breast cancer diagnosis and treatment 
• You’d feel confident to talk online to a group of volunteers about these challenges, and help improve our awareness and understanding 

Why do you want me to be involved? 

Our volunteers work with and support people from a wide range of backgrounds different to their own. So it’s important to build their understanding of different life challenges, to enable them to be more empathetic, sensitive, and understanding.

By sharing your experiences, you can empower our volunteers to help make things better for others. By widening our volunteers’ knowledge of different experiences of breast cancer, you can help make sure that the people they support get the right support for them. 

What will you ask me to do? 

We’re looking for someone to speak as part of a 45-minute online event. You’ll share some of the barriers or challenges that you faced while going through breast cancer, and what you’d like healthcare staff or volunteers to be aware of when providing care or support.   

If you’re interested in speaking, the volunteer team can organise an initial conversation with you to give you more context and confirm your interest.  

You can also work together to decide how you’ll share your story, and what format works best for you. You won’t have to share anything that makes you uncomfortable.