On Monday 15 May 2024 we celebrated our first year of Breast Cancer Voices. We looked at where we’ve come from, how far we’ve come, and where we’re going next.
Some highlights from our first year include:
Our community has increased from 667 to 949 people to date. You’re a diverse community, from all 4 nations and with a range of different experiences. 552 of you have also signed up to become louder Voices.
We’ve shared 201 opportunities with you. These have ranged from shaping the work of Breast Cancer Now, to taking part in research and helping to design and lead on different research projects.
Feedback from staff is overwhelmingly positive. 100% of people who involve you in their work would recommend it to others. Below are quotes from some of our staff members:
The Voices were so useful … By speaking to the Voices, we could make sure the decisions were led by what's most important - people affected by breast cancer.
Daisy Lindlar
Brand, marketing and communications – Tone of Voice project
The George slogan project was completely driven by The Voices’ positive slogans & affirmations which got designed into t-shirts & raised money for Breast Cancer Now. The project would have never happened without them.
Charlotte Mills
Corporate partners - Share your slogans on Asda Tickled Pink Partnership
Our Voices are engaged and passionate about making a difference. 30% of people who filled out our evaluation survey get involved in something every or most months.
We were joined by two of our fabulous Voices, Fola and Linda, who shared their experiences of being Voices.
We also heard from the Voices attending about why they joined, what it’s meant to them to be a Voice, and what they want to see in the future.
Can you tell us what motivated you to join Breast Cancer Voices?
Fola: For me, I'm just passionate about building confidence in young women. And for in me in the past years it’s missing among women in my group. It can be so difficult for women to voice out about what they need. And when I went on this journey, I could see what was missing among us. And we can build our confidence up by joining a group like this. We’ll see more young women in minority groups speaking out and spreading news about how we can go about things, especially when it comes to treatment and the management after breast cancer. So that is really what I'm passionate about because it's not all about when you're getting treatment. Is about when you ring that bell, this is when everything start dawning on you, mostly. So that's what I would say made me actually join Breast Cancer Voices.
Linda: I was originally part of the Service Pledge in 2016 and saw what that was capable of achieving. And I was keen to try and help to continue that with Voices. And I think being able to see what other ladies and gentlemen have gone through, their experiences and what Breast Cancer Now are doing from the fundraising and the research perspective is just amazing. And, you know, I just want to be able to continue helping. Sharing experiences. I think it's so important that we share it because my experience will be different to others’, but … we all want to try and make things better for our fellow cancer sufferers and not just for breast cancer because what we do for breast cancer helps improve the services for other cancers. That's where my place is with this is just to make things better as best I can.
What attendees said: They want to highlight experiences of younger women or those from diverse communities and to use experiences to make an impact for others. It’s a way to support the work of the charity after support provided during treatment. Being a Voice comes with a sense of passion, feeling empowered by taking action, and finding ways to hear the voice of others as well and give them a voice
What’s something you’ve been part of through Voices that’s been important to you?
Linda: I think my favourite one was when I went to Bradford University to speak to what I was told would be just a small handful of students and, in the lecture theatre, but actually was PhD students, the professors, tutors, the post docs and the lecture theatre was absolutely packed. But it was about my experience. My cancer journey, telling all these people that were in research and it felt to me so important. Because, there’s a person at the end of everything you do, and when you're stuck in a lab all day peering down a microscope, you can forget that there's a person at the end of your research. I was terrified. I have to admit .. But I just got into it, it just flowed and I just did it and the comments about after was wonderful. We went for lunch with a couple of professors and then they showed me around the fantastic research facilities they have there. It absolutely blew my mind. It was amazing. … And it's just been wonderful what it's done for my confidence. It’s incredible.
Fola: I think the most important thing now is being part of a lovely, project that we were on since last year. And what really amazes me about it is having meetings with amazing people and planning the engagement strategy together. And try to incorporate my own profession to how this is planned, it's just amazing, you know. Sitting there and having meetings and trying to draw the pathway and what can be done and what should not be done. For me it's amazing to just be involved. And I think most people, this is where they get their confidence from.
What attendees have been part of: They've taken part in lots of different opportunities! From research studies, to speaking at events and doing photo and video shoots. They’ve sat on committees, taken part in campaigns both local and national, and talked to healthcare professionals. Being involved in these ways, it feels like their voices are being properly heard, and they get to move things forwards and see the difference they make.
Where we’re going
We’re currently working with a group of Voices to develop our plans for the next year of Breast Cancer Voices, and beyond.
Fola and Linda, what’s something that you’d like to see developed going forward?
Fola: Inclusive community and representation. Because you know the name Breast Cancer Voices, … voice on its own mean express and it's a space where it gives everyone affected opportunity to feel among others. You know, so if we should try and see how we can reach underrepresented communities that they feel they've never been heard. So inclusiveness would be one of the top. We need to do deeper research on what do they want? What do we really need to do? So inclusiveness.
Linda: Well, I think we're just putting the toe in the water with regards to getting, people into the medical facilities to talk about the person at the end of all of what they do. I'd like to see a little bit more of that. Areas where we could do more to go in [and talk to people in medicine and research]. Because I think I do … we just need to remind them that it is a person on the other end. That's very important to me. … So if we could do something on that front. Maybe highlight that sort of opportunity in the Voices emails on the website.
What attendees would like to see:
They want to see greater inclusivity, and more representation of different groups. It’s important that we recognise the needs of people from for different communities, and the possible barriers they have to taking part. And, we need to look at how we can support people to access Breast Cancer Voices and take part in the different opportunities we share.
They want to know the difference you’re making through getting involved. We need to show you your value and just how powerful your voices and contributions are, by sharing with you more updates from different opportunities that we’ve shared, as well as feedback from people who have run them.
They want more opportunities to connect with other people. Connecting with people on a local level, from the wider Voices community and on a longer term basis, through informal meetups or online events. This is important to build community and provide support, encouragement and inspiration to get more involved.
We’re going to be focusing on some of these different areas throughout the year, and we’d love you to be involved. So keep your eyes posted for opportunities to take part in shaping the future of Voices!
Share your voice
This opportunity has expired. You can check out our Share your voice page for more ways to get involved.