Macmillan Cancer Support and Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard are working together to engage with the local communities to learn about the experiences and needs of LGBTQ people in Brighton and Hove and Sussex who are affected by cancer.
This engagement work will be used to inform how LGBTQ people affected by cancer can be best supported; and to identify areas where improvements to patient experience can be made through Macmillan and in collaboration.
Switchboard has created two surveys as part of the project and would love to hear from as many people as possible. One is for LBGTQ community members affected by cancer (including partners, carers and family members of people with cancer); the other is for professionals (including volunteers) supporting LGBTQ people affected by cancer.
Switchboard is also holding two focus groups to learn more about the experiences of these community members and professionals. Take either of the surveys to receive details of the focus groups, or email: chris.brown@switchboard.org.uk
Daniel Cheesman, CEO of Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard, said: “Working with Macmillan on this project is really important for Switchboard as we know that LGBTQ people face additional barriers when it comes to accessing health care and support. We want to understand what this looks like for LGBTQ people who are affected by and living with cancer. We are keen to hear from those who identify as LGBTQ who have been affected by cancer.”
To complete the LGBTQ community members survey, click here:
To complete professionals supporting LGBTQ people survey, click here:
Every year, more than 10,000 people in the Sussex area find out they have cancer. There are at least 48,000 people living with cancer in Sussex, and the sad truth is, this number could increase to an estimated 93,000 by 20303.
One in two people in the UK are likely to get cancer in their lifetime. Cancer can affect everything, including a person’s body, relationships and finances.
Macmillan Cancer Support provides practical, emotional and personal support to people affected by cancer every year. The charity is there to support people during treatment, help with work and money worries, and listen when people need to talk about their feelings.
In 2016, there were around 200 Macmillan health and social care professional posts, often based at hospitals and in the community in Sussex, to support people with cancer and their families through difficult times. 2,000 people in the county phoned the Macmillan Support Line for information and support. Macmillan mobile information buses were out and about in supermarkets, town centres, faith centres and workplaces in the Sussex area, visited by around 2,100 local people for support.
To help with money worries, around £1,460,400 in unclaimed benefits was unlocked for people in Sussex, and 620 people received Macmillan Grants, totalling over £215,000.5
Macmillan receives no government funding and relies on generous donations from the public. People up and down the country show their support for Macmillan – from hosting or attending a World’s Biggest Coffee Morning to running a marathon or giving up alcohol – so the charity can help more and more people affected by cancer every year.
Life with cancer is still your life and Macmillan is there to help you live it.
If you want information or just to chat, call 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm) or visit www.macmillan.org.uk.
To get involved or make a donation please call 0300 1000 200.
