Spring has truly sprung these past few weeks with the hottest ever May recorded in UK history! We hope you all manage to enjoy some of the sunshine and are enjoying the cooler days now. As we head into summer, we wanted to share a few highlights and updates with you.
Inside you will read about our recent activity as well as opportunities to get involved in our training and events. We have also highlighted a number important awareness events coming up with resources and information that may be useful to consider and share in your work.
Newsletter Highlights
- Upcoming training & events
- Bee Seen, Get Screened
- Free Answer Cancer stakeholder collaborative
- New Ovarian Cancer Support Group – Oldham
- Awareness campaigns
- Q4 survey and prize draw winner
- Welcome from Emily
Upcoming Training & Events
Free training sessions from Answer Cancer, the Greater Manchester Cancer Screening Engagement Programme! Different dates and times are available to suit you. We are now offering training through a mixture of online and face-to-face sessions, so please make note when signing up!
You need to register in advance to attend the sessions, but you can join as many sessions as you like. For a list of courses and register, please click here.
Bee Seen, Get Screened
We now have a total of 190+ organisations who have taken our Bee Seen, Get Screened pledge! It is incredible to have such a high number of organisations committed to making a real difference. A huge thank you to everyone who has already taken the pledge and is helping to drive this important work forward.
If your organisation employs people, even a small team, this is a simple but meaningful step you can take. It’s free, quick to sign up, and has a real impact.
Take our pledge today!
Free event – Answer Cancer Stakeholder Collaborative
This event is a fantastic opportunity to stay up to date with the latest developments in cancer screening across Greater Manchester. You’ll hear real examples of best practice, connect with Answer Cancer Champions, and network with partners who are making a difference across the region.
Whether you’re looking to learn, share ideas, or strengthen your local connections, we would love to see you there.
Click here to register
New Ovarian Cancer Support Group – Oldham
Let’s Connect are running a new monthly peer support group for women affected by ovarian cancer in Oldham. The group is open to anyone from diagnosis onwards, the group offers a friendly space to connect, share experiences and get support.
Meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month, 6.30–8pm, at a central Oldham venue. The next session is Tuesday 7 July 2026.
If you or someone you support may benefit, please help spread the word.
For more information or to request a leaflet, please contact Pamela Walker at pwalker@targetovariancancer.org.uk.
Awareness Campaigns
Cervical Screening Awareness week 15 – 21 June
Cervical Screening Awareness Week is a chance to highlight the importance of regular screening for those aged 25–64. Cervical cancer is highly preventable, and attending when invited can save lives.
Since July 2025, NHS screening has moved to every 5 years (instead of 3) for people aged 25–49 who test negative for HPV. We’re encouraging everyone to attend their screening and help spread the word.
Support is available via Answer Cancer (cervical screening toolkit ), alongside trusted information from the NHS, The Eve Appeal, and Cancer Research UK.
Womb cancer awareness month
This June, we wanted to draw attention to the organisation Peaches Womb Cancer Trust who have launched a national campaign for the month of June called ‘Your GP Wants to Know’. This campaign aims to help women and people with a womb to recognise possible symptoms of womb cancer and feel confident in seeking help, reassuring them that GPs want to hear their concerns and early checks can save lives.
Take a look at their website to find out more information.
Alcohol awareness week 6th-12th July
Alcohol Awareness Week highlights that alcohol is linked to at least seven types of cancer, something many people don’t realise. Cutting down—even slightly—can improve your health, and simple steps like setting limits, having alcohol‑free days, choosing lower‑strength drinks, and alternating with water can help. Support and advice are available from the NHS, Cancer Research UK, and tools from Drinkaware.
Myeloma Awareness Week (16-22 June 2025)
Myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells and is relatively rare, with around 6,000 people diagnosed each year in the UK.
This Myeloma Awareness Week, Myeloma UK is highlighting key but often overlooked symptoms including persistent back pain, fatigue and recurring infections to support earlier diagnosis. As part of the campaign, they’re encouraging people to share a “symptom translator” tool with GP surgeries to help improve recognition and reduce delays in diagnosis.
Take a look at their website for more information on how to get involved.
Q4 survey and prize draw
Thank you to everyone who completed our Q4 survey- we have informed our winner who has won our £50 prize draw.
Our Q1 survey will be sent out in due course, make sure you complete it to enter our £50 prize draw and good luck!
Hello!
I’d love to introduce myself to you all. I’m Emily, and I’ve recently joined VSNW as the new Senior Programme Delivery Coordinator and I will be supporting the VSNW work for the Answer Cancer programme.
I came to VSNW with experience working across the NHS and integrated care systems, alongside frontline mental health work and trauma-informed practice. I hold a degree in English Literature from Liverpool John Moores University and level 3 qualification counselling. I am really passionate about achieving better outcomes for people and making a genuine difference in communities.
Outside of work, I love walking, yoga, reading, planning holidays and camping.
I am very much looking forward to working on this programme and hope to meet some of you soon! Thank you.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support- we really appreciate all that you do. We hope you enjoy this edition, and feel free to get in touch anytime.
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Engage with Voluntary Sector North West
As one of the four partners in Answer Cancer, Voluntary Sector North West supports the sector “to positively shape the future of the North West”.
If you are a VCFSE organisation interested in engaging with Voluntary Sector North West, we invite you to connect with us. You can join free of charge as either a full member or an associate member, or simply subscribe to our e-bulletin to receive the latest updates and insights about the sector. If you are interested in joining as a member, or would like to join our conference in November, just follow the links.