As winter begins to loosen its grip and the first signs of spring appear, we’re delighted to welcome you to our February–March newsletter. With longer days ahead and fresh energy in the air, it’s the perfect time to reflect, reconnect and look forward to what’s coming next at Answer Cancer.

In this edition, you’ll find an exciting video contribution from Andy Burnham you’ll find upcoming training opportunities, community events and practical updates designed to inform, inspire and support you throughout the early spring months. Whether you’re planning ahead or getting involved now, we hope this newsletter helps you stay connected and motivated.

Newsletter Highlights

  • Thank you from Andy Burnham
  • Upcoming Training & Events
  • Men’s Health Event
  • START in Salford sign up to Bee Seen, Get Screened
  • Answer Cancer Champions Appreciation Event February 2026
  • This Van Can
  • New NHS BSL videos and resources
  • Crafting and cancer awareness

 

Thank you from Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham couldn’t attend our Answer Cancer Champions Appreciation event – he’s been a bit busy lately. He did, however make us a thank you video which you can watch by clicking on the link below.

Watch Video

 

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.

 

Book now.  Places are limited for our focused men’s health event at the St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North (M12 6FZ) on the 4th of March 2026.

Expect our trusted prostate and bowel screening training alongside input from Mentell, practical insights on engaging men in conversations about cancer, screening, and overall physical and mental health and wellbeing.

This session is designed for Organisational Champions and Bee Seen, Get Screened pledge employers looking to strengthen their approach to supporting men’s health.

Book Now

 

START in Salford sign up to Bee Seen, Get Screened

START in Salford is the latest employer to sign up to the Bee Seen, Get Screened pledge

  • allowing their staff time off to attend cancer screening appointments
  • raising the profile of health and wellbeing in the workplace
  • and encouraging their employees to talk about cancer and the importance of screening

START is a Salford-based charity with over 31 years of experience supporting mental health recovery and prevention. Through creativity, connection and recovery-focused interventions, START helps people build confidence, resilience and self-esteem, reconnect with their communities, and access pathways into training, employment, volunteering and leisure.

Everything START does is about improving health, wellbeing and quality of life—making the Bee Seen, Get Screened pledge a perfect fit. By supporting people at risk of mental health challenges or social isolation, START helps reach those less likely to attend cancer screening, encouraging earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.

Why not be like START and sign your organisation or workplace up to the Bee Seen, Get Screened pledge.

SIGN THE PLEDGE

 

Answer Cancer Champions Appreciation Event February 2026

Thank you, everyone, for attending our Appreciation Event held at St. Thomas Centre on the 4th of February. We have 64 attendees who enjoyed the presentations given by Champions delivering projects for Answer Cancer.

It was a great opportunity to network, share food and good practice and take time out of busy schedules to consider how best to deliver cancer screening and awareness in our communities.

 

This Van Can

This Van Can has extended it’s tour of Greater Manchester raising awareness about the generic signs and symptoms of cancer, as well as busting some cancer myths. The team will be handing out leaflets and merchandise and encouraging everyone to Get Cancer Clever. They want as many residents of Greater Manchester as possible to know what to look out for, with the ambition that more cancers are diagnosed at an early stage.

The van will be visiting Wigan, Bolton, Bury and Tameside in February, before continuing its tour around Greater Manchester. The Answer Cancer Engagement Team will be joining them at some venues.

Why not drop in, encourage work colleagues, family and friends to visit or take a group to pick up resources and have a chat.

You can check the upcoming dates and download social media assets using the button below.

See all roadshow dates

 

New NHS British Sign Language videos and resources

The NHS alongside Breast Screening Manchester has released the Samantha campaign, a set of resources aimed at engaging the deaf community via a British Sign Language video link.  The video is a great resource for everyone.  Samantha explains how a mammogram screening saved her life, it also covers her, diagnosis, treatment and the reasons why the deaf community are less likely to engage with cancer screening programmes.

The NHS also has BSL, videos explaining Cervical and Breast cancer.  Feel free to use them or forward them on to any contact you have who may benefit from them.

View the Samantha campaign here

Crafting for cancer awareness

Get creative.  Get connected.  Get informed with these free monthly craft sessions exploring finger knitting, needle felting and watercolour painting, while learning more about cancer and cancer screening.

Make art, make friends and showcase your work in a final exhibition.  See below for details.

Learn more with our January training

 

 

If you have any questions or queries please contact us using the link below.

 

GET IN TOUCH

 

Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Facebook. Like and share our page to help spread the Answer Cancer message.

 

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 on the 14th November, just follow the links.