Welcome back to another blog update from Carer Activist Matthew McKenzie, who also runs the National Cancer Carer forum.
As usual I raise awareness of unpaid care, but because of the forum that I run, I was invited to attend Macmillan Cancer Support Community network conference. The event took place on the 22nd of October over at Oxo Tower
Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the largest British charities and provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer and those who support them. The charity also looks at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have, and campaigns for better cancer care.
There are several Macmillan Cancer communities, I am part of the London Cancer community network. Basically The London Cancer Community is a network of people who work or live in London who are either are living with, recovering from or have recovered from cancer; their friends, family and carers, healthcare professionals, community organisations, cancer charities and initiatives.
The Cancer community conference looked to celebrate the projects from network partners, raise awareness, network and also feedback.
The overall agenda was as follows
Registration from Macmillian staff who were friendly and polite. I felt to welcome attending the event. Plus I managed to grab some healthy breakfast as I was late arriving to the conference. So it was great to be well fed. I then managed to networking and browse some stalls. I was also joined by fellow carer activist Nadia Taylor who chairs the carer charity “Carers Network”.
It was not long before we were ushered to our tables to hear about the importance of the event and the agenda for the day.
Then there were presentations from the following charities, health providers and campaigners.
Can you ‘C’ me – Croydon BME Forum
The Beauty of Support and Barbers Against Prostate Cancer
Samina Hussain – Sakoon Through Cancer
Judith Neptial – From me to you: the art of survival
Macmillan Quality of Life and Personalised Care Community Reach Programme
UCLPartners and Macmillan – The Improving Cancer Journey’s Learning Programme
I spent a lot of time catching up with links to Cancer alliances as they support the group I am running, although my focus is with RM Partners who focus on South West and North West London. I also linked up with the Cancer Alliance the provides services to the North East of London.
Overall I was glad to attend this wonderful conference, it was a shame I could not stay long as I headed off to run my carer stall at Queen Elizabeth Hospital over in Greenwich. I often get visitors to the hospital seeking advice and information due to caring for someone with cancer.
My final thoughts on the event was on the amount of hard work to put the conference together. The conference felt like it was forming a community of those who did all they can to support the health of the community. I cannot wait till the next conference.
Please check out Macmillan Cancer Support community network newsletter below.
A Caring Mind 