We are delighted to introduce Answer Cancer, a Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector-led response to cancer in Greater Manchester.

As the working name of the Greater Manchester Cancer Screening Engagement Programme, Answer Cancer aims to increase cancer screening rates, particularly within communities where take-up is currently low. It will achieve this by working with Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise sector organisations, including faith groups, residents’ associations, and community groups, to raise awareness of screening and possible symptoms and causes of cancer. Answer Cancer will support these organisations through training, information sessions and grants. It will also enhance and develop the Greater Manchester Cancer Champions scheme, a social movement of over 700 people and 60 organisations. 

This initiative is a partnership of four VCSE organisations with over 100 years’ experience of supporting people across Greater Manchester: Salford CVS (on behalf of 10GM, a joint venture between the CVS’s of Greater Manchester); Voluntary Sector North West; BHA for Equality in Health and Social Care; and Unique Improvements social enterprise.

The Greater Manchester Cancer Screening Engagement Programme began on the 1st April 2019 and will run until at least 2022 with funding from the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership. It aims to increase the uptake of cervical, breast and bowel screening across Greater Manchester. By developing new and existing relationships across the public, private and VCSE sectors, the programme will deliver an innovative and people-centred cancer screening engagement programme. It will reduce the stigma and myths surrounding cancer, cancer screening and prevention and equip our communities with the knowledge that early detection is early protection.

Alison Page, Chief Executive of Salford CVS, and Chair of the Partnership Board, said:

 “We applaud Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership for recognising that the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector has a great deal to offer in terms of reaching, engaging and supporting local people and communities (by geography and identity) across Greater Manchester and are excited that our partnership has been appointed to deliver such a transformational programme of work.”

Further announcements relating to the programme, including the launch of a new website & training events, will follow in the coming weeks. In the meantime, for updates please follow us on Twitter at @AnswerCancerGM

If you would like to register to become a cancer champion and help to help save a loved one, you can do so by completing this sign up form and returning it to info@cancerchampionsgm.org.uk