Macmillan Cancer Community Network’s Conference

On 22nd October 2024, the OXO2 venue in London set the stage for the first Macmillan Cancer Community Network Conference. This event brought together leaders from grassroots organisations within the London Cancer Community, East of England Cancer Network, and South-East Cancer Network, alongside healthcare professionals, researchers, and representatives from cancer alliances.

The goal was to explore the ways in which grassroots organisations can play a transformative role in addressing the equity gap in cancer care across the UK. Throughout the day a mix of voices, experiences, and innovative solutions were shared, centred around building bridges between community-led initiatives and the established infrastructure of the healthcare system.

The conference aimed to foster connections and meaningful conversations on making cancer care more inclusive and accessible. It was compered by Emma Tingley, Macmillan's Head of Partnerships, and with opening remarks from Rachel Waddon, Macmillan's Communities Manager.

 

 

A highlight of the event was a series of powerful presentations by leaders of grassroots organisations and those working on programmes of work that are directly tackling disparities in cancer care within communities:

• Saffron Hanson, Michael Samuel, and Zak Miah from the Croydon BME Forum presented on the need for the 'Can You C Me' programme, which addressing disparities in cancer care for BME Communities in South West London.
• Janet Clarke, Macmillan Engagement Lead, together with Cancer Black Care CEO Paul Campbell and his sister Sophie Sebaduka (a cancer survivor), presented on The Beauty of Support project. The panel, alongside Judith Neptial, founder of From Me to You: The Art of Survival, and trichologist Lorna Jones from C & Hair, discussed the importance of creating safe spaces for cancer conversations within the community. The Beauty of Support project harnesses this within Black hairdressing salons and barbershops to break down cancer-related taboos, to ultimately support more members of the community to get diagnosed earlier.
• Samina Hussain, founder of Sakoon Through Cancer, shared her own journey with cancer, which inspired her to create an organisation supporting South Asian women facing breast cancer and broader health challenges.
• Judith Neptial, founder of From Me to You: The Art of Survival an organisations that is addressing healthcare inequities for Black Cancer patients and challenging the many taboos surrounding cancer within the Black community; gave a poignant speech, bringing home the urgency to close the equity gap in cancer care, advocacy and research.
• Dr Philippa Hyman, Dr Fabienne Palmer, and Mallory Jordan introduced the Macmillan Quality of Life and Personalised Care Community Reach Programme, which aims to better understand what quality of life means for underserved communities following a diagnosis of cancer and to inform more inclusive, equitable and relevant service design and deliver of personalised cancer care.
• Natasha Watts (Macmillan Strategic Transformation Lead) and Rachel Penniston (UCL Partners Director of Implementation) shared the Improving Cancer Journey Learning Programme, which aims to increase access to practical, emotional and physical support for people diagnosed with cancer, and the people important to them, so they can stay in treatment and keep their lives on track.

Macmillan’s first Cancer Community Network Conference was the first opportunity to bring members from each of the Cancer Community Networks together alongside those working in the healthcare sector. An opportunity to share best practice and challenges but also to act as a catalyst for connection and a springboard for work beyond the conference.

The event was not just an opportunity to learn from each other but a call to action. Feedback from delegates expressed the value in making important connections at the event to collaborate on work moving forward.

• 92% said they will make contact with someone they met at the conference
• 66% said they would have a follow up meeting and
• 0% said it was unlikely they would take any action.

Through the voices of community leaders, survivors, and dedicated healthcare professionals, the conference underscored that meaningful change in cancer care requires collaboration, inclusivity, and shared purpose.

We plan to host a virtual event in the Spring 2025, bringing the attendees back together to share some of the outcomes from the discussions and connections that were made that day.

Our three Cancer Community Networks in London and the South-East bring together people whose lives have been affected by cancer. They are the

• London Cancer Community
• East of England Cancer Network and
• South-East Cancer Network

At the core of these networks are individuals with lived experiences, ensuring their voices shape the work we do at Macmillan. They do this through patient panels, focus groups, and reviewing cancer information to name a few opportunities.

Members also include grassroots cancer organisations, local community groups, and healthcare professionals, fostering collaboration and sharing updates for initiatives and events happening across the region, building up a genuine community network for those working within cancer.

After a morning of presentations, attendees had the opportunity to explore stalls from various grassroots organisations, including Community360, Talking about Cancer Together with Community Action Suffolk and Community Action Norfolk, The Errol McKellar Foundation, and stalls from those presenting giving an opportunity to discuss the work that they presented on. This time allowed attendees to learn more about each other's work and find opportunities to work collaboratively.

The conference’s emphasis on connection was further highlighted in a speed-networking session following lunch, where delegates engaged in quick, purposeful exchanges to foster new collaborations. Attendees shared their projects, experiences, and the challenges they’re facing to close the equity gap in cancer care.

The day ended with round-table discussions, where participants from grassroots organisations and the heath care sector jointly explored the role of grassroots organisations, how to work well together, sharing insights and resources better and how to support the work to be more sustainable.

The subjects of the discussions were all informed by the attendees through their RSVP to ensure the event was impactful and useful for all participants. Each of the discussions were facilitated and action focused where delegates made commitments to actions that would strengthen the collaboration between grassroots organisations and established healthcare structures beyond the conference.

• Find out more about the Beauty of Support project including resources for Black women and for hairdressers
• Access and share cancer information in different languages and formats. Browse translations and other formats
• Find local support groups and services in your area 
• Read the stories and experiences of people affected by cancer like Paul from Cancer Black Care
• Join the online community and chat anonymously with others or read blogs from community members.

This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan's Digital Content Editor team and checked by Macmillan's Cancer Information team.

Learn more about our Digital Content Editors and how we produce our cancer information.

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