Wandsworth Care Alliance

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2025: Help encourage others you know to get screened!

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This is a week long campaign that raises awareness about cervical cancer screening and prevention on 21-28th January 2025.

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is an important time to raise awareness about the life-saving benefits of regular cervical screening. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, and early detection through screening can significantly reduce the risk of developing it.

Why Cervical Screening is important?

Cervical screening, commonly known as a smear test, is designed to detect abnormal cells in the cervix that could develop into cancer if left untreated. It is a crucial preventive measure that can catch potential issues early and ensure timely intervention. Here are some key reasons why cervical screening is essential:

  • Early detection: Screening can identify changes in cervical cells before they become cancerous, making treatment more effective.
  • HPV detection: The test also checks for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a major cause of cervical cancer.
  • Prevention: Removing abnormal cells early can prevent cervical cancer from developing in the first place.
  • Painless and quick: The test is straightforward, usually taking only a few minutes, and can be lifesaving. It may cause discomfort, but the process is less than 5 minutes long. To discover more about what happens at the appointment click here.

Tips to encourage more people to get screened:

Despite the benefits, many people delay or avoid cervical screening due to fear, embarrassment, or lack of awareness. Here are some ways to encourage more participation:

  1. Raise awareness: Share information through social media, community events, and workplace wellness programs to educate people about the importance of screening.
  2. Address common concerns: Providing reassurance about the procedure’s simplicity and effectiveness can help ease fears and misconceptions.
  3. Make appointments accessible: Encouraging healthcare providers to offer flexible hours and online booking can make it easier for people to attend.
  4. Normalise conversations: Open discussions about cervical health with friends, family, and healthcare professionals can help reduce stigma.
  5. Encourage support networks: Remind people that they can bring a friend or family member for support during their appointment.
  6. Promote free or low-cost options: Ensure people are aware of available services through public health programs.


Wandsworth Care Alliance, a charity that delivers Healthwatch Wandsworth worked with IVAR to find out what the barriers are in Wandsworth for Women and specifically South Asian Women. Researched showed Wandsworth was the lowest with Cervical Screening uptakes in England. Read more about our project and findings here.

They found Women were reluctant as it’s a taboo topic, language barriers and they didn’t know what to expect in the appointment.

Taboo topic

Cervical screening is often considered an embarrassing topic to talk about. We should encourage having early conversations to show it’s a normal thing to talk about.

Language
Did you know you can ask your GP for an interpreter to be present at your appointment or to have a doctor or nurse who is able to speak to you in your language?

To find out more about cervical screening in your language click here.

Cervical Cancer screening is a vital in preventing Cancer and saving lives. During Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, let’s work together to raise awareness and encourage more people to prioritise their health by getting screened. If you’re due for your screening, book your appointment today and remind others to do the same. Your health matters!

Voluntary Sector Forum – December 2024 highlights

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On Wednesday 4th December we had our last Voluntary Sector Forum meeting of 2024. Which took place at Caius House in one of the well-equipped modern meeting rooms, where we had presentations and updates shared. Thank you to everyone who joined us.

Abi Carter our Voluntary Sector Representative on the Health and Wellbeing Board shared an enlightening presentation on the role of the Board and how the voluntary sector voice can influence decisions and plans relating to Health and Care.

241202 Wandsworth HWB overview for WVSF (4.12.24)Download

We had updates from Children and Young People’s Alliance, Older People’s Alliance and Mentoring Opportunities for Developing Organisations, which was given by Wandsworth Care Alliance’s Development Manager, Ravi Vyas.
Give us feedback on how they receive funding information from us via this survey.

  • E-mail (ravi@wandcareall.org.uk) if you’d like to join the Children / Young People and/or Older People’s Alliance.
  • E-mail (ravi@wandcareall.org.uk) if you need any support with setting up your organisation, with funding help (finding and writing), networking opportunities, and capacity building.
  • E-mail (alice@wandcareall.org.uk) if you need any support with social media, marketing, and branding and fundraising. For more information on these mentorship programmes for branding click here and for fundraising support sessions click here.

Wandsworth Borough of Culture updates on the next steps for the voluntary sector, were given by Arts and Culture Officer, Chief Executive’s Group Wandsworth Council, Roisin Kerslake-Sim.

Voluntary Sector LBOC slides – 27.11.2024Download

Doing Good In Wandsworth is WCA’s new newsletter for matching voluntary organisations to sponsorships and resources from local businesses updates were given by Wandsworth Care Alliance’s, Volunteering Project Officer, Jummy Olaleye.

The Doing Good In Wandsworth newsletter aims to promote and make aware the work, initiatives and needs of local charities to local businesses and corporations in the borough and even outside of the borough. With this newsletter we want to see charities get the support they need and highlight the support of local businesses and corporates to the community.

Take a look at our first newsletter – Doing Good In Wandsworth

Sign up to our Doing Good In Wandsworth newsletter here.

Updates were followed with some presentations from Wandsworth Council on Wandsworth Council’s Winter Plan, which was given to us by Hollie Stone and Melissa Barker, Public Health Lead, Health Protection Team.

Wandsworth Winter Health 2024 – Slides and Information PackDownload
  1. A link to a Microsoft Form which VCS can complete to request printed copies of cold weather and vaccination posters – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=rPXT2QP4vkmUnxSnB010p20x_vJLX0ROppFyT52VYTtUQTlMM085MDNRNFY4S0c4UjRHSzlHQUNLMi4u
  2. Please get in contact with healthprotection@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk if your organisations is having any events before the end of January where you would like the roving team to attend to deliver winter vaccinations and/or information sessions. 

Paradise Cooperative, Eve Rogers shared a good news story on how they evolved their corporate volunteering offer as an alternative (and lucrative) model to generate income for their organisation – this clearly inspired other organisations present to think how they might do something similar.

VSF Paradise PhotosDownload

After an insightful sharing of updates and presentations from our speakers, the floor was open to the room to share updates, achievements, concerns or potential joint actions in the borough.

We had organisations in attendance such as:
Wandsworth Older Peoples Forum
WCEN
Happy Homes
The Heart and Lung Choir
Power2Connect
Generate
Wandsworth Council

For updates on when our next one will be please visit our eventbrite page here.

Brand and Media Group Mentoring – Sign up to share and learn

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Alice invites Wandsworth based community groups to come learn and share ideas about Brand, media and communications.

We’ll work together to develop and explore how to get the word out about what we do, and advertise ourselves effectively.

 Sign up by emailing Alice@wandcareall.org.uk to be invited to these monthly online drop-ins and help people find you!

What the meetings will be like?

Using a topic to start, we’ll share useful information on areas like:

  • Designing websites
  • Choosing and using social media
  • Email marketing and how to do it
  • Google business and SEO (showing up on search engines)
  • Brand, authenticity, and style
  • Designing leaflets, flyers and visuals
  • How to write excellent copy

And more. We will share best practice information and some handy links and guides.

For the next 40minutes of the call we will discuss our experiences, what works, and what doesn’t work for us.

We’ll use the benefits of a peer network to build confidence to navigate tech, get creative, and learn from each other.

What’s expected of members?

  • Membership is free
  • Members can come and go inside the meetings
  • There is no requirement to attend every meeting
  • Our intention is to support each other
  • We aim to show up in solidarity to build confidence and skills
  • We will send you short feedback forms to make our meetings better

We invite members of different skill levels and will occasionally invite guests to speak as requested.

Why learn about brand and media for your cause?

Marketing and promotion is one of those things that seems far more complicated than it needs to be.

Oftentimes, people will find us through word of mouth in the charitable world – in any industry recommendation is the most powerful marketing tool, but in social good, it can be all we need.

So, making decisions then about how to navigate technology is difficult and potentially overwhelming. We so easily compare ourselves and pile on the pressure to be everywhere at once, on Instagram TikTok, Twitter, Email, with fancy websites, flyers and billboards.

The secret is that even in the biggest marketing teams in the world, the key to success is simplicity and restriction. Knowing where your audience is, who they are, and the easiest ways to reach them will help you focus and feel so much less stressed than being in 500 places at once.

Together, we’ll go back to basics and get creative about the ways to communicate most effectively.

About your host

Alice has 6years experience making fundraising campaign messages for big national charities like the Scouts and NSPCC, (working on £multimillion budgets and 5year growth plans), and a couple of smaller charities too.

After starting my own businesses as a freelance marketer and a massage therapist, I know what it takes to work independently, and as part of a high performing team too.

My approach to coaching is to listen with sensitivity and reflect the smoothest ways to get the job done without pressure or unnecessary complications.

 We all want to do our work well but also live with joy and lightness – I hope for these calls to be uplifting environments where we can be creative and optimistic about brand and promotion.

Fundraising with Supporters Group Mentoring – Sign up to share and learn

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Alice invites Wandsworth based community groups to come learn and share ideas about fundraising with supporters.

We’ll work together to develop and explore how to get donations by growing our supporter networks and asking supporters for help.

Sign up by emailing Alice@wandcareall.org.uk to be invited to these monthly online drop-ins and grow your unrestricted income!

What the meetings will be like?

Using a topic to start, we’ll share useful information on areas like:

  • Designing seasonal appeals/campaigns
  • Product fundraising
  • Regular giving
  • Donation tins and street fundraising
  • Email asks
  • Major donor pipelines
  • Legacy gifts
  • Gift aid

And more. We will share best practice information and some handy links and guides.

For the next 40minutes of the call we will discuss our experiences, what works, and what doesn’t work in fundraising.

We’ll use the benefits of a peer network to build confidence to make challenging asks and learn from each other.

What’s expected of members?

  • Membership is free
  • Members can come and go inside the meetings
  • There is no requirement to attend every meeting
  • Our intention is to support each other
  • We aim to show up in solidarity to build confidence and skills
  • We will send you short feedback forms to make our meetings better

We invite members of different experience levels and will occasionally invite guests to speak as requested.

Why do individual giving fundraising for your cause?

Individual Giving is one of the most rewarding ways to grow unrestricted income and build a loyal base of supporters to keep your organisation sustainable into the future.

*Unrestricted income is money that isn’t conditional to a project or contract, and can be spent on anything needed to run the organisation like tech, administration, buildings etc.

We all know that grant funds can be unstable. The way many charitable organisations get around this is by having diverse and creative ways of making money. This helps them invest into things that grants won’t cover, but also, many funders now want to know that the organisation has other ways of securing money before awarding them money.

Not only does this money bring support to the organisation and look good to funders, but it also does something even more important: it builds loyal relationships with people.

People who could be supporters are often people who benefit from your services, professionals who work in a related industry, and/or powerful people who really care about the problem you’re trying to solve.

By asking people for money, however small the amount, they invest in your cause and are more likely to back you up in other ways like coming to events, signing petitions, joining rallies, or sending you ideas/feedback.

It’s a slower way of making money but very rewarding, and you can do it with little effort to build up over time and practice.

About your host

Alice has 6years experience working with individual giving fundraising for big national charities like the Scouts and NSPCC, (working on £multimillion budgets and 5year growth plans), and a couple of smaller charities too.

After starting my own businesses as a freelance marketer and a massage therapist, I know what it takes to work independently, and as part of a high performing team too.

My approach to coaching is to listen with sensitivity and reflect the smoothest ways to get the job done without pressure or unnecessary complications.

 We all want to do our work well but also live with joy and lightness – I hope for these calls to be uplifting environments where we can put the fun in FUNdraising.

It’s a corny saying, but in my experience its liberating to learn to ask for money with confidence.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month

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Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, held each November, aims to highlight the unique mental health struggles men face and encourage open conversations about mental health. While many men experience anxiety, depression, and stress, societal pressures can make it difficult for them to seek help, often resulting in silence and isolation.

Poor mental health can affect people of any gender, but mental health outcomes for men and women aren’t equal. Due to societal expectations of masculinity, men are less likely to talk to others about their feelings, so they suffer in silence.

This awareness month challenges stigmas, encourages men to seek support, and emphasises the importance of mental health services tailored for men. Through increased awareness, we can promote healthier coping strategies and foster supportive environments for men everywhere.

Tips for supporting Men’s Mental Health:

  • Encourage open conversations.
  • Normalise seeking therapy or counselling.
  • Promote self-care routines and healthy outlets for stress.
  • Foster supportive environments for men

Here are few organisations that provide support for men’s mental health:

To share resources for this article please contact communications@wandcareall.org.uk

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