Communities Against Cancer

Reducing health inequalities for people with a learning disability and autism

Thanks to a small grant from Wessex Cancer Alliance, the Friday Network group have produced two short films on key signs of cancer and cancer prevention. The group planned the content of the films based on their previous work with the specialist NHS learning disability health team, and made them with support from the My Marketing Tools team at Basingstoke Voluntary Action. We hope the films will help reduce health inequalities by promoting healthy lifestyles and prevention among the wider community of people with a learning disability and/or autism.

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Preventing Cancer

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The Friday Network group enjoyed making the films, they felt it was important to let people have the right information, and said they were proud of themselves for “telling the world to keep safe”. One of the NHS learning disability strategic health facilitators said “the messages are good/simple and clear, if they encourage anyone to visit the doctors earlier than they would otherwise [then it is] absolutely worth it! Brilliant work!”

We would love to hear if these films have helped make a difference to you or your family.

What People Think of us...

“We can’t believe you work with so many people using such a small staff team!”

NHS leadership course

“Being part of the self advocacy groups has really helped me settle into Basingstoke after moving here a year ago.”

Person with a learning disability

“Thanks for confirming [the referral]. To reiterate what I said in my last email, the service provided so far from Speakeasy has been very helpful and much appreciated.”

Local Authority DOLS office

The weight loss charts the advocate did with me have helped me eat the right foods. It’s made a real difference to my life I have never felt so happy. It’s stopped me going back to the dark place (self harm).”

Person with a learning disability

“Thanks for your quick response. I rang the family to say I had made the referral and they said the advocate was seeing them the next day!”

HCC social work team manager

“I have heard such great things about your Advocacy Safety Net Project from the Social Prescribers, it will be such a shame if it can’t continue”

Primary Care Network Wellbeing Team

“Without you I am not sure where I could have gone, or what would have happened”

Family Carer Of Person With Autism And Mental Health Issues

‘Thank you for all your support with K as I haven’t a clue where to start with finding employment opportunities and helping them become more independent, I am struggling with day to day issues that K presents’.

Family carer of person with a learning disability

“Thank you so much for persevering with us, we really appreciate you checking in with us over a period of time. So many other services are quick to ‘close your case’ and you have to chase them up”

Family carer of person with learning disability

“Thank you very much for all your time, effort and support; it has meant a lot and helped me immensely.”

Person with autism needing support to get help from Citizen’s Advice and the DWP to challenge their PIP decision

Many thanks for all your help and support with all our patients that we have referred to you and I hope that Speakeasy are able to get hold of some more funds as your services are amazing.’

Social Prescriber from GP surgery

“I am impressed with how much you have achieved for people living in the Hart & Rushmoor area, I’m surprised what you have done with a small team! Amazing work unpicking the issues that others didn’t understand or have time to explore”

HCC service development officer

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