News

Revised inclusion team grants program 

We have launched a new grants programme to replace our Helping You Help Others and Inclusion User Involvement grants for groups and individuals who support people affected by cancer or campaign to improve cancer care.

Contact our Inclusion team on 020 7840 4936 or resources@macmillan.org.uk| to request a copy of the new grants guidelines or download them.|

Our new Cancer Voices resource

Throughout 2011 we've been piloting a new resource for Cancer Voices 'Have your say – Your guide to being a Cancer Voice’. The resource provides a bit more information about Cancer Voices, how you can get involved and what support there is available to you when doing so. The reviews of the resource have been very positive so we'd now like to send it out more widely.

New Cancer Voices will receive a copy of the resource  when they register. If you’re a current Cancer Voice and you’d like to receive a copy , please email cancervoices@macmillan.org.uk| or phone 020 70912006.

Networking opportunity

Would you like to chat to other Cancer Voices and share your experience of volunteering for us? We’re creating a group on Macmillan’s online community, which will give you the opportunity to do just that.

New Cancer Voices will receive details of the group when they register. If you’re a current Cancer Voice and you’d like to join the online group, please email cancervoices@macmillan.org.uk|  for further information or to apply to join the new group.

This group will be a place for you to network, share tips and find out about new opportunities. If you're not already a Cancer Voice, please find out more about joining the Cancer Voices Network|.

Your Macmillan team

We've got a team of people based across the country dedicated to making sure Macmillan's work is centred around people. They're known as Macmillan Involvement Coordinators (MICs) and they make sure individuals, groups and all communities have the opportunity to shape and improve cancer services.

How do they do this? MICs offer advice and support to, what we call, 'user involvement' groups - so that includes Cancer Voices and support groups. They promote the importance of involving you and identify work that would benefit from your input.

We want to make sure everyone receives the same standard of support no matter who they are, where they come from or what cancer they have. MICs play a key role in making this a reality. They work with communities to help raise awareness and improve access to local cancer services, as well as spreading the word about how Macmillan can support them.

Cancer Voices conference 2013

This annual two day event is a great opportunity for you to hear about how Cancer Voices and Macmillan are working together, and to find out what new opportunities there are for you to get involved.

This year’s event is taking place from Friday 20 – Saturday 21 September at the Hilton London Gatwick Hotel. It’s free to attend as we cover all of the costs, including accommodation, food, parking and travel.

Delegates will have the opportunity to:

• contribute to discussions, debates and give your thoughts on how we can improve cancer services
• meet people who have had similar experiences
• hear about the future direction of Macmillan
• find information and resources.

Last year’s event

Over 270 Cancer Voices attended last year's conference, which made it the largest to date. There were a range of workshops, keynote sessions and engaging exhibition stands offered from teams across the organisation which all received positive feedback.

The conference remained a 'safe place' for delegates and enabled them to meet new and old faces. It also took a step forward in terms of highlighting the user involvement opportunities available.