Voluntary groups showing up to help their communities
Projects to raise public awareness about spotting the early signs of cancer, getting tested and staying well, have been springing up across Barnsley this year thanks to funding and support given to voluntary groups across the borough.
Barnsley’s Take Action Live Longer (TALL) initiative was launched in April to offer not-for-profit voluntary organisations up to £10,000 to develop community-led projects focused on educating the public about signs and symptoms of cancer and how to improve their overall health.
Several projects were granted funds by Barnsley’s Community and Voluntary Services (CVS) in partnership with the South Yorkshire & Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance and NHS South Yorkshire ICB.
Part of the money was spent on training in behavioural science techniques designed to help staff and volunteers understand people’s fears and anxieties about getting tested and to reassure them of the benefits.
Now the projects, which began in the summer and included a variety of approaches including awareness events and drop-in sessions, will be showcased at a celebration event in October.
Each group that received the funding will present their work and reveal how it is making a difference across Barnsley.
We are really looking forward to seeing the projects prosper over the coming months and improve the lives of our Barnsley residents and we’ll keep you updated on the celebration event and how work is progressing.