Macmillan is pleading with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in Cumbria to seek early help for medical difficulties.
Working closely with Midlands-based company, Rural Media, Macmillan has launched its Don’t face it alone video to support these communities.
Claire Knight, Strategic Engagement Manager for Macmillan, said: “Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are known to face some of the most severe health inequalities amongst the UK population.
“Many struggle to access healthcare which means health issues often get dealt with when they become urgent. Taking a prevention approach, which is informed by cultural and social awareness of people in these communities, means health outcomes can be dramatically improved.
“This video gave us insights about these communities and we now hope the video will encourage people from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities to get early help and to talk to professionals, family and friends about their experience and also understand the barriers to getting help.”
The video was created after conversations and interviews with people in the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities who gave key insights about cancer, highlighted key areas of knowledge and access to services and gave recommendations for further work by Macmillan.
Those interviewed were across a range of ages and were able to give information where they had both negative and positive experiences of cancer services.
“What Macmillan are good at, is helping to pick you up from those low days and helping you to move on,” Romany Gypsy Chris Smith, said.
Romany Gypsy Lena McAllister, from Carlisle, hopes the video will encourage friends and family to get more support, earlier: “If you’re ill or you feel like something’s wrong, go to the doctor. The faster you find out things, the faster you can get treatment, try not to bury your head in the sand,” she said.
Ruth Stalley, Cancer Information and Support Team Leader, was interviewed for the video.
“We understand how daunting it can be to pick up the phone or even just to tell people that you have been diagnosed. It is such a difficult conversation to have. If you struggle to use particular words or if you find it difficult to talk about it in certain terms, we’ll look at that and find the right support for you.”
Watch the video below:
Macmillan’s national support line is also open every day between 8am to 8pm. Anyone affected by cancer can call free on 0808 808 0000.
The website, www.macmillan.org.uk, has lots of information and an option for you to chat to an expert online.
