Events and activities

The work we do is developing continuously and we have the opportunity to be creative and work with communities to provide awareness and prevention packages that are tailored to their needs.

These are some of our recent events and activities, and plans for the coming years.

Events

GP event

The community team continue to host the ever-popular GP event for all GPs and trainee GPs across Oxfordshire.

It provides an opportunity for GPs to come together to meet the Urology and Oncology Consultants and team from the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. They are provided with a full afternoon of talks ranging from new techniques to pathway and current service updates and information. They have the opportunity to ask questions in a relaxed atmosphere and also the time to network with colleagues.

This event is run every 2 years.

Living Life to the Full Thrivorship Event

Survivorship was always the ‘buzz’ word in cancer for how you coped after a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

This has subsequently been preceded by “Thrivorship” which encourages a person to Live Life to the Full and continue to thrive following treatment of cancer. It is a more positive mindset rather than just surviving!

We held a similar event in 2017. It was widely attended and enjoyed by so many patients and their partners. A really valuable event that encouraged networking and sign posting. We have been asked by the Uro- Oncology Team to host a further event in November 2019. This type of event should not be undervalued as the benefits of such an event have proven to be vast.

Testicular Health and Well Being Events

The Uro-Oncology Team now run a specific Health and Well Being programme for patients who meet certain criteria. We support this event that runs 4 times a year.

Guest Speakers

We are invited to a number of community groups to give presentations on awareness and prevention. The groups range from Rotary clubs to patient and support groups.

Networking

Networking is vital for the community team. We are a small team and rely very much on people requesting our involvement and support.

We spend a lot of time building relationships which health professionals, patient groups and extended communities.

This has proven to be time well spent as it has opened up many doors to aid development and progress.

Changing the way patients are cared for

We raised the opportunity of altering the follow up programme of patients with testicular cancer with the Uro-oncology Team. This idea was well received.

We supported the change management of the service that has led to a stratified follow up programme being developed.

Testicular Cancer Network and National Germ Cell Group

UCARE sit on the Testicular Cancer Network and National Germ Cell Group.

This invitation has given us the opportunity to work with other charities and advocates that are doing amazing work to bring life-saving awareness, support and research to young men in their communities.

We come together to share best-practise and medical information; offering a common voice to our common goal – to save lives through early detection and to improve the lives of those affected by testicular cancer.

Hummingbird Cancer Support and Therapy Centre Volunteer Programme

In 2018 we developed and ran “An Introduction to Cancer Course”. This was a bespoke course for the 40 volunteers of the Hummingbird Centre in Launton. These sessions also enabled the volunteers to ask the many practical and emotional questions that arise in their day to day care.

The feedback was very positive and we have been asked to go back to provide a further six month more in-depth course on specific cancer related topics.

Business Events

We hope to reach out to businesses and help them focus on the needs of their workforce. We look forward to working with the Amplified Group as we move into the world of business.

Branching out in Bucks

The Community Team have been given a rare opportunity to present to the BUCKS County Council Safety Team. This is a fantastic opportunity and enables us to move into Buckinghamshire and focus on raising public awareness about Health and Well Being and prevention of disease in this county. We hope to work more with Bucks County Council in the future.

GP Newsletter

As a result of the GP event being so well received we have been asked to provide a newsletter from the Uro-oncology department with updates and news and information. It will be focussed on GPs and aims to support their practice. Watch this space…