In Doncaster, we have been working with the Council and representatives from community interest companies to deliver Community Reporter training and gather stories themed on people’s experiences of cancer. The goal is to use what people have shared in these stories to make improvements to how people impacted by cancer are cared for.

The training was delivered in the form of in-person workshops and people learned Community Reporter Skills including:

• Storytelling Techniques: The different ways we can support people to tell their lived experience stories
• Responsible Practice: How to look after ourselves and others whilst gathering and sharing stories
• Digital Skills: How technology can be used to record and share lived experience stories
• Sense Making: The value of lived experience stories and how they can be used to create change

So far Community Reporters have collected 21 lived experience stories in the form of photographs, written pieces of text, video interviews, monologues and audio recordings. From first-hand accounts, to stories of people caring for friends, family and loved ones facing cancer, the 2 hours of footage explores screening, diagnosis, referrals, treatment, recovery, living life with cancer and more.

We are creating a short film, using clips from each of the stories, which will be screened at the Conversation of Change event that is set to take place in the coming months. The event will be a chance for people to watch the film, hear insights from the stories and discuss what’s working well and what needs to change when it comes to providing care for people impacted by cancer in Doncaster. The plan is to invite decision makers and people who can influence change to hear the stories and discuss how best they can support progress in cancer care.

Key themes that have emerged from the stories so far and will be explored during the COC include the following:

• Early Intervention
• Communication between professionals
• Health advocacy
• The human experience

If you’re interested in knowing more about the Conversation of Change event, please get in touch for more info: georgia@peoplesvoicemedia.co.uk

If you’d like to hear the stories in full, head over to the Community Reporter website by following the link: Well Doncaster | Community Reporter Network

If you or someone you know has been impacted by cancer, and you are looking for support – here as some organisations that could help:

• Firefly: Charity offering free transport to local cancer patients and their families in the borough of Doncaster to regional treatment hospitals.
• Cancer Support UK: Information about useful and relevant charities/bodies who offer help and support to people affected by a cancer diagnosis.
• Macmillan: Find out how Macmillan can support you and get information about different cancer types.

A huge thank you goes out to the Community Reporters and storytellers who have gathered and shared their stories with us as part of this project.

Throughout August, we have delivered 2 days of Community Reporter Training as part of our ongoing work with Well Doncaster.

Community members from across the region came together to develop new approaches to lived experience storytelling. They learnt about story gathering techniques, including dialogue interviews, snapshot stories, and personal monologues, and how different recording methods and approaches can be used to capture these elements. We covered the basics of photography, audio recording, and how to capture videos with the people they intend to interview. The group also explored what responsible practice looks like, bringing in their own knowledge and expertise into the discussion, helping to equip them with the ethical tools to approach storytelling in a safe and responsible way.

The group will now work towards gathering a set of stories exploring community members’ experiences with living through and accessing cancer services in the local area, receiving a five-hundred-pound grant per person for their commitment and contributions. These stories will be uploaded to the Community Reporter Website to help build a picture of current cancer care services in and around Doncaster. Looking ahead, as part of the Well Doncaster Project, we will be co-hosting a Conversation of Change Event, which will see community members, reporters, and cancer support sector workers come together to discuss what changes need to happen to improve the current system.

Stay tuned for more updates!