Project Overview
Macmillan Cancer Support, a leading UK cancer charity, recognised a critical gap in their services: Their support systems primarily catered to a demographic that was predominantly Caucasian and middle-aged. To better serve all communities, Macmillan knew they needed to better understand the unique experiences of global majority groups. This is where Black Women Rising (BWR) came into the picture:
BWR, a trailblazing charity dedicated to supporting Black women affected by cancer, was approached by Macmillan to spearhead an evaluation project. The objective? To collect firsthand insights from Black women about their experiences with cancer care in the UK —Insights that would help Macmillan shape more inclusive and effective support services.
My role in this project was to bring these voices to the forefront, ensuring that the feedback collected was captured accurately, respectfully, and in a way that could drive real change. Working closely with both BWR and Macmillan, we began by creating a structured interview process: With Macmillan providing a list of key questions designed to uncover the specific needs, challenges, and experiences of Women of Colour in the cancer care system. I then conducted 6x group interviews with 30 of BWR’s beneficiaries (including Black and Indian women) who shared their stories openly and honestly.
Once the interviews were completed, I took the unprocessed interview notes and meticulously crafted them into a comprehensive report. This report not only captured the voices of dozens of women but also highlighted how Macmillan could improve their services to further support Women of Colour in their cancer experiences.
Project Outcome
The evaluation project had a significant impact on all parties involved. Here’s a breakdown of what we achieved:
- Elevated Voices of Women of Colour:
- Through this project, the experiences of Women of Colour with cancer were not only heard, but deeply understood by Macmillan. The report provided a platform for these women to share their challenges, helping to shine a light on the disparities they face in cancer care in the UK.
- Data-Driven Insights for Macmillan:
- The report distilled findings from the interviews into actionable insights. Macmillan could see clear patterns in the data that pointed to areas where their services needed improvement, particularly in terms of cultural sensitivity, accessibility, and awareness of dynamics within communities of global majority groups.
- Strengthened Collaboration Between Charities:
- This project strengthened the partnership between BWR and Macmillan. It set a precedent for how larger, more established charities like Macmillan can work closely with grassroots organisations to better serve diverse communities.
- Continued Focus on Inclusivity:
- As a result of this project, Macmillan is more committed than ever to ensuring their services are inclusive to all. They've acknowledged the need for continuous learning and adaptation, and this project was a critical first step in that journey.
Overall, this project was a powerful example of what can be achieved when VCSE organisations listen to and act on the experiences of those they aim to serve. By working together, BWR and Macmillan are paving the way for a more inclusive approach to cancer care—one that recognises and addresses the unique needs of all communities - An accomplishment that’s something worth celebrating!
"We enjoyed working with Janinah on our Black Women Rising x Macmillan project. She was professional, knew what she was doing, and was punctual to deadlines and all meetings. The end-of-project report was thorough and well designed - We would be happy to use her services again if future projects arise."
— Charlotte Crowl, Black Women Rising - Project Lead
