A Watford organisation and a national cancer charity have joined forces to tackle inequality in cancer treatment.

One Vision, which supports vulnerable people across Watford and Three Rivers, has teamed up with Macmillan Cancer Support after it found that the diverse ethnic minority communities in these areas have particular issues accessing treatment and support for the life-threatening disease.

The two organisations have now put out a call to volunteers from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BME) communities as part of their Cancer Champions project.

The chosen champions will engage with their communities to discuss the issues local people with the disease face and help improve the support they receive.

In a focus group session ahead of the project, one family member said: "I feel that if our family had had a ‘cancer champion’, we would not have fallen apart the way we did when our mum died.

"At least it would have given us more preparation and someone else to turn to for support, instead of just looking to each other. We were left floundering half the time, without knowing where we could get extra support."

The Watford and Three Rivers areas were chosen to receive a £350,000 investment from Macmillan due to their high cancer rates compared to other regions in the UK, according to research by Macmillan.

Founder and chief executive of One Vision Enoch Kanagaraj said: “Macmillan Cancer Support and One Vision are embarking on an exciting journey to create a shift in cancer support - one that is inclusive, accessible, and deeply rooted in the needs and values of the multi-ethnic and faith communities in the Watford area.

“Our goal is to transform patient outcomes, create supportive communities and networks and offer spaces for people living with cancer to share their experiences and offer mutual support.”

Munashe Munyukwi, Macmillan engagement lead in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire, said he was “thrilled” about the collaboration with One Vision.

He added: “This partnership is a pivotal step towards reaching and providing tailored cancer support services to multi-ethnic and faith communities. 

“Our joint endeavour is not just about extending our reach; it's about deepening our impact and ensuring that every individual, regardless of their background, has access to appropriate, culturally sensitive cancer support at any stage of their journey, ensuring that the support we provide is not just effective but also resonates with the diverse needs of the people we serve."