Health and Wellbeing Project
“Screening and early diagnosis saves lives, I’m excited to be part of extending this into marginalised communities through churches across our city.” - Catherine Hodgins - Health and Wellbeing Practitioner
Research shows that health inequalities can affect every stage of a person’s cancer journey—from limited access to screening and later diagnosis to reduced opportunities to seek advice and support.
Through this initiative, we will work closely with church groups and community organisations, many of which already run valuable outreach activities. The aim is not only to support individuals within these communities but also to empower volunteers with the knowledge and confidence to talk openly about cancer, share reliable information, and encourage people to seek advice and appropriate screening.
By strengthening community-led conversations and support networks, this project hopes to reduce barriers, improve awareness, and help more people access the services that can lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.
We would be delighted to speak with you or your volunteers to share more about the project and explore how we can work together with your church or community group.
Helping Older Adults Stay Protected
As a Christian charity, we are pleased to support the Plymouth Protects campaign, helping to raise awareness of vaccinations available to older adults and encouraging people to speak to their GP practice about the vaccines they may be eligible for.
RSV Vaccine
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a respiratory infection that can cause serious illness in older adults and can be life-threatening. Vaccination reduces the risk of severe complications.
The RSV vaccine is available free on the NHS for:
Anyone who lives in a care home
Anyone aged 75 or over
Shingles Vaccine
Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash on one side of the body and, in some people, that pain can last for months or even years. The risk of severe or long-lasting pain increases with age.
Getting vaccinated significantly reduces the risk of shingles and is available free on the NHS for:
People who turned 65 on or after 1 September 2023
Anyone aged 70–79
Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) Vaccine
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be very serious for older people, often requiring hospital treatment. The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis and is recommended for adults aged 65 and over.
Speak to Your GP
We encourage people aged 65 and over to speak to their GP practice about which vaccines they may be eligible for.
Cancer Resources
Local Useful Contacts
Chestnut Appeal - Men’s cancers www.chestnutappeal.org.uk 01752 792736 Primrose Foundation (Breast Cancer support) www.primrosefoundation.org 01752 975217
The Mustard Tree (Cancer support and advice centre, Derriford Hospital) www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/mustard-tree 01752 430060
Plymouth Citizens Advice Bureau 0808 278 7910 St Lukes Hospice www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk 01752 604194 It’s in the Bag – SW testicular support charity www.itsinthebag.org.uk
National Resources
Macmillan www.macmillan.org 0808 808 0000 Cancer Research www.cancerresearchuk.org 0808 800 4040
Cancer Care Map – to find local cancer services anywhere in the UK www.cancercaremap.org
Specific Cancer Support
Blood Cancers – www.bloodcancer.org.uk 0808 2080 888
Bowel Cancer UK www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk
Breast Cancer Now www.breastcancernow.org 0808 800 6000
Coppafeel www.coppafeel.org
Head and Neck Cancer Foundation www.hncf.org.uk 0330 1330 724 UK
Cervical Cancer www.cervicalcancer.org.uk
Odd Balls www.the oddballsfoundation.com
Prostate Cancer UK www.prostatecancer.uk.org 0800 074 8383
Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation www.roycastle.org 0333 323 7200
Skcin www.skcin.org 0115 981 9116
Target Ovarian Cancer www.targetovariancancer.org.uk 020 7923 5457
Catherine Hodgins
Health and Wellbeing Practitioner TPT
TPT are delighted to have Catherine Hodgins as our new Health and Wellbeing Practitioner. Catherine has spent her career in nursing, including seven years as a Practice Nurse in Stonehouse, and brings extensive experience in cancer and palliative care.
In her role with TPT, Catherine will focus on raising awareness of cancer prevention and early detection, and increasing the uptake of screening among marginalised communities. She will work closely with churches and community groups across the city to support volunteers and encourage people to access advice, support, and screening.