1. Volunteers project Right From the Start/Homestart
Mal Smith & Helen Jessop

2. PROJECT AIM
Work in partnership with ‘Right From The Start’ voluntary organisation,
Train volunteers in breast and cervical screening
Inform women about breast and cervical screening and link of HPV to cervical cancer in Caerphilly Borough over a six month period

3. Background
To raise awareness of cancer screening and respond to opportunities for health promotion
Develop more creative ways of reaching vulnerable groups
Screening uptakes lower in areas of socio-economic deprivation
Increased cancers in socially deprived areas (NCIN, 2008)
Multi-agency approach

4. Background con’t

5. Right From The Start
Voluntary organisation - supports young families on safety, health & wellbeing, early years intervention est.1995
Project funded by WAG.
Parenting Programme assisted by volunteers.
Facilitates empowerment

6. Volunteers Volunteers were recruited from the local community.
Backgrounds varied, included:
Retired Social worker, Newborn Hearing screener, La Leche League worker, those wanting to gain experience and skills to help return to work.
All had a keen interest in health and social care.
15 volunteers participated in the project.

7. Volunteers continued Placed with families identified as vulnerable
Undergone 10 week training programme
- confidentiality, Health & Safety.
- Child protection, CRB checked
Funded for expenses
Covered by ‘RFTS’ insurance.
Placed with families identified as vulnerable
- behavioural problems, LD, drugs, alcohol, poverty
Homes Risk assessed prior to visits

8. Volunteers community visits
Opportunistic discussions about health screening.
Identify barriers to screening.
Develop relationship over time, subtle approach, discuss over a number of visits
Facilitate overcoming barriers.
Complete audit after visit

9. Screening Services Training
Cervical & breast screening overview
Roles & responsibilities.
Recognition of limitations of role.
Awareness Informed consent issues
Need for supervision
Photo

10. Signposting Resource pack Screening information leaflets
Directory of health & social agencies within area
Sexual health clinics
Women’s Aid
NSPCC
New Pathways

11. Monitoring project activity
Supervision
To provide confidential support to the volunteers, address issues encountered and gain project feedback.
Telephone consultation and regular meetings with Volunteers’ Manager.
Screening Services did not have direct supervision contact with volunteers.

12. Monitoring project activity cont’d
Audit forms devised to provide quantitative and qualitative data.
To monitor level of support (if any) given by the volunteers to their clients.
Identify barriers to screening eg. Literacy, child care, transport, financial.
29 audit forms completed

13. Significant Findings:
28% of women had never attended for cervical screening.
27% of women needed help with literacy.
21% clients were supported when attending 1st appointments.
29% clients needed support with follow up appointments / treatment.
41% clients received assistance with transport arrangements.

14. Implications of findings
Higher risk of developing cancer if never screened
Literacy issue - raises questions about level of public information, ability to read invitation letters ? leaflets? screening results? first and follow-up appointments?
Lack of transport – problems attending appointments

15. Qualitative Data continued
Psychosexual issues - “Will not attend for screening as she does not want anyone ‘down there!”
Previous negative experiences having a smear – raising anxieties concerning future visits.
Specific issues with women with learning disabilities
Financial issues eg bus fares, childcare.

16. Qualitative Data continued
Signposting for contraceptive services, unplanned pregnancies, STI’s, hypertension
Mental health & psychological services
Educational support for children
Erratic children’s diet & poor hygiene ? because of drug/alcohol problems CP.
Young offenders behaviour Group – Anger management.

17. Qualitative Data continued
Breast cancer genetics service.
Issues around breast implants and screening.
Client has taken mother for screening, diagnosed breast cancer, undergoing treatment.

18. Six month evaluation
Questionnaire designed by Screening Services to be completed by volunteers six months after project commenced.
Measure effectiveness of training project outcomes.
Further qualitative data emerged.

19. Unexpected outcomes for volunteers
Positive benefits to volunteers:
Reported rewarding experience, helping others, boost confidence and self-esteem.
Jobs – enhanced job opportunities (midwife, RFTS)

20. Unexpected outcomes for volunteers
Education – returning to study, Access courses, increase future career prospects.
Appropriately advising families, friends and colleagues, knowing when & where to refer.
Volunteers acknowledging significant personal health problems and taking action.

21. Problems encountered Administration from RFTS.
Lack of supervision from Screening Services.
Ensuring volunteers are not pressuring clients into attending for screening.
Delays in feedback of audit and evaluation.
Nature of volunteering – regular turnover
Ongoing training issues and funding

22. Future Projects - Homestart
Home-Start offers support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children in local communities throughout the UK
Based in areas of social deprivation

23. Taking it further?
Volunteers in Cwm Rhymney and Caerphilly have received training in breast, cervical and bowel screening
Development of ‘Tool-kit’ - template for guidance
Exploring development of Screening Services Volunteer programme

24. Thank you for listening
For further information contact:
Helen Jessop, Screening Promotion Officer
Tel:
Mal Smith, CSW Nurse Co-ordinator
Tel:

25. Diolch yn fawr Thank you very much