A statement from Cancer Support UK has expressed delighted in announcing a new partnership with a global wellbeing consultancy which has been instrumental in creating healthy workplace cultures for over 15 years.
With almost one million people of working age diagnosed with cancer, organisations increasingly need to be prepared to support those impacted whether directly or indirectly.
The Wellbeing Project’s extensive experience in providing sustainable organisational wellbeing solutions makes them ideally placed to raise awareness of Cancer Support UK’s innovative Workplace Cancer Support Ambassador training programme.
The Workplace Cancer Support Ambassador training provides a high-level introduction to cancer and cancer treatments and gives individuals in organisations the confidence and skills to support colleagues facing cancer.
Commenting on the new partnership, Mark Guymer, Cancer Support UK’s CEO, said: “The Wellbeing Project’s passion for wellbeing in the workplace, aligns perfectly with our values and our determination to improve emotional support at work both for people facing a personal cancer diagnosis and those caring for loved ones with cancer.
“It is absolutely key to have a deep understanding of human behaviour when working with people living with and beyond cancer. As a cancer charity, we are experts in communicating about cancer and we are confident that, in choosing The Wellbeing Project as our partner, we will have a trusted and knowledgeable ally, who shares our commitment to delivering wellbeing solutions for businesses and their people.”
The Wellbeing Project said: “We are looking forward to working with Cancer Support UK to deliver the Workplace Cancer Support Ambassador Training. This pioneering programme is based on a solid foundation of people’s actual lived experience, and we believe it has a vital role to play in creating workplaces where those who are facing cancer feel fully supported.”
With at least 85% of employees saying how important it is for them to keep working after a cancer diagnosis, there is an urgent requirement for employers to understand the needs of colleagues affected by cancer and to support them appropriately.
The half day Workplace Cancer Support Ambassador course addresses how to meet those needs. It explores both the physical and emotional side effects of cancer and cancer treatments and provides the necessary skills to have supportive conversations with individuals impacted by cancer. It also supports the Ambassadors themselves to prioritise their own wellbeing as they support others.
In this video, Mark Guymer, CEO of Cancer Support UK, focuses on the importance of talking about cancer in the workplace and the need to train people in organisations to support colleagues facing a cancer diagnosis. Please feel free to use this video.
For more information about the Workplace Cancer Support Ambassador training, visit this link.