Tees Valley Health & Wellbeing Events – Communications Plan Catalyst has received funding from the Northern Cancer Alliance till March 2019 to link up clinical teams and wider VCSE services to improve the quality of life for those ‘Living With & Beyond Cancer’ (LWBC) across Tees Valley. We are working with partners to co-ordinate 10 Health & Wellbeing events across 5 localities as DATE EVENT VENUE TIME Fri 26 th Oct 2018 Stockton The Destiny Centre 10am – 3pm Wed 7 th Nov 2018 Hartlepool CETL 10am – 3pm Fri 16 th Nov 2018 Darlington Northern Echo Arena 10am – 3pm Tues 20 th Nov 2018 Redcar Inspire 2 Learn 10am – 3pm Mon 3 rd Dec 2018 Middlesbrough Mbro Town Hall 10am – 3pm shown below: (Italics = provisional only) Key Partners • Michelle Thompson • Healthwatch Hartlepool • Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency (MVDA) • Redcar & Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency (RCVDA) • Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Darlington • County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) • North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust (NTHFT) • South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STHFT) Supported By: Updated 16 th Oct 2018 Background This communications plan will be shared with the LWBC Tees Valley partners and ‘VCSE Cancer Links’ to ensure a joined up approach to promoting the LWBC project – and in particular the 10 Health & Wellbeing events across the region. The focus will be on raising awareness of ‘Living With & Beyond Cancer’ as a concept – with motivational, inspirational and positive messages to show patients that they can be supported to live well after their diagnosis/treatment and improve continuing self-care. We are hoping to reach as many diverse communities as possible with cross sector promotion and a ‘holistic’ approach to what services/project/groups should be included. Target Audience (Tees Valley) • General Public • Cancer Patients (Post diagnosis and/or treatment) • Carers • Ageing population • Young People • Health & care staff • Voluntary Sector • ‘VCSE Cancer Links’ Key Messages: Draft Examples to use “We are holding events in your area to promote local support and community projects available to people living with cancer, carers, families and friends.” “You don’t have to ‘just cope’ with the side-effects of your cancer diagnosis/treatment – support is available to help you live well, happy and manage your condition” “If you are worried about the impact of cancer on your family, finances, social life, work life or general wellbeing…” “Feeling exhausted or experiencing other symptoms from your cancer treatment… holistic therapies, social groups and other activities can help you to feel better” “Know someone who has been affected by cancer?...” “Cancer affects the whole family - support is also available to carers and close loved ones who may want to seek advice and time for respite” “Linking YOU to the support YOU need in YOUR community” “What matters to you? Come along and tell us” “Get help to make the choices you need to take back control, so you can start to feel like yourself again!” “When you have cancer you don’t just worry about what will happen to your body, you worry about what will happen to your life. Come along and find out how your community can help you! From help with money worries and advice about work, to people who’ll listen if you just want to talk. We’re here for you” Updated 16 th Oct 2018 “Feeling unsure of where to get support post treatment? Feel forgotten or isolated? Worried about what the future holds? Come along and find out how your community can help you!” “From chronic pain and fatigue, to eating issues, incontinence, panic attacks or depression, life after treatment for many people can be just as tough as cancer treatment itself, and can severely impact on someone’s quality of life” “People often don’t know what to expect or where to turn for help after treatment ends. They can feel abandoned at a time when they need support to get back on their feet” Does that sound like you?” “Do you want the confidence and tools to manage your own health, so you’re aware of what support is available?” Do you want to feel empowered to raise concerns with your healthcare professional? This event is for you!” NOTE: We quite like the phrase ‘Living Well: With & Beyond Cancer’ rather than just ‘Living With & Beyond Cancer’ – something to think about! Communications Channels – Examples A ‘central’ article will be produced on the Catalyst website with a brief overview of the project and information/details on all of the events – including contact details, Facebook event links, RSVP links and posters. This article can be linked to from all partners as a ‘one stop shop’ for information on ‘LWBC events in your area’. Local Media: • Evening Gazette – ‘Patient Story’ • Stockton News • Hartlepool Life • Hartlepool Mail • Radio Hartlepool • Northern Echo • Darlington and Stockton Times • Star Radio • Radio Tees • TFM • Heart • Tyne Tees • BBC Look North Voluntary Sector: • Networking forums and other events • Catalyst e-bulletin • VCSE E-bulletins including all Local Healthwatch in the area • Macmillan website – www.macmillan.org.uk/in-your-area/choose-location • ‘VCSE Cancer Links’ own bulletins, sessions etc. Networking session on 27 th Sep (for HAST Area). • Peer support groups • Local Carer groups and organisations • Stallholders and workshops to promote involvement. “I’m attending…” Updated 16 th Oct 2018 Health & Care: • Foundation Trust Communication Departments (Internal & External comms) • Invite letters to patients (from Cancer Nurse) – info in diagnosis/discharge packs • Cancer Information Centres (Poster displays and volunteers to promote) • Public Health departments (dedicated comms person) • GP Care co-ordinators at H&SH (or similar) • Cancer Locality Meetings and through local Macmillan GP’s • CRUK Facilitators/ GP Practice Cancer Champions • New Cancer Community Development Co-ordinators • CCG websites • Local Authority websites • Nursing and Residential Care Homes • Hospice Providers • Domiciliary Care Providers • Health and Wellbeing Boards - specifically ask LA to forward to these • Health Partnership Scrutiny Committees – as above • Local Councillors and MP’s – as above • Local Fire Brigade – (they carry out health and safety checks in residents homes) Social Media: • Create a shared hashtag - #LWBCEvents2018 • Use of Twitter/Facebook/Websites (CCG, Trusts, Catalyst, VCSE, Healthwatch etc.) • Large ‘Sponsored’ Facebook campaign for whole of Tees Valley – reach wider community. Plus local campaigns in each area (can target audience!) • Create ‘Facebook events’ for each event • Local council’s social media via comms/engagement team (good reach) • Eventbrite Registration link to RSVP. Can also email those who have signed up in lead-up to the events. • Taster Session/Workshop/Speaker focuses? E.g – Little Sprouts will be holding a easy-to-do healthy cooking taster session as part of the event. (Image/video to share) Physical Distribution: (Healthwatch,Cancer Info Centre & other volunteers could support?) • Community Centres/Village Halls • Libraries • GP Practices • Hospitals/Clinics • Pharmacies • ‘VCSE Cancer Links’ own venues • Places of Worship • Supermarkets • Parish Councils • Local Gyms Updated 16 th Oct 2018 Branding/Marketing Materials: • Posters/flyers (‘Master’ poster with all events plus ‘local’ posters) – designed by Catalyst for consistent branding. • Use photos, quotes/feedback from previous events to help promote. • LWBC Logo, Macmillan Logo, NCA logo, Local Logos (E.g NTHFT, CDDFT) • Shirts/badges, pop up banners, ‘selfie frame’. Any other promo items?? Could be quite creative with this one! • ‘Goodie Bag’ with LWBC branded materials: o Totebag o Pedometer o Pen/Notepad o Stressball o Trolley Coin o Water bottle o Stallholder contact list Draft Action Plan: (To be updated) Action When? Who By? Comms plan shared By 13 th Aug. Discuss on 26 th Sep (Tees meeting) Appendices/templates done By 7 th September Catalyst Posters agreed/ developed September Catalyst Posters printed September All Partners Posters distributed September All partners Social Media Posts September/October/November All partners Press Articles September/October/November All partners VCSE Comms done September/October/November All partners Health Comms done September/October/November All partners Local Authority comms done September/October/November All partners LIST OF APPENDICES: 1. Template Patient Invitation Letter (Attached separately) 2. Example Press Release 3. Example Social Media Messages 4. Draft statement for websites/intranet/bulletins etc. 5. List of ‘VCSE Cancer Links’ Organisations for reference 6. Image versions of logos etc. to use Updated 16 th Oct 2018 Appendix 2: Example Press Release Insert logo Press Release Date…. PR/your ref/ ‘Living with and beyond cancer’ event in Patients and carers are invited to an event, organised in collaboration with <insert organisations>, at <insert venue> on <insert date and timings>. The day has been developed to support patients and carers living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis, ensuring they are offered a package of advice and support to enable them to move forward and manage the consequences of their diagnosis and treatment. Inspirational speakers, taster sessions and local organisations will cover topics such as diet, exercise, financial support, emotional well-being and health awareness which will help patients adapt to their new ‘normal’ and to support a healthy lifestyle. During the day there will be an opportunity for patients and carers