Penny Brohn UK, a leading cancer charity, hosted a free event in Walsall for people living with breast cancer. The event, specifically designed to support women with breast cancer from the Asian community in and around Walsall, was the first of its kind to deliver the information in Urdu and Punjabi as well as English.

The Introduction to Living Well Morning took place on 17 October at Manor Hospital and was attended by 13 women living with breast cancer who all go to a support group called Umeedh (Hope) organised by Naheed Razzaq, Outreach Information and Support Officer at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.

The event addressed cancer’s physical and psychological impact and showed how healthy eating, exercise and relaxation can improve health and wellbeing, before, during and after medical treatment. The group shared their stories about how they try to live well with cancer and spent time learning relaxation and breathing techniques to reduce stress.

Satwar Kaur Randy who attended the event described it as a “brilliant course” and Palo Kaur Mand said “it helped a lot and I learned things I never knew before”.

Naheed Razzaq, Outreach Information and Support Officer at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust said: “Our amazing BME Breast cancer group is called “Umeedh” (Hope). We had an absolutely brilliant morning session. It’s the first time the ladies have had a chance to participate in a “Living Well” course which has been culturally tailored for their needs.”

Sophie Jones, Group Facilitator and Regional Partnership Manager (Midlands) Penny Brohn UK said: “Working together with Group Facilitator, Khadija Bakali translating meant everyone benefited from the practical and emotional support that the Introduction to Living Well course offers. I am thrilled to be able to offer this service and to hear how much it has helped those people living with cancer. The group were very generous and we received over £110 in donations.”

Khadija Bakali, Group Facilitator said: “This was the first time we have ever delivered a Living Well event using multilingual skills. When someone is stressed their first language is the most effective way to communicate and help them make changes and get support. By presenting the event in Urdu and Punjabi the attendees were able to benefit much more from the knowledge they received.”

With over 38 years’ experience, Penny Brohn UK recognises that people with cancer need more than medicine.

Its Bristol Whole Life Approach provides integrated whole person cancer support that works alongside medical treatment to achieve the best health and wellbeing.

The approach explores areas such as diet, exercise, relationships and managing stress, through free residential courses at the National Centre near Bristol and day courses across the country, one-to-one therapies, groups and national helpline.