Derby County Football Club and Community Trust are highlighting two important initiatives on 4th February.
World Cancer Day unites people, communities and entire countries to raise awareness and take action against cancer by supporting research, helping those living with a cancer diagnosis and spreading important awareness messaging.
Time To Talk Day encourages the nation to get talking about mental health. It aims to promote the ‘small’ conversations that can lead to busting more myths and breaking down more barriers, helping to end the isolation, shame and worthlessness that too many people with mental health problems are made to feel.
Ongoing projects at the Derby County Community Trust help to address these issues.
World Cancer Day
The Community Trust run projects to raise awareness of key cancer signs and symptoms, support those who have received a cancer diagnosis in the last five years and also prepare people for surgery and treatment.
Active Recovery is their longest running cancer rehabilitation project which has helped almost 500 patients following their cancer treatment. It aims to help build back stamina and strength, counteract the side effects of fatigue and create an inclusive community who can lean on each other, having shared similar experiences.
The timetable is currently running virtually and is welcoming new members following the completion of cancer treatment: derbycountycommunitytrust.com/programmes/health/active-recovery
Wellbeing For All aims to proactively raise awareness around key cancer signs and symptoms to increase the likelihood of early diagnosis, and therefore increase survival and rehabilitation rates. The project is particularly aimed at BAME and lower socio-economic communities where rates of certain cancers are significantly higher, yet knowledge of their signs and symptoms can be much lower.
Find out more: derbycountycommunitytrust.com/programmes/health/wellbeing-all
Time To Talk Day
There are several projects across the Community Trust which support those with mental health problems, or just need a network beyond their everyday life to talk to.
Team Talk is a men’s only mental health group which provides a safe place to chat about any issues, problems or just have a general catch up.
It is currently running virtually, three times a week. Find out more here: derbycountycommunitytrust.com/programmes/health/team-talk
Tackle It mirrors the Team Talk offer for teenage males aged 12-17. It helps those who may be working with or waiting for CAMHS’ support (Children’s Mental Health Services) and works on wellbeing, self-esteem, confidence and much more.
Tackle It is currently offering 1:1 virtual mentoring sessions. Find out more: derbycountycommunitytrust.com/programmes/mental-health/tackle-it
Extra Time Hub offers a weekly coffee morning for over 55s to chat. While mental health isn’t a focus of each meeting, it provides an important place to socialise for many people who live alone, particularly during the pandemic.
The virtual coffee morning takes place each Wednesday morning and you can find out more about getting involved here: derbycountycommunitytrust.com/programmes/health/efl-extra-time-hub
Other mental health projects range from supporting those with diagnosed mental health conditions to take part in physical activity to offering support in-house at psychiatric units. Due to ongoing restrictions, some of these activities are currently on hold, but if the Community Trust could offer you or someone you know support in any way, please get in touch at community@dcct.co.uk.