We are starting a new conversation!

5 May 2023

Velindre Cancer Service is calling on anyone with an interest in helping to shape the future of cancer care in south-east Wales to have their voices heard by joining Velindre Voices - our new patient and community forum.

Velindre Voices will deliver a means for anyone to engage with us, influence our work and have your voice heard in a way that suits you. From simply keeping in touch and receiving updates on areas of interest, to becoming part of focus groups, volunteering or becoming a member of the Patient Engagement and Involvement Group or Community Panel, there is no minimum time commitment and members of the panel can be involved in as much or as little as they wish.

Sue Youngman is a former patient at Velindre and has been actively involved in the Velindre Patient Liaison Group for over 10 years.  She said: "I have always valued the opportunity to use my lived experiences to help shape future services. I have always found the centre to be receptive to my insight and I'm excited that this new engagement panel will give even more opportunities for service users to have their voices heard.”

Commenting on the launch of Velindre Voices, Lisa Miller, Head of Patient Engagement at Velindre University NHS Trust said: “This is a really exciting time for Velindre as we open the registration process for those that are interested in joining.

"We want to hear from a wide range of voices from many different backgrounds to help us ensure our future service design is informed by the views of people that have experienced our treatment and care. There will be many different ways to get involved and all views will be welcomed. We’d urge anyone with a passion for improving cancer care in south-east Wales to join our patient panel and have their voices heard”.

As the new Velindre Cancer Centre design and build moves forward, the Project Director David Powell said: "It is so important to us to continue building on our community engagement to make sure all of our local communities and wider stakeholders are at the heart of what we do.By registering your interest, you are taking a positive step in helping us grow the number of people we can reach and involve as we improve the care we provide as we develop the new Velindre Cancer Centre."

The Cancer Centre is particularly interested in engaging with those with seldom heard voices and it will be working closely with third sector organisations to ensure the engagement opportunities offered are accessible and meet everybody’s needs.

Steve Ham, Chief Executive of Velindre University NHS Trust, said: "Velindre prides itself on the community we have built over the years - a unique partnership between patients, families, friends, volunteers, fundraisers and our fantastic staff. Velindre Voices provides an opportunity for a step change in the depth and breadth of our engagement with each other as we improve and strengthen our service for future generations."

To join Velindre Voices, please complete the form here­­.