Author: Erin Smith

Edinburgh Conference on human health

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In June we travelled to Edinburgh to represent the North at Amphora’s ‘Our Air Quality, Our Food, Our Health: Amphora and Human Health’ two-day conference.

Amphora is a 3-year research project about human health, nutrition and air pollution from agriculture.

It’s run by a team of researchers and is funded by the National Institute for Health Research.

Hive Cancer Support is proud to be part of this important piece of research which has important implications.

The conference was a fantastic opportunity to meet with experts in this field.

Maureen Collins, our Project Manager and Jacquie Loughrey, our Education and Prevention Officer also had the chance to share their knowledge and our groundbreaking approach to Cancer prevention with delegates from across Britain.

Being part of projects like this is also an important part of the lobbying and campaign work that is central to Hive Cancer Support.

Breast Cancer UK ‘Breast Cancer Prevention Conference 2023’

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We were in London recently for the Breast Cancer UK ‘Breast Cancer Prevention Conference’.

Day One focussed on the impact of environmental chemicals – something we educate about and lobby on.

And Day Two looked at how lifestyle choices, good diet and nutrition, alcohol reduction and exercise can reduce the risk of a Breast Cancer diagnosis.

It was great to network with other charities working in the same field and hear talks from world-renowned experts.

During our trip we also visited the Women’s Environmental Network’s offices to learn about its work helping women and communities take action for the environment.

Community Foundation for NI conference in Ballymena

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We were in Ballymena recently for the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland Healthy Connections and Conversations event, which was all about the power of the community.

Maureen Collins, our Project Manager, who has been involved in grassroots community work for the past 27 years, was honoured to be chosen to speak on the day.

She was part of a panel on Flexible Funding to Support Community Health and Wellbeing Outcomes.
Jacquie Loughrey our Education and Prevention Officer and Sean Harkin our Family Support Officer also went along.

The team was delighted to reconnect with Health Minister Robin Swann who came to visit us on a recent visit to the city and is really interested in community health initiatives.

We also had a great chat with event host Marie Louise Connolly, & BBC NI Health Correspondent.

LGBTQIA+ health event in Portrush

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Hive Cancer Support is always expanding its reach and we recently travelled to Portrush for the first-ever joint event between UNISON and The Rainbow Project.

This health and information day for the LGTBQIA+ community was part of Pride month.

Martin Mullan, our Male Support Worker and Michelle McLaren our Development Worker were delighted to bring the Hive Cancer Support message to the birth town of legendary gay rights activist Mark Ashton.

The event took place in the beautiful surroundings of the Portrush Town Hall.

It was a great opportunity to share the help and support that we offer and make connections with new groups and people.

The weather was amazing too and Portrush looked fabulous in the sunshine.

Turning Triax Green schools’ project

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Hive Cancer Support was delighted to take part in the annual Turning Triax Green project the Ballymagowan Allotments.

We gave the pupils a bitesize lesson health lessons using a series of interactive games designed by Jacquie Loughrey our Education and Prevention Officer.

Jacquie and Marianne Flood, our Community Education and Marketing Assistant welcomed children from Holy Child PS, Long Tower PS, St Eugene’s PS, Nazareth House PS and Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, who really impressed us with their energy and enthusiasm.

The pupils were really interested in the link between health and the environment and had great fun doing the word searches, matching games and jigsaws.

And they showed off some very impressive knowledge, memory and problem-solving skills.

Hive Cancer Support has its own Education Strategy and links up with schools and youth groups to deliver our Reduce Your Risk workshops.