CVS Cheshire East (CVSCE) is celebrating the remarkable achievements of a regional initiative that is transforming cancer awareness and early diagnosis across Cheshire East. CVSCE has worked in partnership with Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance (CMCA) since 2023 on its award-winning Community Partnerships programme.
CMCA has now produced a report, detailing the impact of more than 48,000 interactions within local communities across Cheshire and Merseyside as well as over 200 organisations and groups receiving funding. This has helped to raise awareness, improve early cancer diagnosis and reduce health inequalities.
The programme has empowered communities across Cheshire East, delivering projects and supporting grassroots organisations to raise awareness of cancer through NHS-approved information.
CVSCE collaborated with CMCA to appoint a Social Action Lead to support local, grassroots community groups to encourage healthy lifestyles, learn more about the signs of symptoms of cancer, and improve uptake of cancer screening programmes.
The Social Action Lead, Lucy Coates, has built strong local connections and plays a pivotal role in coordinating grants and projects, delivering cancer awareness sessions, and building trusted relationships with underserved communities.
Lucy Coates, Sector Development Officer (Projects & Innovation) and Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance Social Action Lead said: “The community projects include cooking, gardening, dancing and walking. All of these activities are bringing people together, to help raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and increase an understanding of how we can lower our risks. We are our own best advocates; if you spot anything unusual for you, question it and be as persistent as your symptoms.”
Lucy Coates with the screening team
The Community Partnerships programme, and the work of the network of nine Social Action Leads across the region, has contributed to a significant improvement in early cancer diagnosis rates in Cheshire and Merseyside. From below average in 2019, early diagnosis rates are now better than the England average.
Some local projects in Cheshire East include:
Her-Place Charitable Trust delivering women’s health pop-ups to raise awareness of breast cancer signs and symptoms, and the importance of self-checking, screening, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The events helped women to overcome anxieties and prioritise their own health.
The funding awarded to The Time Out Group helped to run a programme of educational health-related activities to increase members’ confidence in accessing cancer screening appointments. Families had previously shared how difficult this has been for adults with learning difficulties.
The Community Partnerships model is now nationally recognised as a catalyst for broader health improvements and was awarded the HSJ Award for Community Care Initiative of the Year at the 2024 HSJ Patient Safety Awards. In 2025, it was awarded Best Health Creating Cross-Sector Programme by the Health Creation Alliance.
Kate Little, CVSCE CEO said: “This report detailing the impact of the Community Partnerships programme is very welcome. We are delighted that our partnership with the Cancer Alliance has helped to increase the early diagnosis of cancer.
“The programme’s success demonstrates the power of local voluntary and community organisations, who are able to reach communities that are often underserved by or disconnected from statutory services, and ensure key health messages are delivered in a way that works for those communities.”
Jon Hayes, Managing Director of CMCA, said: “The remarkable success of the Community Partnerships project demonstrates that grassroots, community led engagement is a powerful driver of earlier cancer diagnosis, healthier lifestyles, and reduced inequalities.
“We have collaborated with CVSCE and other partner organisations to improve early cancer diagnosis, which is now bearing fruit and laying the foundation for long term, sustainable health improvements across Cheshire and Merseyside.
“As the project continues, CMCA aims to embed learning, sustain momentum, and expand successful models across our population. The ambition is to create lasting benefits for people and places, ensuring that communities remain at the heart of health improvement.”
Watch a video of the impact of the Community Partnerships programme here: https://youtu.be/pCaC_Mk81Hs
For more information read the report, or email ccf-tr.cmcacommunitypartnerships@nhs.net
About CVS Cheshire East: CVS Cheshire East is an independent charity that supports local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations. We connect groups, provide training, advice, guidance, and encourage partnership working. Acting as a voice for the sector, we empower charities and community groups work effectively together and represent their interests across Cheshire East.
