Welcome to the second edition of our Black Health Equity Engagement Update. Since our first blog, we've continued to build meaningful relationships and strengthen community partnerships to engage Black men in conversations about prostate cancer awareness and health equity. We're pleased to share some highlights from the past month.
Black Community Golf Day
Following last year's success, we were proud to host our second Black Community Golf Day at The Addington Golf Club last month.
More than 125 players joined us for the event, alongside former Premier League footballing heroes Les Ferdinand MBE and Chris Hughton. Chris generously shared his personal experience with prostate cancer, helping to raise awareness of a disease that disproportionately affects Black men.
One of the most moving aspects of the day was seeing such a diverse group of Black men come together. It wasn't just about the numbers. It was about the energy, the joy, and the passion. Whether it was people meeting for the first time or old friends reconnecting over a round of golf, there was a real sense of community throughout the day. That feeling cannot be manufactured. It happens when a community comes together with a shared purpose, and it was inspiring to witness.
We're also delighted that the event raised nearly £9,500, helping us continue our work to save men's lives.
Black Health Equity Intern
Over the summer, the Black Health Equity team had the pleasure of welcoming an intern through the The 10,000 Interns Foundation programme.
During her time with us, she contributed to a range of projects focused on impact measurement and evaluation, including developing an evaluation framework for the National Network Community Grant Programme and conducting stakeholder research across the organisation. Alongside her project work, she attended a variety of engagement events, gaining first-hand experience of community outreach and developing a deeper understanding of the different roles and responsibilities across the team.
Reflecting on her experience, she said:
"What stood out to me most was seeing the real impact of the charity's work. Knowing that 1 in 4 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime gave even greater importance to the work being done to improve awareness and engagement within Black communities.
Speaking with people at events and seeing their appreciation for these initiatives was incredibly rewarding. It reinforced just how important it is that the right information reaches the people who need it most."
We would like to thank her for her hard work, enthusiasm, and valuable contributions throughout the summer.
West Brom Foundation Strategy Launch
As the West Midlands remains one of our priority regions, we're continuing to strengthen and diversify our presence across the area through meaningful partnerships and community engagement.
Recently, the team was invited to attend the launch of the West Bromwich Albion Foundation's new strategy. It was inspiring to see first-hand the breadth of community programmes being delivered, from the Cancer Kickers programme to a wide range of initiatives supporting local people across the region.
The event brought together supporters, community leaders, partners, and beneficiaries who are either driving this work forward or directly benefiting from it. The atmosphere reflected a shared commitment to creating healthier, stronger communities.
For us, it showcased what great community engagement can look like and highlighted the important role that trusted local organisations play in addressing health inequalities.
Call to Action: BALANCE Study
The BALANCE Study, launched at the start of September in the UK and is the first international study of its kind focused on understanding the experiences and quality of life of Black and mixed-race men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
By gathering the voices of men from five countries, the study aims to identify the specific support needs of Black men during and after treatment.
The study is led by the European Association of Urology, with Prostate Cancer UK leading the international analysis alongside patient groups, clinicians, researchers, and charities. The ambition is to recruit at least 800 Black or mixed Black men to take part.
How you can help:
Please share this opportunity with your networks, communities, and contacts. Men interested in participating can find out more and complete the survey here: Take part in the BALANCE Study
Until Next Time...
Thank you for reading our second Black Health Equity Engagement update.
We're looking forward to sharing more stories, community highlights, and insights from our work in the months ahead. Keep an eye out for future updates in the Black men’s specific group!
Best wishes, Jay W – Black Health Equity Engagement Officer