Cancer insights Panel Social

Last month, we hosted our first-ever hybrid social event for members of our Cancer Insights Panels at our head office in Stratford, London. It was organised to recognise our panel members' contributions and provide an opportunity for them to meet and connect with each other and staff in person.

We were delighted to welcome 21 members in-person and 13 attending the event online. The agenda included both interactive elements as well as opportunities for the panel members to hear directly from heads and directors working in different areas of Cancer Research UK. 
 
We kicked off the afternoon with a chance to meet and chat and then a tour of the office.  This was followed by a particular highlight of the day; the Senior Leader Panel Q&A session. Aoife Regan, Ian Walker, Dan Burkwood, and Phil Almond came along to speak about their areas of work, the importance of involvement, and answer a range of questions from both in-person and online attendees. One panel member said that the Q&A was their favourite part because it was interesting to learn about the variety of work and some of the challenges the charity has to overcome.

We felt it was important that panel members had the opportunity to hear directly from teams about projects they’ve shared feedback on in the past. They broke up into small groups to discuss projects they’d been involved in, how their feedback was used, and how the projects progressed long-term.

Our final session was also available by live stream for those wanting to attend remotely. We were pleased to welcome Victoria Thomas, our recently appointed Head of Patient Involvement, who shared a bit about what led her to Cancer Research UK alongside her vision for the future of Patient Involvement at the charity. Andrea Delago Garcia, Patient Advocacy Manager, gave a talk about the recently refreshed Cancer Grand Challenges International Advocacy Panel and its most recent work. 

Most in-person attendees were able to join us for an evening meal which gave a further opportunity to informally socialise. Another panel member said it had made them more motivated. They valued the experience of meeting people also affected by cancer, it felt supportive because everyone talked openly about their experiences in a way they had never experienced before.

We’re delighted to receive the overwhelming level of positive feedback so will be making social meet-ups an annual event.

Jesica Keogh and Talia Macauley Kelly; Patient Involvement Officers

Senior Leader Panel Q&A session - Both in-person and online attendees were able to ask question a range of questions to the panelist.

Break out session - Panel members had the opportunity to hear directly from our teams about the projects they’ve shared feedback on, to hear how the projects have progressed, and how their feedback was used.