About the Know Your Body Resources
Christine Harvey, Lead Director of Ansar Projects started conversations with CoppaFeel! and Orchid following a search for accessible health resources for breast and testicular cancer.
Ansar Projects, part of the Thera Group, supports people with a learning disability in Bury. Ansar Projects is experienced in supporting young people who are coming out of education and beginning their journey into adulthood. They promote this through Community Support teams or individualised short breaks.
The idea behind them was to support and develop conversations that would help people feel comfortable getting to know their bodies. By supporting people with a learning disability to know their own bodies better, the resources will help early detection of any change.
CoppaFeel! is the UK’s first and only breast cancer charity for young people. CoppaFeel! are on a mission to ensure that all breast cancers are diagnosed as early as possible. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and yet a quarter of young people aren’t aware they could be affected. The charity aims to educate, encourage and empower young people to get to know their bodies and check regularly. They are having a fantastic impact, from delivering nearly 400 school talks, to sending over one million free text reminders every year.
Orchid is the UK’s leading charity working on behalf of anyone affected by or interested in male cancer. This includes prostate, testicular and penile cancer. The charity was established in 1996 by testicular cancer patient Colin Osborne MBE and Professor Tim Oliver, the oncologist who saved his life. Orchid exists to save men’s lives from male cancer through a range of support services, education and awareness campaigns and a pioneering research programme.
After initial discussions, the Know Your Body resources were beginning to form. The creation process included focus groups and close work between all three organisations to ensure the information was presented in an accurate, accessible and inclusive way.
Our hope is that these tools will be used in a variety of settings and be an aid to anyone with a learning disability, their families or support staff in raising awareness of the importance of checking yourself regularly and to empower people in getting to know their bodies.
Click one of the buttons below to view the resources and start getting to know your body!