Blind and partially sighted women from across south Essex came together in Southend on 5 March for a dedicated breast screening awareness event, designed to improve accessibility and encourage more people to attend their screening appointments.
The event was hosted by Essex Sight Loss Council (SLC) and funded through a community micro-grant from the NHS in Essex. The grant is part of a wider programme managed by Healthwatch Essex, which supports local organisations to run activities that encourage people to attend breast screening.
The programme was developed in response to lower-than-average breast screening uptake in parts of Essex, particularly among communities who may face additional barriers when accessing healthcare services.
Supporting breast screening for blind and partially sighted women
Sight Loss Councils are regional groups funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust and led by blind and partially sighted volunteers. Using their lived experience, members work with local organisations to help improve accessibility and ensure services meet the needs of people with sight loss.
To deliver the session, Essex Sight Loss Council partnered with local sight loss charity Southend In Sight, which hosted the event at its community centre and invited members of the community it supports to attend.
Around 10 to 15 blind and partially sighted women aged between 48 and 70 attended the session. The event provided an opportunity for people to talk openly about their experiences and the challenges they face when accessing breast screening services.
Understanding the barriers to screening
During the discussion, participants highlighted several barriers that can make breast screening more difficult for blind and partially sighted people. These included challenges with accessible communication formats, awareness among healthcare staff, and the emotional and practical aspects of attending appointments.
Attendees also heard from Angela Fiore, a nurse at Lady McAdden Breast Cancer Trust, who spoke about the importance of breast screening, what happens during a mammogram appointment and how women can check their breasts for possible signs of cancer.
It was really helpful to have a proper explanation without relying on images – something blind people can’t access – and to openly discuss the barriers we all face, especially during hospital appointments. The Accessible Information Standard says our health information, like appointment letters, must be given in a format we can use independently.
Sam Fox, a member of Essex Sight Loss Council
For blind and partially sighted people, overcoming the emotional and physical obstacles to get there is already challenging. Hopefully, our discussions at this event and the information we’ve been given will help more of us feel confident enough to go to our breast screening appointments.”
Partners working together to improve access
Southend In Sight are more than happy to host this event to help improve accessibility for breast screening appointments for blind and partially sighted people, and fully support the mission to increase access to healthcare.
Lucy Martin, Chief Executive of Southend In Sight
It is a privilege to work with our partners from Healthwatch Essex, Southend In Sight and Lady McAdden to host this breast screening awareness event for blind and partially sighted women.
Amy Askew, Engagement Manager at Essex Sight Loss Council
We have had open and honest conversations around the barriers we face as a group, which has been truly inspiring. We hope that by sharing our lived experience we can help improve the screening process and encourage more blind and partially sighted women to attend their all-important appointments.
It is a privilege to work with our partners from Healthwatch Essex, Southend In Sight and Lady McAdden to host this breast screening awareness event for blind and partially sighted women.
We have had open and honest conversations around the barriers we face as a group, which has been truly inspiring. We hope that by sharing our lived experience we can help improve the screening process and encourage more blind and partially sighted women to attend their all-important appointments.
Eamonn Dunne, Policy and Campaigns Manager at Thomas Pocklington Trust
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, and regular screening is one of the best ways to detect it early. Through our ‘Make health accessible’ campaign, we are working with NHS screening providers to remove barriers that may prevent blind and partially sighted women from attending.
This includes inaccessible information, screening locations and gaps in staff awareness. Hearing directly from women with lived experience is essential to making breast screening truly accessible.
Community partnerships helping raise awareness
Healthwatch Essex is proud to distribute the Breast Screening Champions Fund in partnership with NHS Mid and South Essex. This community grants programme supports peer-led engagement to increase uptake of breast screening among people facing barriers across mid and south Essex.
Renee Robey, Engagement Officer at Healthwatch Essex
Trusted community voices are essential to connecting with people in ways that encourage engagement and action. We are pleased to support Essex Sight Loss Council, whose networks and expertise will help engage people living with sensory impairments and raise awareness of the importance of screening.
Women aged 50 to 70 are routinely invited for breast screening every three years through the NHS breast screening programme. Screening can help detect breast cancer early, often before symptoms appear, when treatment is more likely to be successful.