Consumer Orientation Resources

Engaging and supporting the participation of people affected by cancer in our program development and priority-setting processes is pivotal to achieving Cancer Australia’s aims.

Cancer Australia has selected 45 consumers to participate in our national advisory and reference groups , to provide advice about consumer experiences and ensure consumers’ interests are always considered.

We are developing resources and information to assist consumers involved in our groups and those who are working to support others, including:

• Consumer orientation, information and support package
• Resources to build capacity of consumers supporting consumers
• Resources for support groups

This work is overseen by a project steering committee including nominees from our National Consumer Advisory Group, Cancer Voices Australia, The Cancer Council Australia and the state and territory Cancer Council representatives.

• Consumer orientation, information and support
• Building capacity – consumers supporting consumers
• Resources for support groups

Consumer orientation, information and support

To effectively represent the interests of all consumers across Australia, consumers working with Cancer Australia need to be informed, supported and well prepared.

We have awarded a contract to the Health Issues Centre in Victoria to develop an orientation, information and support package to inform and support consumers involved in our advisory and reference groups.

Our aim is to help consumers participating in Cancer Australia’s national advisory and reference groups to:

• develop a good understanding of cancer control initiatives within the health and social systems;
• develop a sound knowledge of Cancer Australia including goals, objectives and future planning;
• represent the needs of people affected by cancer at a national level;
• be able to convey to the community key elements of Cancer Australia’s roles and responsibilities;
• develop skills and understanding in key stakeholder relationships with diverse groups affected by cancer;
• actively contribute, as consumers of cancer services, to Cancer Australia’s programs and planning; and
• support consumers to be able to support each other more effectively.

Building capacity – consumers supporting consumers

This project will also result in a package of resources to support ongoing mentoring and development of consumers who participate as members of committees and groups. A ‘facilitator and mentoring’ package will assist consumers to support each other in representing the view of consumers.

This resource will include:

• principles for adult learning;
• workshop methods to guide optimal learning of consumers;
• templates for evaluating effectiveness of workshops;
• frameworks for one and two day workshops;
• information on mentoring other consumers;
• peer support;
• leadership skills; and
• self-care for consumers.

Resources for support groups

Another component of this project is development of resources for cancer support groups, including principles to guide the establishment of quality cancer support groups or networks.