Two years of the Big Purple Bus: supporting communities and workforces across South Yorkshire

Ahead of World Cancer Day, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the impact of our Big Purple Bus (BPB).

For more than two years, the BPB initiative has been bringing our advice and support into underserved areas across our region.

The BPB team has connected with over 21,500 people, attended 500+ community events, and established six peer support groups.

As well as spreading important information about the signs and symptoms of cancer, the on-board team help people to access emotional support, financial advice, and complementary therapies.

The vital nature of the service was recently recognised at the Sheffield Business Awards, when the BPB won both the Community Impact Award and the People’s Choice Award.

Building healthier workforces through tailored events

As well as launching 14 regular sites, the BPB team has also delivered 46 educational sessions. They also run bespoke events for corporate partners such as Pricecheck and Henry Boot.

These events enable employees to access information on cancer prevention and early detection – without even having to leave their place of work. Over time, we hope this will have a positive impact on early diagnosis rates and mean that more people in our region survive cancer.

The BPB workplace events can also be a lifeline for employees who are caring for a loved one or family member with cancer.

When someone in your family is going through cancer, it can have a negative impact on household finances. Because of this, carers can be reluctant or unable to take time off work.

Our Big Purple Bus helps carers to get the support that they need, at a time and location that’s convenient to them. The onboard team can answer questions, offer emotional support, and connect carers to complementary therapies - which could help them to manage their stress and anxiety.

Supporting region-wide health initiatives

This innovative approach to workplace health was recently showcased at a roundtable discussion for business leaders, convened by South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard.

At the meeting, our CEO Emma Clarke explained how effective charity-corporate partnerships can bolster local initiatives, such as South Yorkshire & Bassetlaw (SYB) Shows Up and the Mayor’s Health is Wealth strategy.

SYB Shows Up is a social movement which aims to improve cancer outcomes in our region. Its goal is to bring local communities, schools, charities, and organisations together to ‘show up’ against cancer.

The initiative seeks to tackle cancer on all fronts by raising awareness, focusing on prevention, and educating people on how they can get support.

As well as backing SYB Shows Up, Mayor Oliver Coppard recently released his own 10-year health strategy. His ‘Health is Wealth’ report presents a mission-driven plan to ensure everyone in South Yorkshire experiences the best health and wellbeing possible.

The Big Purple Bus is contributing to both of these crucial campaigns by spreading life-saving information and delivering support at a community level.

Emma Clarke, CEO at Weston Park Cancer Charity said:

“We launched our Big Purple Bus initiative to reduce health inequalities and make our services more accessible than ever before.

“We’re proud of the impact we’ve made so far, and grateful to all of the incredible volunteers and donors who have contributed to the project.

“For one in two of us, cancer will change everything. So we must continue to work at pace to ensure that everyone in our region can benefit from our information and services.

“We wholeheartedly support Mayor Oliver Coppard’s ambition for South Yorkshire to be the country’s healthiest region, and look forward to working together to make that a reality.”

Dave Capper, CEO of Westfield Health and Health is Wealth board member said:

“Westfield Health has been part of the BPB project from the outset – having donated £100k to get this essential service up and running.

“It’s been amazing to see all that it has achieved since then. As well as providing equity of care for those in underserved communities, the service is making a real difference to the health and happiness of our workforces.

“As a local employer, I’d encourage businesses to take full advantage of the wealth of information and advice available on the BPB; it could make a life-saving difference to your employees.”

To find out how the Big Purple Bus can support your organisation, contact bigpurplebus@wpcancercharity.org.uk.