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| Hello everyone! I hope this finds you well and, as always, taking a moment to look after yourselves as you continue to give so much to others. Each month, this briefing brings together news, opportunities, and resources to help you in your vital work supporting men and their families. You’ll also find this month’s Hot Topics slides. Please share them with your group members to spark discussion, raise awareness, and keep the conversation about prostate cancer active and informed. I wanted to begin this month with an issue that has sparked much debate and concern across our community: the future of prostate cancer screening. Many of you will have seen the recent Times article suggesting that the UK National Screening Committee may not recommend a prostate cancer screening programme later this year. If true, this would be a deeply disappointing decision that risks prolonging the crisis of late diagnosis and avoidable deaths. As our trustee Tony Collier so powerfully wrote, “Every late diagnosis is a tragedy waiting to happen. When prostate cancer is caught too late, options are limited, outcomes are poorer, and families are left devastated.” His words remind us why timely detection matters so deeply to all of us. Tackle continues to call for a phased approach to national screening, starting with those most at risk, Black men over 45, men with a family history, and others in higher-risk groups. We’re proud to be working alongside Prostate Cancer Research on the Proactive for Your Prostate campaign, which urges policymakers to act now. You can help by writing to your MP and encouraging them to attend the Proactive for Your Prostate event in Parliament on 14 October. Sign up to the campaign hereTogether, we can make sure men’s voices are heard and that no one is left behind, whether through late diagnosis or overtreatment. As always, thank you for everything you do , for running your groups, supporting others, sharing information, and raising awareness in your communities. Please do keep sending us your news and photos so we can share your achievements and stories in future briefings. Next month we shall be holding the second workshop delivered in partnership with Prostate Cancer UK. We’re inviting all group leaders and organisers to join us on Monday, 10 November at 6.30 pm.. Details and link for signing up are below. Finally, we have started to look ahead to our 2026 Conference on Tuesday 24th March at Austin Court, Birmingham. As we discussed on Tuesday at the Support Group Leaders meeting , this years theme is One Family, Many Voices. We’re excited to share that the afternoon will feature ‘Family Wisdom Tables’ , small-group discussions inspired by your feedback. Many of you have told us how valuable it is to learn from one another’s experiences, so these sessions will be a chance to share ideas, explore challenges, and exchange practical tips on running your groups. More details, including a short poll to help shape the topics, will follow in next month’s briefing. In the meantime, do let us know there is a topic area you would like to learn more about, or would like to share with other groups. Ideas so far, include , navigating tricky conversations in a supportive group, running sustainable groups and fundraising to engaging with the NHS, running community PSA testing events, or creative ways of reaching people in your community. If you have any updates or queries, you can reach Stuart (Midlands), Adam (North), or Kelly (membership and admin) directly, or drop me a line anytime by clicking the link below. With warmest wishes and heartfelt thanks, SarahContact the Tackle Central Team by clicking hereAn Introduction to Running Inclusive Groups Workshop We’re inviting all group leaders and organisers to join us for the next workshop, co-delivered with Prostate Cancer UK, on Monday, 10 November at 6.30 pm. This second session, “An Introduction to Running Inclusive Groups,” is about making sure that everyone affected by prostate cancer feels welcome, understood and supported, whatever their background or circumstances. Inclusion isn’t just about ethnicity or culture; it’s also about reaching people from lower-income or working-class communities, different parts of the country, and those who may face additional barriers through disability, neurodivergence, gender identity or sexuality. Through real-life examples and practical discussion, this workshop will explore what inclusion really looks like in our groups, from language and accessibility to ensuring every person feels they belong. It’s a friendly, interactive space to learn, share experiences and strengthen your confidence as a group leader or organiser. Please do join us, and together we can make sure our network reflects the diversity of people living with and affected by prostate cancer today.Sign up here for the workshop on November 10thHot TopicsThis month’s Hot Topics celebrate the growing strength of the prostate cancer community, from UK advocates shaping European conversations to new NHS guidelines improving psychosocial care for older people with cancer. It’s great to see our own Tackle members contributing to national and international change. Please share these updates with your group members; they’re not just stories of progress but proof of the difference that lived experience, research, and collaboration can make for everyone affected by prostate cancer. Topics include New NHS Guidelines on Psychosocial Support: The West Midlands Cancer Alliance has released new guidelines to better address the psychosocial needs of older people with cancer. Tackle’s own Aidan Adkins contributed as a reviewer, showing the real impact of patient involvement. Research and Awareness Developments: UCL researchers highlight that millions of men could benefit from faster MRI scans for prostate cancer diagnosis, another reminder of the importance of equitable and timely access to testing and treatment. The Royal Marsden & PureGym Collaboration: The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden have teamed up with PureGym to support men with advanced prostate cancer to stay active,a great example of innovative partnerships helping men live well with and beyond diagnosis.Click here to download Octobers Hot TopicsCelebrating Black History Month 2025 – Standing Firm in Power and Pride This October, as we mark Black History Month 2025, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and leadership of our volunteers and group leaders from Black African and Black Caribbean communities across the Tackle family. In keeping with this year’s theme, Standing Firm in Power and Pride, we recognise those who stand tall every day, offering comfort, encouragement, and hope to others. These remarkable volunteers not only support the men and families who find their way to their groups but also advocate tirelessly for early diagnosis and improved outcomes for Black men, who remain at higher risk of prostate cancer. A huge thank you and shout-out to all of our groups serving Black communities, including Cancer Don’t Let it Win, Cancer Black Care, Errol McKellar Sit and Chat groups, Brother to Brother-Man to Man, and Black Prostate Cancer Network. Your passion and dedication embody the true meaning of power and pride, shaping a stronger, more inclusive movement where every man’s story matters. We are also proud to announce that Tackle has appointed a new part-time Community Support Development Worker, who will be working specifically with Black communities in Birmingham to establish new peer-led support groups. This important step reflects our ongoing commitment to ensure that everyone affected by prostate cancer, whatever their background, has access to the support, information, and community they deserve. Together, we stand firm, in power, in pride, and in purpose, united in our mission to tackle prostate cancer for everyone.Group Spotlight- Chilterns Prostate Cancer Support GroupCommunity partnership in action – Chilterns PCSG Group joins forces with NHS Trust for PSA testing event This weekend, the Chilterns Prostate Cancer Support Group, who celebrated their 20th anniversary this year, will partner with Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust to deliver a free community PSA blood testing event at Wycombe Hospital. The event, taking place on Saturday 11 October, offers men aged 45 and over, particularly those with a family history or of African Caribbean or South Asian heritage, the chance to have their PSA levels checked. The initiative is part of a new collaboration between the Trust and the Chilterns Group, combining more than 20 years of local peer-support experience with NHS clinical expertise. All tests will be processed by the Trust’s Urology Department, with follow-up for anyone with abnormal results. This is an inspiring example of partnership working to improve early detection, raise awareness, and promote proactive conversations about men’s health. It also demonstrates how support groups can work hand-in-hand with NHS partners to make a tangible impact in their communities. I’ll be attending the event tomorrow and will share reflections and learning in next month’s briefing, so watch this space!Fundraising SpotlightTackle recently attended a fundraising day at Porters Park Golf Club in Radlett, Hertfordshire. This event in September 2025 marked the closure of nearly 12 months of fundraising by the club’s current Captain, Alan Ross, who has supported Tackle as his chosen charity following the sad passing of his lifetime friend from Prostate Cancer. Steve Allen and Stuart Wain represented Tackle on the day to express our gratitude for the incredible amount raised. They also personally thanked Alan and club administrator Leeanne Blatch for their amazing and persistent efforts to raise not just the donations but also the local awareness of prostate cancer. We spoke to members attending the event throughout the day. After a buffet lunch and entertainment, and before the auction of collectable art pieces started, both Steve and Stuart took to the microphone to inform the members about the kinds of support and interventions their fundraising for Tackle would achieve. It has been brilliant to work with Alan and his team of supporters over the last year. We thank them for their generous support and hospitality, and leave them in no doubt of the true value their sponsorship will bring to those affected by prostate cancer.Join Our Support Group Leaders MeetingMembers PortalTwo new resources are now available on the Members Portal to help you run your group safely and confidently, whether you meet online or in person. 1. The Online Groups Guide (Sept 2025) offers practical tips on hosting inclusive and secure virtual meetings, safeguarding guidance, and advice on managing members’ data. 2. The Zoom Guide (Sept 2025) provides clear step-by-step instructions and helpful hints for using Zoom, including how to manage settings, protect confidentiality, and turn off the new AI transcription feature. We encourage all Support Group Leaders and Organisers to log into the Tackle Members Portal to read these and explore the many other useful documents designed to support you in running your group.Access the Members PortalUpdate Your Group’s Information |
