Warwickshire care worker aids national campaign
A Warwickshire health worker is helping a national campaign to beat prostate cancer.
Martin Povey is a Community Learning Disability Nurse in North Warwickshire, based in Bedworth town centre.
As part of his role, and with colleagues Anita Murphy, Becky Turner and Roxanne McKay from his team, he set up a men’s group looking at relationships and personal safety for men with learning disabilities.
When he heard about work on prostate cancer by national charity Prostate Cancer UK, he was keen to make sure his clients got the most out of it.
The result is an Easy Read leaflet specially written and designed with people with a learning disability in mind.
Martin said: “We wanted to develop some information for the group covering testicular and prostate cancer, as we know that it has a major impact on men’s health. We found out that Prostate UK were developing some information, and ended up working with them on it.
“Our group tested the information and gave feedback about the best ways of explaining this. I took the draft leaflet out on visits to see patients, and asked other members of the team to do the same.
“Everyone should be able to access and understand information that affects their everyday lives, and people with a learning disability are no exception.
“I was very glad to play a small part in the creation of this excellent national health information booklet, which I believe will be very useful in raising awareness for all men and not just those with learning disabilities.”