Menu
CAHN
In 2019 CAHN worked with NHS Blood and Transplant to raise awareness of Blood and Organ Donation and this has included increasing awareness of the changes in the law. Building on from Precious Life Savers (PLS) project which we delivered between December 2018 to July 2019, CAHN recently delivered on this community engagement project aimed at increasing awareness and participation in blood and organ donation among the Caribbean and African communities in Greater Manchester.
The core of the project was on health promotion and awareness activities to address the significant health disparities and deficit in understanding blood and organ donation practices within the Black Caribbean and African community. Community. Furthermore, it had a particular emphasis on reaching members of the community French and Portuguese-speaking backgrounds who do not have English as a first language.
The project harnessed various methods, including webinars, focus groups, and radio collaborations, to effectively reach and engage its diverse audience. It focused on addressing the crucial need for a diverse donor pool and aimed to educate about the changes in donation laws. The project’s significance lies not only in its immediate goals but also in its potential to set a precedent for future health campaigns targeting specific community needs and utilising culturally sensitive communication strategies.
PROJECT AIM
The overarching aim of this project was to work with the Caribbean & African community and Black-led organisations in Greater Manchester to increase recruitment of French and Portuguese speaking migrants to the organ register and to encourage Blood donation.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
In delivering the aim, the project set out to achieve the following objectives:
APPROACH TO DELIVERY AND ACTIVITIES
Webinars:
CAHN hosted four engaging webinar series with the primary objective of shedding light on the importance of blood and organ donation within our community. We effectively utilised our existing structures, events, and platforms such as the Caribbean and African Targeted Health Improvement Programme (CATHIP) and Healthy Hearts, transforming CAHN’s virtual stage into a hub for enlightenment and empowerment. These sessions were delivered by clinicians and professors with expertise in haematological conditions, blood and organ donation.
These webinars were far from ordinary presentations; they served as platforms fo in-depth exploration, delving into the intricate details of organ donation laws, the associated health benefits, and the complex processes involved.
Drawing strength from our deep community engagement roots, CAHN nurtured a deeper understanding of these life-saving practices. These meticulously curated webinars, hosted with utmost care, shone as beacons of awareness, nurturing a community united by compassion and knowledge. Details of the webinar are presented below.
Focus Groups Discussions:
CAHN successfully had FGD sessions on blood and organ donation across in French and Portuguese communities. Among the key themes and challenges include knowledge gaps about donation processes, limited health checks and misinformation, cultural and religious misconceptions, mistrust in the healthcare system, and barriers in access to healthcare services.
Recommendations from the FGD included improving donation uptake emphasising community outreach in local languages, collaborating with community and religious leaders, integrating donation education into school curriculums, and using media for targeted campaigns. The importance of culturally sensitive approaches, continuous education, community engagement, and recognising different age group perspectives was also highlighted.
The FGDs suggest that addressing these challenges through community-specific strategies and education is particularly important for promoting blood and organ donation awareness and participation.
A detailed report of the FGD sessions is attached to the appendix section.
Community | Date | No of attendees | Medium |
Portuguese | November | 10 | Physical |
French | December | 11 | Virtual |
Radio Campaign:
Partnering with local radio stations enhanced our outreach, particularly effective in communities with lower digital engagement.
We had a 34 second radio jingle played across various radio stations. The key message was:
Are you the Giving Type?
Did you know that by donating blood, you can be a lifeline for those fighting sickle cell disease? It’s quick with just one session you can save up to three lives!
Join the Caribbean and African Health Network in making a real difference!
Donate blood and bring hope to those in need within our community.
Call 07710 022382 or visit www.cahn.org.uk/blooddonor
Audio of Jingle: DRAFT-Blood Donation Jingle.mp3
Timeframe: 2 months1 week per radio station
Radio Station | No of plays per day |
North Manchester | 24 plays per day |
Africana | 10 plays per day |
Moods Radio | 24 plays per day |
Legacy | 24 plays per day |
Social Media Campaigns:
We leveraged to reach a broader audience, these campaigns were extremely useful in spreading awareness and encouraging community discussions on donation. We promoted the CAHN personalised link on our Newsletters, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
CAHN FLAGSHIP EVENTS.
our flagship events have become powerful platforms for promoting crucial messages related to blood and organ donation. Through large-scale gatherings and significant occasions such as the Windrush event, International Women’s Day event, and Gala Night, we have harnessed the opportunity to reach a wide and diverse audience.
At these events, we have taken steps to raise awareness about the importance of blood and organ donation. To achieve this, we have distributed informative flyers that conveyed impactful messages on the significance of contributing to these life-saving causes.
RELIGIOUS EVENTS
CAHN leveraged on strong partnerships with churches and mosques, particularly within African and Caribbean communities, as part of our efforts to promote the message of blood and organ donation. We actively engaged with specific churches and mosques, working closely with their leadership and congregations to raise awareness about the importance of becoming blood and organ donors. These collaborations serve as essential channels for disseminating information and encouraging individuals within these communities to consider donating blood and organs.
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED
LEARNING:
IMPACT
The project made significant strides in addressing blood and organ donation awareness. The project employed a blend of strategies like webinars, focus groups, radio collaborations, and social media outreach to effectively engage diverse communities in Greater Manchester. Key achievements include heightened awareness and understanding of donation processes, and a notable increase in organ register sign-ups.
The project navigated challenges such as IT barriers and cultural sensitivities, offering crucial insights for future health initiatives. This comprehensive approach not only fostered community dialogues but also contributed to reducing health disparities, setting a model for future campaigns.
Sustainability Plan includes:
Recommendations for Future Initiatives:
CONCLUSION
The NHSBT 2023 project, in partnership with the Caribbean and African Health Network, significantly advanced awareness and participation in blood and organ donation among Caribbean and African communities.
Through innovative methods like webinars, focus groups, and media collaborations, the project not only educated but also engaged these communities in critical health conversations. This initiative not only bridged gaps in knowledge and understanding but also fostered a sense of communal responsibility towards donation, contributing to public health improvement and equity. The project’s success sets a strong foundation for future endeavours in health education and community engagement.
APPENDIX
FGD Report in both French and Portuguese languages
