Prostate Cymru have been nominated for the 2021 Cardiff Business Awards in the category Third Sector Business of the Year.
The Covid-19 pandemic presented huge challenges to the charity, in terms of its fundraising ability and the way in which it prioritises and delivers its key objectives.
Like many business sectors, charities have faced difficult decisions over the past year, particularly when confronted with the prospect of a dramatically reduced income.
Throughout 2021 the Prostate Cymru team have strived to fulfil the charities key aims of raising awareness about prostate cancer and disease, supporting treatments and improving equipment for prostate disease, and funding research and innovation across Wales to ensure that men suffering with prostate disease have access to the best available treatments from the NHS in Wales.
As these face-to-face opportunities disappeared and it became apparent, they would not be returning for some time, attention turned to how we could continue to meet our constitutional obligation to raise awareness and educate the men in Wales.
At a time when GP surgeries were restricted to telephone or video linked consultations, and with limited physical examinations taking place, it was important that we provided information for those seeking reassurance or advice.
Our lines of communication remained open, including our hotline, manned by our specialist nurse, Gaynor Newton. We also increased the level of awareness messaging through the various social media channels directing those with concerns to our online symptoms checker.
The next step was to re-engage with the business community. We were mindful of the difficulties that many of our corporate partners were facing, but also recognised that health and wellbeing of staff was not something that could be shelved, regardless of those challenges.
This saw us redeveloped and make our awareness sessions available to everyone, introducing our Awareness Toolkit to equip businesses with the appropriate tools to educate staff on the risks of prostate disease whilst people are working remotely. We introduced a webinar partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, which led onto the introduction of our own webinar programme.
Once restrictions started to ease, we were able to reintroduce our in-person awareness sessions hosted by our Awareness Team, and have since delivered over 50 sessions to a range of businesses and clubs, including South Wales Fire Service, The retired Police Force, local motorcycle clubs and many more groups.
Our fundraising events have grown from strength to strength as we continued the virtual Big Walk this year, for the safety of our supporters, making the event accessible to all.
With The Big Walk being led by our first female ambassador and Team Captain Carol Vorderman, we saw our supporters stride to success as they walked 26 miles throughout July and raised a staggering amount of money.
We kick started the launch of our new shop with a collaboration with award winning Welsh soap brand, The Goodwash Company. Through the collaboration The Goodwash Company produced blue shower and shampoo soap bars with our Specialist Nurse hotline card included, and all profits donated to Prostate Cymru.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Our commitment to promoting and influencing effective care and support for people affected by prostate health issues is paramount to what we do. We are delighted with the number of key projects that despite the initial delay progressed this year.
Rezum has been approved by Aneurin Bevan Health Board with the assistance of the £30,000 Prostate Cymru grant.
A collaboration with Velindre Hospital which supports the trial of a spacer gel during radiotherapy to reduce rectal injury was also established. The grant of £25,800 will fund the gel for 30 patients to form the basis of the two-year study.
The Princess of Wales Hospital also benefited from a Prostate Cymru grant of £8,000 to assist with the introduction of the perineal biopsy. The urgency to operate in a safe, low risk environment with minimal patient contact led to the swift introduction of this technique which can be performed under local anaesthetic, therefore also releasing valuable theatre time. This was the first hospital in Wales to offer this procedure.
Speaking about the nomination, Corporate Events and Marketing Manager, Owen Pugsley, said, “We are delighted to receive our nomination from the Cardiff Business Awards, especially considering what we have been through these last two years.”
“It is great to know that even during these tough times our achievements are being recognised and we have pushed through, coming out the other end stronger than before.”
“Being recognised in the Third Sector Business of the Year category goes to show that Prostate Cymru has continued to achieve its goals and help Save the Males in Wales.”
We would like to thank everyone for their support throughout 2021 and Cardiff Business Awards for our nomination.
If you’d be interested in a corporate partnership with Prostate Cymru be sure to contact us by emailing [email protected]