Active Voices: Shaping Cancer Support in Lincolnshire

What is the project about? 

We know that living with cancer can affect every part of your life — not just your health, but your confidence, your wellbeing, and your connections with others.  

This project focuses on two key things:  

1. Supporting wellbeing through physical activity 

Through the Fighting Fit programme, people living with cancer will have opportunities to take part in:  

• Gentle, cancer-specific physical activity  

• Group sessions that build confidence and strength  

• Social time to connect with others and reduce isolation  

2. Giving people a voice in shaping services 

Through the Lincolnshire Cancer Co-production Group, people with lived experience will:  

• Share their experiences of cancer services  

• Help improve how support is designed and delivered  

• Influence real changes across the system  

This isn't just about being listened to — it's about working alongside professionals to make decisions together.  

Why this matters

Lincolnshire is a large and diverse county, and we know that not everyone has equal access to the support they need.  

This project aims to:  

• Reach people in rural, coastal and underserved communities  

• Reduce isolation and improve wellbeing  

• Build confidence so people feel able to influence their care  

• Ensure cancer services reflect real experiences and needs  

By combining physical activity with co-production, we're creating multiple ways for people to get involved — whatever feels right for them.
 

Working in partnership

This project is built on strong local collaboration:  

• LVET is coordinating the programme and bringing partners together  

• Lincoln City Foundation is delivering the Fighting Fit sessions  

• Every-One is leading co-production and supporting people to share their experiences  

• The NHS and ICB are working alongside the partnership to ensure learning feeds into real system change  

Most importantly, people with lived experience of cancer are at the heart of everything we do — including how the project is led and governed.  

What difference with this make? 

We expect to see:  

• Improved physical and mental wellbeing  

• Stronger peer support and reduced isolation  

• More people feeling confident to shape their care  

• Services that are more inclusive, accessible and person-centred  

The learning from this project will be shared across Lincolnshire to help improve cancer support now and in the future.   

Looking ahead

Over the next two years, we'll be working with people, communities and organisations across Lincolnshire to strengthen cancer support and make sure it reflects what matters most to those affected by cancer. 

We'll be sharing updates, learning and stories from the project as it develops, and we're excited to see the difference we can make together. 

A final word

This project is about working differently — moving away from designing services for people, and instead creating them with people.  

We're proud to be part of a partnership that recognises that the best solutions come from listening, learning, and working together.