In March this year, coinciding with International Women’s Day, Sheffield Hospitals Charity launched the #NoWomanLeftBehind campaign, tackling women’s health inequalities in Sheffield.
At the beginning of June, as part of this focus, a women’s health event was piloted at Firvale Community Hub.
We want to test, learn and scale a range of highly targeted community events around women’s health. The specific aim of these events is to book women into appointments for their cervical screening. We will also be helping women to understand how to check their breasts, for example through clothed demonstrations.
Our metrics of success will include the number of appointments booked and screenings attended. Importantly, these types of events provide a space to open conversations about women’s health, encouraging self-care and uptake of NHS services. Screening is encouraged in ways that seek to overcome barriers including generational trauma and cultural factors.
[Image: (left to right) Lord Mayor of Sheffield Safiya Saeed, Foundry PCN Health Inequalities Lead Farah Akhtar, Practice Nurse Bex & Director of Grants at Sheffield Hospitals Charity, Shasta.]
Director of Grants at Sheffield Hospitals Charity, Shasta Ashraf, said:
“Sheffield Hospitals Charity is committed to helping address Women’s Health Inequalities. We are focusing on three areas, one of which is ‘early cancer diagnosis’ and our work with The Foundry PCN is in support of this. The Foundry PCN is situated within the north of Sheffield, with a high proportion of its population living in the most socio-economically deprived areas in Sheffield. Cervical cancer screening rates are particularly low, with Page Hall Medical Centre having the lowest uptake (46%) well below the national target of 75%.
We are proud to have funded this event, which was designed to increase awareness in a culturally sensitive manner. It was wonderful to attend an incredibly informative and supportive event, full of easy-to-understand information, delicious food and lots of laughter. On the day, several women signed up for a cervical screening test, which is a huge achievement considering that 489 patients registered at the centre aged 25-49 have never had one before.”
[Image: (left) Beauty therapist Mahreen Sakin]
The event was a welcoming and sensitive space for women to gain crucial knowledge around their own health. A beauty therapist, henna artist and practice nurse were in attendance to offer calming treatments and promote self-care and the importance of health and wellbeing. Attendees were also given goody bags with information around cervical and breast screening, the HPV vaccine, as well as other’s women’s health priorities.
The event opened with a presentation from Dr Mairead Knox, a GP of 20 years, entitled 'Protecting yourself and family from HPV, cervical and other cancers'. The presentation covered facts around HPV and how it is contracted, and the positives around the available vaccination and the reduction of cervical cancers as a result.
“It was never explained to me what happens during a cervical smear, I now understand why this is important” – Women’s Health Event attendee
The event was funded through a ‘Little Wishes’ grant, a Sheffield Hospitals Charity initiative which allows for those without dedicated charitable funds available through their department (within one of the NHS Trusts we support) to apply for projects under £5,000 that will make a real difference.
The event delivery was led by Foundry Primary Care Network Health Inequalities Lead, Farah Akhtar. Farah worked with Page Hall Medical Centre and Foundry Community Hub to organise the event, which helped to reduce stigma around cervical and breast cancer screening, increase awareness, offer support and improve access to services.
Farah Akhtar said:
“The grant enabled us to create an inclusive and informative environment where people felt empowered to learn about cervical screening, ask questions and take proactive steps in their health journey.”
We believe that every woman affected by cervical cancer should have the opportunity for an early diagnosis.
Published: Friday 20th of June 2025