'I want to give these communities a voice'

Miranda Thrift has started running women’s cancer awareness sessions for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in Bristol and South Gloucestershire

A health visitor is running awareness sessions to help Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities improve their health.

Miranda Thrift, a Wellbeing Lead and Bank Specialist Health Visitor for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Families at Sirona Care and Health, has started running women’s cancer awareness sessions in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Ms Thrift was part of a Mobile Mass Vaccination team which vaccinated the community during the Covid pandemic, which allowed her to build a rapport and share important health messages with them.

She said: "This has helped me to become an advocate and work in partnership with the communities to give them a voice."

'Taboo subjects'

The wellbeing lead and health visitor said the communities face many barriers which prevent them accessing health appointments.

"This means they have lower life expectancy, and they are more likely to get chronic conditions at an earlier age.

“Barriers include discrimination, fear, a lack of knowledge and digital and literacy difficulties," she said. "Some health conditions, including cancer and mental health, are taboo subjects so health promotion needs to be a sensitive, creative approach."

'Guided by them'

After talking to some of the residents at a local gypsy and traveller site, Ms Thrift decided to run some informal sessions on cancer awareness.

She said: “I asked the women how they wanted it delivered, so I’m just going to be guided by them."

The women have said in the first session they would like to talk about breast awareness and mammograms, with the second session focused on cervical cancer awareness.

'Sensitive manner'

Ms Thrift said she had discussed with a male colleague about how they can talk about cancer screening with men in a "culturally sensitive manner."

"If they would like the support I will be directed by them," she said.

The health visitor has also been liaising with other teams in Sirona to help members of the community with chronic conditions and mental health issues.

She said: "Mental health is a taboo subject within the community, but I think the visit on site will ripple through the community through word of mouth and help to raise awareness of the support that’s out there.”