Current Opportunities

The Greater Manchester Cancer Academy have developed an advanced communication skills training offer with Recourse: AI (is a leading conversational AI learning and assessment platform designed primarily for healthcare professionals).

In view of that, we would like to conduct a piece of research on its impact. We want to find out if individuals are gaining the skills they need through the training so they can communicate better with patients in practice.

If the project is successful there is scope to become more involved as the project develops.

For each workshop date, they are looking for four different patient speakers to share their personal experience with cancer for 15 minutes, including if you knew what to look for before your diagnosis and what first signs and symptoms made you seek help (or delay seeking help). You will be presenting to around 40 students for 10-15 minutes, and then taking part in a smaller group discussions where the students can ask you questions. You will also have the opportunity to provide advice to the future pharmacists.
The workshops are taking place at The University of Manchester (Oxford Road), 10.45am-1.45pm on:

• Thursday 16th October 2025
• Thursday 27th November 2025
• Thursday 19th February 2026
• Thursday 23rd April 2026

Please indicate which date/s you are available for.

4 patient and carer representatives needed for each session

The breast pathway board is a multi-disciplinary team of varied clinical and non-clinical members that focusses on the development and improvement of cancer services within breast cancer across GM. The pathway board works collaboratively, using innovative approaches to improve the breast cancer pathway, and in line with national guidance. Each pathway board has an annual work programme which reports quarterly into Greater Manchester Cancer Board.

The overall purpose of the pathway board representative is to provide a link between the pathway board and the patient carer voice. We aim to have two Patient and Carer Representatives on each Pathway Board.

Please see the role profile for more information: Breast Pathway Board Patient and Carer Representative – Role Profile August 2025

The purpose of this role is to bring lived experience into strategic discussions, ensuring decisions are informed by real-world experiences. Your contribution will help shape more equitable, inclusive and effective cancer services for all. By joining the GM Cancer Alliance Health Inequalities Board as a Patient Representative, you will play a vital role in ensuring decisions meet the needs of all communities.

At present board meetings are held every three months and last 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Please see role profile for more information: Role Profile – HIPB

We would love to include within the event, opportunities to share patient stories to show the impact of genomics on our patients and their cancer treatment. We are also looking for a patient/ carer representative to be involved in the agenda and planning of the event.

Have you been offered genomic testing?

Have you been offered a targeted treatment/ precision medicine?

Have you been offered germline genomic testing to understand your risk of other cancers in the future?

If so, we’d love to hear from you.

Here’s a link to our genomics animations if are not familiar with the role of genomics in cancer care. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8At_JsPt7Yv_mRYwOGQKgnFhtbgllaNu

Please get in touch if you’d be interested in taking part.

The gynaecological pathway board is a multi-disciplinary team of varied clinical and non-clinical members that focusses on the development and improvement of cancer services within gynaecological cancer across GM.

The pathway board representative represents the collective views of patients and carers at the pathway board by identifying appropriate areas for contribution. They do this by attending the small community meetings and working with other representatives to understand what topics/matters can be brought forward, and from their attendance at any external support groups/meetings.

Please see the role profile to download: Gynae Pathway Board Patient and Carer Representative – Role Profile March 2025

A small community can be defined as an ‘expert by experience’ focus group, where members share lived experience of a particular cancer type/pathway, and help us to make improvements.

We are looking to expand our small communities to ensure we hear from a diverse range of patient and carer viewpoints, and are particularly interested in those who have been diagnosed or affected by cancer recently.

For more information on small communities, and experience/skills required, please read our terms of reference and our role profile