Published 14th October 2026
Healthworks Team Wins Northern Cancer Alliance Award for Championing the Patient Voice
Two members of the Healthworks team have been recognised for their outstanding work helping people with learning disabilities have a stronger voice in cancer care.
Kay Southern and Lindsey Fothergill, Learning Disability Cancer Project Workers, won the Championing the Patient Voice Award at the Northern Cancer Alliance Awards 2026.
The award recognises people who make sure patients are involved in shaping cancer services, particularly those facing some of the greatest health inequalities.
Kay and Lindsey use their own lived experiences of learning disability and cancer to help make cancer information and services more accessible.
Their work has included:
- Improving information about urgent cancer referrals.
- Developing accessible resources for the Cancer Patient Experience Survey.
- Helping create the national easy-read Lung Cancer Screening booklet.
- Listening directly to people with learning disabilities affected by cancer, ensuring their experiences help shape services.
Their work demonstrates the importance of not just listening to patients, but involving them in making real improvements to cancer care.
Working Together to Reduce Health Inequalities
The Learning Disability Cancer Project began within the North East and North Cumbria Learning Disability and Autism Network, in partnership with the Northern Cancer Alliance and with support from Inclusion North.
The project is now hosted by Healthworks.
A huge congratulations to Kay and Lindsey on this well-deserved recognition! Their work is helping to make cancer information and services more inclusive, accessible and responsive to people’s needs.
Watch the Awards Highlights
See more from the Northern Cancer Alliance Awards 2026 and celebrate the achievements of everyone recognised.
