What is Patient VIEW and is it for me?
Patient VIEW
Your experience • Your voice • Your community
Patient VIEW is the lived experience community of Yorkshire Cancer Community.
We bring together people affected by cancer from across Yorkshire to help shape better cancer services, influence research, and improve the experiences of patients, families and carers. Whether you’re living with cancer, beyond treatment, caring for someone, or have been affected by cancer in another way, your experiences matter.
There isn’t just one way to get involved. You can contribute as much or as little you like and every conversation helps make a difference.
What we do
Patient VIEW exists to ensure that people with lived experience are involved in shaping the future of cancer care.
Our members work alongside healthcare professionals, researchers, charities and organisations to:
- Influence the design and improvement of cancer services.
- Help shape research from the very beginning, ensuring projects focus on what matters most to patients.
- Share experiences that inform new ideas, innovation and service development.
- Take part in consultations, workshops, focus groups and co-design projects.
- Champion the voices of people affected by cancer across Yorkshire.
We believe that the best services are designed with people, not just for them.
A more connected Patient VIEW
We’re expanding Patient VIEW to include an interactive, engaging community where members can build relationships, learn from one another and create meaningful change together.
Alongside opportunities to influence services and research, we’re creating more ways for members to connect through regular conversations, events and community activities.
Yorkshire Cancer Community Hubs
We’re launching local Yorkshire Cancer Community Hubs across the region.
These informal gatherings offer a welcoming space to meet others affected by cancer, discover local support, and find out more about how to get involved, all whilst enjoying a cuppa and a chat, at a venue close to you.
Because sometimes the most important conversations happen around a kettle!
Your voice counts
We know that not everyone will have the same experience of cancer and cancer services, and this is why it is vital that every voice is heard.
Through Patient VIEW, you can help shape the future of cancer care, by having input into local health and care services or getting involved in research opportunities.
By embedding patient voices into cancer services and research from the outset, we can help ensure that it leads to meaningful improvements for people affected by cancer.
Why join Patient VIEW?
As a member, you’ll have opportunities to:
- Influence cancer services across Yorkshire.
- Shape research that could improve care for future patients.
- Meet others with shared experiences.
- Join local community hubs and social events.
- Take part in workshops, discussions and co-production projects.
- Learn about new opportunities to get involved.
- Make a real difference while being part of a supportive community.
There’s no expectation to take part in everything—you decide what works for you.
Join us
Patient VIEW is open to anyone who has been affected by cancer, including patients, carers, family members and people living beyond cancer.
Together, we can create better experiences, better research and better cancer care across Yorkshire.
Meet the Project Lead
Jess Hart
Project Lead – Patient VIEW
Jess leads Patient VIEW, working closely with members, researchers, healthcare professionals and partner organisations to ensure that lived experience is at the heart of everything we do.
She is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for people affected by cancer to influence change, build connections, and help shape the future of cancer services and research across Yorkshire.
If you’d like to find out more about Patient VIEW or getting involved, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us on patientview@yorkshirecancercommunity.co.uk
Who are we?
We are a panel that works to represent the patient, carer and service user’s views, putting them at the very heart of decision making. We are a collaboration between Yorkshire Cancer Community and the West Yorkshire & Harrogate Cancer Alliance, who fund the project.
What will you gain?
The opportunity to contribute positive ideas, participate in group discussions, share experiences and carry out tasks which will support a number of key projects relating to cancer care. Any expenses will be reimbursed.
How does this work?
We are flexible, so you can be involved as much or as little as you like. There will be face to face sessions, online discussions, sharing views and ideas by email, telephone calls, one to one or in a group setting. Whatever suits you best.
Upcoming Patient VIEW meetings
See below for our 2026 upcoming meeting dates – all are 11am – 2pm and are hybrid meetings so you can either attend in person at SCOPE Leeds Community Hub, 3 Brewery Wharf, Dock Street, Leeds LS10 1JF or join remotely via teams. For those attending in person, lunch will be provided. Please contact patientview@yorkshirecancercommunity.co.uk to confirm in advance your attendance (including any dietary requirements) or to obtain the teams link if joining remotely.
2026 dates are: –
- Thursday 3 September
- Thursday 22 October
- Thursday 3 December
Here’s some insight into what projects we have been involved with recently
Research Opportunities
People with lived experience of cancer have unique insights that can help shape the future of cancer research, care, and treatment.
Whether you’re sharing your experiences, giving feedback on research ideas, or helping to shape new studies, your voice can make a real difference.
Go to our research opportunities page to find out about current research opportunities and how you can get involved.
Other ways you can get involved
Become a Cancer SMART Champion
Catching cancers at an earlier stage increases treatment options and greatly improves the chances of survival. Could you be a champion helping to spread our important Cancer SMART message, raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and promoting early detection through screening?
Become a digital champion
An important part of our work involves reaching as many people as possible, to help spread our Cancer SMART message far and wide. If you use Facebook or Instagram, then we would love for you to become a digital champion and share the good news messages from our Cancer SMART digital champions page with your online friends.
Raise funds
As a small charity, we know how important it is to make the most out of every penny we receive. By donating or raising funds, no matter how little, you become a vital part of our mission to support people affected by cancer. Please visit our fundraising page to find out more.