Regional Overcome Co-ordinators
Become a ROC and make a difference
For many affected by ovarian cancer – and not just those diagnosed by the disease – there are feelings of frustration and powerlessness. During its ten-year history, Ovacome has made significant progress on its founding aims of providing links, support, information and awareness. Ovacome is now the first port of call for hundreds of patients, carers and other family members as well as the medical community, media and organisations seeking support and patient representation. This has been achieved by an enthusiastic and dedicated committee and mostly, by you, our members.
In 2003 we started to evaluate our services. This process has been challenging and has taken much more time than we originally anticipated. It has also been difficult but ultimately rewarding. Two years later, we are now, in a position to re-introduce a significant change to our volunteer base. Our existing Fone Friends network has provided a useful service, bringing those affected by ovarian cancer together to share experiences and provide much needed support. It has been an essential cornerstone of Ovacome’s activity. At times Fone Friends has proved difficult to manage and at a Fone Friends study day the following key issues were highlighted. It was felt that: the role lacked clarity; there was a lack of co-ordination; there were differing views on what the role should be; and it was highlighted that we may be losing valuable volunteers who wished to undertake a wider role. As a result, the idea of ROCs was born.
Who are ROCs?
This scheme has been designed to enable Ovacome to reach more women and all others affected by ovarian cancer and to provide a smoother service. ROCs are volunteers who work in their local area to further Ovacomes’s aims and objectives.
A ROC, would ideally cover their own county. A ROC can be any member who has any experience of ovarian cancer, either personally or as a carer, friend or relative. As a ROC you will receive training and resources to help them as well as the support of the office.
What do ROCs do?
ROCs are local Ovacome representatives. Using information provided, they co-ordinate local activities such as making sure their local hospital is well stocked with Ovacome information, local media activities, Fone Friends and liaise with other agencies such as Gynae oncology nurse specialists. Essentially ROCs support other Ovacome members by being a resource for their local area. ROCs are an incredibly important role to ensure that everyone effected by ovarian cancer gets the best information and support.
The Role of the ROC is to:
- co-ordinate those Ovacome members who wish to speak to others
- attend occasional fund-raising events on behalf of the charity
- co-ordinate local volunteers, enabling them to distribute Ovacome materials to hospitals etc
- organise the occasional get-together for local members if appropriate
What training is provided?
It is important that we ensure the wellbeing of our volunteers and our members. In order to do this we ask that ROCs attend an annual training day. Our first training day will take place as part of Members’ Weekend, on 20th and
The ROCs programme begins at 17.00 on Saturday 20th May, with a get together and short presentation by Louise Bayne on the role of the ROC. This will be an interactive session which will enable us to share ideas and anxieties.
Following this, ROCs are invited to join Ovacome staff for an evening meal in a local restaurant before returning to the The Bonnington overnight.
The training day on Sunday begins at 09.00 with feedback from the previous day, and a discussion on resources and meeting volunteers needs. A ROC toolkit, designed to support your activities will be provided. This session will be followed at 10.00 by Macmillan Cancer Voices training. During this you will learn about many aspects of cancer care which will equip you to be able to undertake your role. You will also learn how you can play an active part in local NHS services, critical to ensuring the ovarian cancer has a voice in your area.
Further Training
Subsequent training days will be arranged in discussion with participants at the 21st May event. Completion of the Cancer Voices training provides certification by Macmillan, which is increasingly valued by many other connected organisations.
How much time will it take up?
Once established, we anticipate that the role will only take an a few hours a month as there are just some basic tasks to undertake. For some that simply won’t be enough and we are happy for each of you to expand the role and do more.. It is totally down to each individual. As a ROC the remit will be wide but flexible in design. There are some essentials for all ROCS but we are happy to alter aspects of the role to suit individual needs.
I'm interested and would like to know more. What do I do?
- Contact the office on 0207 299 6654, and ask for a ROC pack. This contains more detailed information, and an application form.
- Register for our 20th May training day - places are limited and are on a first come first served basis
- If you have expressed an interest in the past please also contact the office for a pack.
