Breast cancer diagnosis leads Sam to help others

3 September 2020

While Sam Hughes was receiving treatment for breast cancer, she spent hours trawling through paperwork and websites trying to decipher what help and support was available to her and what the deductions that been taken from her wages each month actually entitled her to.

The West Midlands Police Federation workplace representative recalls thinking, “I wish there was some sort of tick list summing everything up for me.”

In July, our Federation magazine included an article on Sam and the wellbeing initiative she is working on with HR to implement a programme of changes to how the Force helps and supports people on long-term sick. This includes designated points of contact, a buddy system, working practices, making the process easier for officers who are off sick and need the support and to assist them in having a voice.  

She explains: “The feedback I have had from the article really took me by surprise – I really didn’t expect so many people to contact me and ask for advice and support.

“I didn’t know where to turn to when I was diagnosed, so I wanted to be able to offer others support and some practical guidance to help make their journey that little bit easier. The last thing you need when you are having treatment and feeling unwell and sick is to have to trawl paperwork.

“At the point of being diagnosed, you are bombarded with leaflets, books, hospital appointments and people wanting to be there with you. I remember it being a tough time seeing my older children struggling away to make sense of it all. To say I was devastated was an understatement.

“I decided to put pen to paper and write a few tips and hopefully some helpful information to try make others’ journey a little easier. Always remember you are not alone and it’s always good to talk.”

Sam, who is based in the review and allocation team as part of the Public Protection Unit, can be contacted by emailing Samantha.hughes@polfed.org if you would like a copy of the tips she has collated.

More details will appear in our October/November magazine which is due out next month.