On 22/11/2025, New Jerusalem Gospel Church (https://njgchurch.uk/) held a one-day workshop to raise awareness about Cancer Among Black African Women and Minority Ethnic Groups. New Jerusalem Gospel Church owes gratitude to Sheffield City Council (Park and Arbourthorne Ward) for providing financial support and African Caribbean Cancer Support (ACCS: https://accancersupport.org.uk/) for playing the facilitation role and brining in expertise and lived experiences.
On Cancer awareness, the workshop stressed on understanding its types, symptoms, the importance of early diagnosis, and the influence of cultures and faith. The discussion covered also how to access support within Sheffield. The workshop took place at the following address: 550 East Bank Road, Sheffield, S22AL, from 2-5.30 pm. 35 women from the church and surrounding communities fully attended the workshop, while 5 men participated intermittently.
Workshop rationale
New Jerusalem Gospel Church is a charity and Christian church based in Sheffield. The charity was formally registered in May 2023 (reg no: 1203332). . The church has around 217 members including children and the majority settled in the UK from the African Great Lakes region, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi.
The charity main mission is to proclaim the gospel, and it aims to spiritually and socially support members and communities to overcome challenges and barriers they inherited due to their backgrounds. As part of its objectives, the church runs sessions to learn about members’ experiences and understand their needs. Members’ background is rich of different experiences that explain why women raised this need of organising a debate around cancer.
The one-day workshop intended to involve and give space to women, members of the church and other participants from communities around. The Women’s Cancer Awareness Workshop aimed at improving understanding, its early diagnosis, and open dialogue among participants about cancer among Black-African women and women from other minority ethnic groups. Recent research shows that Black-African women and women from minority ethnic groups in the UK are diagnosed with cancers at a late stage compared to others. Research indicates that culture and lack of information are among challenges that make black and Caribbean women in the UK to face such disparities
In their introductory remarks, Rev. Justin Ruvimba, NJGC’s Senior Pastor and Aperi Nyamahoro, the Chairperson of NJGC Women’s Department thanked everyone who attended the workshop. Based on worldwide statistics, Rev’d Justin Ruvimba underscored how Cancer kills millions across the globe and in the United Kingdom. Both speakers highlighted the need to enhance knowledge about Cancer as its early diagnosis can facilitate treatment. Rev. Justin acknowledged the financial support provided by Sheffield City Council as well the presence and role played by ACCS presenters facilitators.
Conclusion
As a takeaway, participants understood that early diagnosis saves lives. They acknowledged that cancer does not mean death sentence. They grasped that the body speaks and one should listen to it. It is important to familiarise with our bodies as it helps to ascertain when something changes. Bible encourages us use our knowledge and wisdom to tackle challenges we face. Therefore, faith and medicine can work hand in hand. Participants agreed that myths and taboos are dangerous when it comes to preventing cancer.
Participants committed to share information with friends and families to break the silence around cancer. They were encouraged to challenge cultural taboos that hinder early diagnosis. The New Jerusalem Gospel Church reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing community health education and mostly Black-African and minority ethnic women. The church will continue to seek partnership to raise awareness about cancer.
NJGC team
The details of the workshop are published by the Sheffield Star. See the article here: https://www.thestar.co.uk/arts-and-culture/new-jerusalem-gospel-church-cancer-awareness-workshop-5416279
And at African Caribbean Cancer Support (ACCS) website. ACCS supported the Cancer Awareness Workshop with facilitators. See the blog post: https://accancersupport.org.uk/blog-and-news/f/conversations-that-matter-cancer-awareness-in-faith-spaces
