Skcin - The Karen Clifford Skcin Cancer Charity Latest News

Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre

awards Skcin ‘Charity of the Year’.

Skcin are delighted to announce that Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre for the 2018/2019 academic year have awarded Skcin ‘Charity of the Year’.

Skcin are the UK’s only charity dedicated solely to the prevention and early detection of skin cancer and melanoma. Pioneers in educational intervention programmes in schools, workplaces and across the hair, health and beauty industries, Skcin’s objectives are to raise awareness of skin cancer by promoting prevention and early detection to save lives.

The facts relating to skin cancer cases are incredibly compelling with the disease rising faster then any other cancer. Melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease is now one of the most common cancers in young adults (aged 15-34) and latest statistics reveal 1 in 54 people in the UK will be diagnosed during their lifetime.

Unfortunately skin cancer is caused by the one thing we all enjoy and cannot avoid - yet it’s almost entirely preventable. With around 86% of all cases due to over exposure to UV, education is crucial in driving a cultural shift in attitudes to prevent the disease, mitigate future healthcare costs and ultimately save lives.

To combat the soaring rates, Skcin have developed various educational accreditations schemes working with key risk groups and influential sectors on a national scale.

 Children are particularly at risk due the amount of time they spend outdoors meaning a great deal of their lifetime sun exposure is acquired during their childhood. Burning as a child can cause irreparable damage that can significantly increase their risk of developing the disease in later life. Children who are not protected during school hours, especially during lunch breaks when UV penetration is strongest are at greater risk.

As such, Skcin developed the national Sun Safe Schools Accreditation programme providing comprehensive free resources to help primary and pre-schools fulfil their duty of care to; implement a suitable sun safety policy, communicate with parents and the wider school community to gain support, and educate children on the importance of sun safety, to influence behaviour, for a positive, sun safe, skin cancer free future.

With almost 4,000 primary and pre-schools now registered with the programme, reaching over half a million children and families nationwide, the scheme continues to deliver huge impact across a vital age group. 

In addition, Skcin are investigating ways in which to reinforce key messaging to a notoriously difficult-to-engage age group via secondary education and will be working with Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre & Sixth Form Centre to pilot their secondary schools programme for 11- 16yr olds. Skcin will be working with the school on several exciting and pioneering initiatives to deliver sun safety education, helping equip pupils with the knowledge and skills to influence behaviours and prevent this terrible disease in addition to raising awareness of the early signs and symptoms, teaching them how to take charge of their own skin health and surveillance.

Marie Tudor, National Business Development Manager at Skcin said, “We are honoured that Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre & Sixth Form Centre has chosen Skcin as its charity of the year. We work tirelessly with schools on nationwide basis to deliver our message and fulfil demand. The charity funds all the accreditations which includes extensive free resources that are delivered annually to schools as well as the comprehensive online platform for the schools to access for full support in achieving their accreditation. As the charity relies solely on donations we are extremely grateful to Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre and the support and commitment they have demonstrated to our work.

Principal of Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre & Sixth Form Centre, Mrs Sally Lees, expressed her support for the work of the charity. “Raising awareness of the importance of sun safety for our young people is really important and we are looking forward to working in partnership with Skcin to develop their secondary school programme.”

For more details contact

Marie.tudor@skcin.org