CARE Lived Experience Collective members: Mal

Hi, my name is Mal

My lived experience of social care has been gained through my own personal experiences concerning my ongoing cancer journey and the various organisations and charities I have been involved with over the years.

I have done various projects and programmes and videos with Tenovus who recently published some of my poems. I am also part of the All-Wales Cancer Community. I am involved with Health Care Research Wales and also Cancer Research UK. I have also worked with Macmillan cancer charity in the past and am involved with Velindre Cancer Centre Arts in Health, as well as Maggie’s cancer charity. I have supported various studies and research projects with Sofia Vougiokalou at Cardiff University.

Why am I a part of the LEC I am here hopefully to make a difference for those who have no voice looking for help and support and care, there is a willingness in all of the group to make change to help researchers to find answers to help those without a voice.

Writing and poetry is my passion. I am also part of the Tenovus choir and I like to fix guitars.               

I have always worked with my hands ever since I left school, mainly because I couldn’t spell until I decided at fifty-four years of age to find out why I couldn’t spell. After three years of study in various colleges I was told I was dyslexic. It didn’t stop me and I gained enough credits to apply to Glamorgan University for full-time three year course after three years I passed my degree I was awarded a 2-1 in creative and professional writing.