The Mercure Hotel Hull was the venue for Andreea’s Tea Party, a powerful community-led cancer awareness event.
Organised by local community advocate, cancer champion and volunteer campaigns ambassador for Cancer Research UK, Andreea Salvage, Andreea’s Tea Party brought together local leaders, health professionals, researchers and residents, creating a safe and inclusive space for open conversations around cancer, stigma and access to services.
The event was inspired by Andreea’s personal experience with cancer and a growing recognition of the barriers many people particularly within migrant communities face when navigating healthcare systems. The event welcomed a diverse audience representing multiple communities, including British, Romanian, Roma, Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian, Ukrainian, Afghan and Pakistani backgrounds, reflecting Hull’s rich cultural landscape and the need for inclusive approaches to healthcare engagement.
Attendees heard from a range of expert speakers, including Dr Nistor Becia, Dr Jo Cairns, and Emma Lewin, who shared insights on early detection, community outreach and the importance of building trust with underserved groups. Representatives from local health services, Cancer Alliances, Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research, Cancer Champions and third sector organisations like Forum, Hull Sisters and Family Nest were also present, highlighting a collective commitment to improving access and outcomes.
Feedback from attendees described the event as “emotional,” “informative,” and “energising,” with many highlighting the importance of creating spaces where difficult conversations can happen openly and without judgement. Speaking after the event, Andreea said: “This was never just about awareness; it was about creating a space where people feel seen, heard, and understood.
“For many in migrant communities, the challenge is not just the illness itself, but navigating a system that can feel complex and inaccessible. We need to do more to bridge that gap.”
Discussions throughout the event highlighted key issues including language barriers, cultural stigma, late presentation and the lack of peer support networks tailored to specific communities. In response, organisers are now working towards establishing dedicated peer support spaces for migrant communities in Hull, starting with Romanian groups, where individuals can access information, share experiences and receive support in their own language.
The event also saw the support of local leadership, including representatives connected to Hull City Council and national charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support, reinforcing the importance of partnership-working in tackling health inequalities.
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