Living Beyond Cancer: A Community-Led Intervention for African-Caribbean Cancer Survivors in Manchester

Purpose: Disparities in cancer outcomes are often due to cultural barriers, limited support reflective of individual needs, and lower trust in mainstream services. This paper examines a culturally tailored nutrition and cooking project designed to address inequities in post-treatment cancer survivorship among African-Caribbean communities by strengthening nutrition confidence, wellbeing, and social connection. Method: Seventeen participants took part in the project over a period of six-month. A mixed-method evaluation was employed, using pre- and post-project questionnaires (5-point likert scales) across five outcome domains: nutrition knowledge, cooking skills, social connection, access to nutritious food, and overall well-being. Quantitative data were analysed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test with rank biserial correlations to assess effect sizes. Qualitative feedback was gathered through open-ended survey responses and session reflections. Results: Significant improvements were observed in four of the five domains: nutrition knowledge (W = 0.00, p = 0.002, r = -1.00), cooking skills (W = 3.00, p = 0.021, r = -0.87), well-being (W = 11.00, p = 0.021, r = -0.72), and social connection (W = 2.00, p = 0.015, r = -0.91). No significant change was observed in access to nutritious food (W = 36.50, p = 0.358). Qualitative data highlighted increased confidence in adapting traditional dishes to healthier versions, enhanced peer support, and reduced feelings of isolation. Conclusions: The Cook and Thrive model demonstrates how culturally tailored health interventions can meaningfully improve nutrition confidence, psychosocial well-being, and social connectedness among African and Caribbean cancer survivors. Implications for Cancer Survivors The findings highlight that living well beyond cancer requires more than medical follow-up; it requires support that acknowledges cultural identity, emotional wellbeing, and the practical realities of everyday life. Such approaches can reduce psychological distress, strengthen self-management, and address persistent inequalities in post-treatment support for minority communities.