Bowel Cancer UK, the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity, has partnered with GoodCourse, the text message micro-learning platform, to develop a text-based support programme for people who have recently been diagnosed with bowel cancer. It’s the first text message support service of its kind, developed specifically to help the nearly 43,000 people who are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year in the UK.

In partnership with GoodCourse, the service was developed in under eight weeks – a testament to the health charitys agile approach to digital service delivery. Throughout the process, the charity worked closely with bowel cancer patients to ensure the service provides effective and helpful support.

Patients who enrol on the course receive a text each day for five days, offering support, advice and engaging videos on topics from coping with a diagnosis and talking to people you’re close to, to relaxation techniques and information about sleep and fatigue. It’s free to sign up and users can do so by simply scanning a QR code on the Bowel Cancer UK website

“As a charity we are committed to being there for bowel cancer patients at every step,” said Catherine Winsor, Director of Services at Bowel Cancer UK. “We know being diagnosed with bowel cancer can be an emotional experience and the programme aims to help reduce anxiety about your diagnosis. We’re excited to partner with GoodCourse and hope the service offers much needed support to those who have recently been diagnosed.”