BU Research Blog

BU Early Stage Researcher Mavis Bengtsson – My secondment at Kraftenshus, Boras Sweden this picture shows Prof Andreas, BU ESR Mavis Bengtsson and Dr Erik at Kraftenshus

As an Early-Stage Researcher (ESR) from INNOVATEDIGNITY Project, based at Bournemouth University, England, I did my secondment while doing my PhD in Kraftenshus in Boras, Sweden and was under the mentorship of Professor Andreas Hellström and Dr Erik Eriksson. They have been instrumental in initiating Kraftenshus through research and evaluation that informed decisions in Kraftenshus. Kraftenshus is based in Boras, and it is the first support centre in Sweden designed by and for people affected by cancer, including patients, family, friends, staff members and local community representatives. The founder of Kraftenshus experienced that after being diagnosed with cancer and getting her chemotherapy, she lacked support in the community, where she experienced loneliness. However, starting this organisation to help other cancer patients improved her well-being. The organisation started in 2017 in Boras, Sweden and has recently expanded to 2 more cities.
The impact of cancer on individuals is profound, and diagnosis means emotional turmoil for most people, as it affects all aspects of health(Mohlin et al. 2020). Cancer patients often desire emotional support after a cancer diagnosis (Ray et al. 2019). These people who want support might not always receive it, even though emotional support can come from a range of people in their social networks (Ray et al. 2019). The complexities of cancer increase once people are back in the community because it affects the whole family. Most patients feel lonely, and Kraftenshus helps patients to meet other patients.
The organisation’s core focus is on emotional and social support for people with cancer. The design of the venue was based on the action research results.
The meeting place is designed as a home to give people a homely feeling when they discuss their issues. The organisation and activities are a patient-led and voluntary organisation. They received funding from the government in 2017. Kraften hus use a participation and co-creation model and a service design approach. They have considered a sustainable business model to establish how the project would survive over the years. One of the areas was creating a shared vision with the politicians and other stakeholders. With resources from the Universities, they have evaluated the organisation.
Members volunteer and lead activities or teachings. They collaborate with various stakeholders, do knitting, have creative painting rooms, do walks, have a gym membership, and get referrals from the hospital. Kraftenshus has a long collaboration with the Regional Cancer Centre, which drives the implementation of a cancer strategy launched in 2010 due to increased cancer cases and challenges of the healthcare system in Sweden. Kraftenhus worked closely with Regional Cancer Centre to design an integrated and patient-oriented cancer care model in the community.
One of the areas that we explored with Prof Andreas Hellström and Dr Erik Eriksson was to do research at Kraftenshus together.
https://cancercentrum.se/vast/patient-och-narstaende/kraftens-hus/
Kraftenshus is a great community organisation contributing to cancer patients’ emotional healing and with the motto: “No one should be alone with cancer.”