Useful Links
Support for Children and Young People
Macmillan Cancer Support
89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7UQ
0808 808 00 00
www.macmillan.org.uk
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. We provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support and push for better cancer care.
Action for Sick Children
36 Jacksons Edge Road
Disley
Stockport SK12 2JL
0800 0744 519
(Mon-Fri 10am-3pm)
www.actionforsickchildren.org
National healthcare charity which works to support sick children. On the website you can read guides for parents about topics such as preparing your child for hospital and helping them cope with pain.
The Association for Children's Palliative Care (ACT)
Orchard House
Orchard Lane
Bristol
BS1 5DT
0845 108 2201
www.act.org.uk
National charity promoting care and support for all children and young people with life threatening or life limiting conditions and their families.
Childhood Eye Cancer Trust
The Royal London Hospital
Whitechapel Road
London
E1 1BB
020 7377 5578
(Mon-Frid 9am-5pm)
www.chect.org.uk
National charity for children with retinoblastoma and their families.
Childline
45 Folgate Street
London E1 6GL
0800 2222
(7 days a week 24 hours)
Info@childline.org.uk
www.childline.org.uk
Helpline for children and young people in danger or distress.
Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group
(formerly UKCCSG)
University of Leicester
3rd Floor
Hearts of Oak House
9 Princess Road West
Leicester
LE1 6TH
0116 249 4460
www.cclg.org.uk
Co-ordinates research and care for children with cancer and their families.
Christian Lewis Trust Children's Cancer Charity
62 Walter Road
Swansea
Wales
SA1 4PT
Tel 01792 480 500
(Mon- Fri 9am-5pm)
www.christianlewistrust.org.uk
enquiries@christianlewistrust.org
Aims to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and provide emotional and practical support to their families. Support includes a "listening ear" bereavement support and play therapy. Also offers holiday breaks and comprehensive travel insurance cover.
CLIC Sargent
0800 197 0068
(Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
www.clicsargent.org.uk
Provides support to children and young people (under 21) with cancer and their families from the point of diagnosis onwards.
Connexions Direct
0808 001 3219
(Seven days a week 8-2am)
www.connexions-direct.com
This organisation is specifically for young people who are aged 13-19 and gives advice regarding health, housing, relationships and careers.
gaps:line
0845 121 4277
(Seven days a week 8-10pm)
enquiries@gaps.uk.com
www.gaps.uk.com
gaps:line is a telephone support line for parents and carers of children with cancer. It is staffed by a trained team of volunteer parents, all of whom have had a child with cancer. gaps.line is not a medical helpline, but it provides a caring, listening ear and emotional support.
Get Connected
0808 808 4994
(Seven days a week 1-11pm)
www.getconnected.org.uk
help@getconnected.org.uk
Helpline for young people under 25 years old. A signpost service directing callers to relevant sources of help such as hostels, counselling, food etc.
Leukaemia CARE
1 Birch Court
Blackpole East
Worcester
WR3 8SG
0800 169 6680
www.leukaemiacare.org.uk
Support and friendship for those affected by leukaemia or allied blood disorders.
NSPCC
National Child Protection Helpline
0808 800 5000
(Seven days a week 24 hours)
help@nspcc.org.uk
www.nspcc.org.uk
Textphone 0800 056 0566
Offers a free 24 hour service which provides counselling, information and advice to anyone concerned about a child at risk of abuse.
Siblinks
PO Box 2561
Coulsdon
CR5 2YA
01737 55511 or
07713 082797 (evenings)
www.siblinks.org
ben.johnson@siblinks.org
Provides support for young people who have, or have had, a family member affected by cancer, mainly siblings. They can also provide support to young people who know a non-family member affected by cancer. They provide days out and residential weekends.
Skill - National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
Head Office:
Chapter House
18-20 Crucifix Lane
London SE1 3JW
0800 328 5050
(Tues 11:30am-1:30pm, Thurs 1:30-3:30pm)
www.skill.org.uk
skill@skill.org.uk or info@skill.org.uk
Produces information sheets for students who want to pursue further education and can offer support on an individual basis.
Teenage Cancer Trust
3rd Floor
93 Newman Street
London W1T 3EZ
020 76120370
(Mon-Fri 9:30am-5:30pm)
www.teenagecancertrust.org
The Teenage Cancer Trust is committed to changing the NHS system in which young people with cancer are often treated in wards for children or wards for older people. The charity builds cancer units for teenagers and young adults in hospitals and organises support and information services for patients, their families, schools and health professionals. On the website you can find out about the units which currently exist and those in development.
Winston's Wish Family Line
0845 20 30 40 5
www.winstonswish.org.uk
info@winstonswish.org.uk
Guidance, support and information for anyone caring for a grieving child or young person. Also a very comprehensive website for young people.
Camp Winston
Winston's Wish
01242 515157
(general enquiries)
0845 20 30 40 5
(Winston's Wish Family Line)
info@winstonswish.org.uk
Camp Winston offers a residential weekend for 5-18 years old, and is both challenging and great fun. Practical creative activities encourage teamwork, building confidence and self esteem.
Youth Minds - Parents' Information Service
48-50 St John Street
London
EC1M 4DG
020 7336 8445
www.youngminds.org.uk
Helpline provides information and advice to anyone with concerns about the mental health or emotional wellbeing of a child or young person. Offers information about a range of mental health issues and details of local and national advice services.
Youth Cancer Trust
Tracy Ann House
5 Studland Road
Alum Chine
Bournemouth
Dorset
BH4 8HZ
01202 763591
www.yct.org.uk
Provides free holidays for any young person in the UK with cancer, between he ages of 14-25. They can be accompanied by a sibling or friend.
Online Support
Cancer in Young Adults - Through Parents' Eyes
www.cancerinyoungadults-throughparentseyes.org
This website offers help and support to the parents of young adults who have cancer. The website contains personal accounts written by parents who have been through the experience of their child receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Captain Chemo
The Royal Marsden
NHS Foundation Trust
Downs Road
Sutton
Surrey
SM2 5PT
www.royalmarsden.org/captchemo
captainchemo@royalmarsden.org
An interactive website where you can learn all about childhood cancers and treatment. You can play quizzes and an interactive computer game called the Adventures of Captain Chemo.
Children First
www.childrenfirst.nhs.uk
Run by Great Ormond Street Hospital, this website has information about everything to do with health. There are sections for children, teenagers and the family. You can read stories, understand medical jargon, ask questions and play games.
Cruse for Young People aged 12-18
www.rd4u.org.uk
The website is developed by young people and contains personal experiences, a chat room and other activities.
GOSH website
www.gosh.nhs.uk
The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and The Institute of Child Health has produced this website. It is a guide to life and health for families, children and young people and there is a special section for teens.
Group Loop
www.grouploop.org
help@thewellnesscommunity.org
Group Loop is a place where teens with cancer and their parents can find support and education. Teens can decide the level of involvement they want to different features in the site and can connect with others with similar interests, ages and diseases.
Headstrong - The Brain and Spine Foundation
www.headstrongkids.org.uk
A source of information for children with brain tumours.
KidsCope
www.kidscope.org
KidsCope's mission is to help children and families understand the effects of cancer or chemotherapy treatment on a loved one, and to offer suggestions for coping with this. Provides an information service and "non-medical advice".
Kids Konnected
www.kidskonnected.org
info@kidskonnected.org
US website chatroom for kids who have a parent with cancer. Accessible for UK children, it provides support and information service for children and young people.
Jimmyteenstv
www.jimmyteenstv.com
A place for young people to share their experiences of cancer through video and blogs. Over 100 videos produced by teens affected by cancer are already online.
LifeBytes
www.lifebytes.gov.uk
LifeBytes is a website which gives young people aged 11-14 facts about health in a fun and interesting way. It includes sections on health topics and health conditions, and provides an information service and support.
Melissa's Living Legacy Foundation
www.teenslivingwithcancer.org
info@teenslivingwithcancer.org
Provides support for teens, their families and friends. Teens can visit the website for on-line chat and discussion boards, peer support groups. The website also has facts about cancer and a place to read stories about other teens' experiences of living with cancer.
Riprap
www.riprap.org.uk
This is a site especially for 12-16 year olds who have a parent with cancer. In riprap you can learn more about cancer and its treatment and through individual stories you can see how this might affect you and your family.
Supporting Bereaved Young People
www.hospicenet.org/html/child.html
This website has some nice guides and information to support bereaved young people.
Teenage Health Freak
www.teenagehealthfreak.com/homepage/index.asp
Cringe free health information specific to teenagers.
YouthHealtTalk.org
www.youthhealthalk.org
This website has a collection of interviews with young people about their experiences of health or illness and aims to identify the issues, questions and problems that matter to young people.
Teen Info on Cancer
www.click4tick.org
TIC (Teen Info on Cancer) is a community information site for young people affected by cancer. Here you can make friends, blog your journey and share advice about your experiences. The site also has a huge amount of information on cancer, its treatment and how to cope with what's happening, all written specifically for young people.
Young Carers Initiative at the Children's Society
www.youngcarer.com
This initiative provides information for young carers and those who support them across England and the UK.
Young Carers at : The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
0844 800 4361
help@carers.org
www.youngcarers.net
A website for young carers; very young person friendly and interactive. Offers support, information and a place to share your experience.
Youth Access
www.youthaccess.org.uk
admin@youthaccess.org.uk
Can provide the addresses and telephone numbers of local services that provide counselling, advice, information and befriending for children and adolescents.
