Cancer Fund for Children Young Shoulder's Community Specialists Clare Cosgrove, Joseph Dickey, Gareth Beattie and Laura O'Hare with 15 year old Darran Gough from Belfast at the launch of the charity's Young Shoulders Progamme which supports children and young people who have a parent diagnosed with cancer.

A local charity that supports children affected by cancer has launched a new five year enhanced programme to support young people who are struggling with a parental cancer diagnosis.

Cancer Fund for Children, Northern Ireland’s leading children’s cancer charity, officially launched their Young Shoulders Programme supporting children aged 0-24 years old when their parent has been diagnosed with cancer

The charity, who has been awarded £600,000 by The Big Lottery Fund toward the Young Shoulders Programme took the opportunity to present the project plan which took place in their therapeutic short break facility, Daisy Lodge, in Newcastle Co. Down. The event was attended by Health and Social care professionals and colleagues from the university and charity sectors.

The five year programme was developed in response to Cancer Fund for Children’s working knowledge and empirical research findings which found that young people who have a parent diagnosed with cancer are more at risk of developing emotional and behavioural problems. Additionally, Cancer Fund for Children carried out a consultation with young people who powerfully expressed themselves that they needed somewhere supportive to meet their peers, those going through a similar experience. They added that they would also benefit from opportunities to boost their self-esteem.

Through one-to-one, group and residential support, Cancer Fund for Children will help young people affected by their parent’s cancer diagnosis to address issues affecting their lives including separation anxiety, coping with school and family life, the stresses attached to difficult caring roles and their fears for the future.

Thanks to the additional funding received from the Big Lottery Fund, Cancer Fund for Children has employed three new Young Shoulders Community Specialists, in addition to their existing Community Specialist, ensuring that the enhanced service will be available to families’ right across Northern Ireland. They will be able to provide 6,000 hours of one-to-one support to children in their homes, deliver over 500 hours of group work and provide 460 free therapeutic short breaks to families living with cancer.

At the launch Liz Osborne, Cancer Fund for Children’s Director of Services said,

“When a parent is diagnosed with cancer it affects the whole family. For children and young people this can be a very distressing, isolating and confusing time. It can be extremely difficult for young people to cope with the changes at home and this can have a negative impact on their development, their relationships and their school life. No similar programme exists in Northern Ireland offering a holistic programme of community based and residential support to young people whose lives have been impacted by their parent’s cancer diagnosis."

She continued,

“Every young person we support will have a dedicated Cancer Fund for Children Young Shoulders Specialist who in partnership with them will design activities around their needs helping them to cope better. We are very proud that our Young Shoulders Programme has been developed by, with and for young people.”

15 year old Darran Gough from Belfast, who was supported by Cancer Fund for Children, spoke passionately at the launch about how the Young Shoulders Programme helped him after his mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer when he was in P7. He said,

“Cancer is not easy. You think you are tough and can cope with things on your own. When I first went on a residential with Cancer Fund for Children it was magical. There was such an energy. I was in a room with strangers but I could talk to them about things that I hadn’t talked to anyone about because we were going through the same things. We were able to open up and encourage each other. I have made great friends and also got to try so many new things and challenge myself.”

He added,

“Taking part in the Young Shoulders Programme has helped build up my confidence and improve my communications skills. I might be a different person today if it hadn’t been for Cancer Fund for Children. I would say to other young people living with cancer ‘Don’t hold back and don’t bottle up your emotions. You are being a bigger person by opening up to other people.”

For more information about Cancer Fund for Children’s Young Shoulders Programme and the support available visit www.cancerfundforchildren.com or call Cancer Fund for Children’s Services Team on 028 9080 5599.