20 August 2026
Applications to sign up for Mind Over Cancer’s exclusive group sessions close on Friday 18 September.
A specialist youth mental health charity, Mind Over Cancer is a place where you can continue conversations from your trip with others who ‘get it’.
If some thoughts and feelings arose following your sailing or outdoor adventure this summer you would like to talk about more, these free monthly mental wellbeing sessions are a safe and supportive space for you and others who understand.
Find out more details and sign up on our Mind Over Cancer page before applications close, and read on to hear how Ellen and Lauren both benefitted from taking part.
“I felt apprehensive about the idea of group therapy, but I could not have been more wrong!
“Like on the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust trips, we are all going through a group experience of growing up with cancer. Being able to manage it collectively and hear other people’s shared experiences made me realise I was not alone in my post-cancer journey and that there are other people who just get it.
“Whilst going on the Ellen MacArthur trips are so much fun, and an opportunity to forget about treatment, having the reassurance that I’m not alone in all of the never ending appointments and difficulties that cancer throws at you really has helped me come to grips with my diagnosis.
“Alongside the sessions being a chance to meet other people who are going through something similar, the lovely Susie and Sue who run the sessions are the most welcoming and kind people who really help to create a safe and supportive (and entertaining) environment from everyone!
“I honestly could not recommend Mind Over Cancer more. Whether you’re really struggling with post treatment or just want reassurance that you’re not alone, Mind Over Cancer is such an amazing opportunity to extend the Ellen MacArthur experience of unity and understanding of how to manage cancer as a young person.”
Lauren’s story"At first, I was very reluctant. I'd tried counselling several times before, and unfortunately it had never worked for me. My mum encouraged me to give it one more chance, and I'm so grateful she did.
"Leading up to the first session, I was incredibly nervous and apprehensive about sharing such personal and sensitive experiences. But as soon as I joined the Zoom call, all those worries disappeared. I was welcomed by the wonderful Susie Shaw and Sue Morgan, whose warm, bubbly personalities immediately created a safe and supportive environment where I felt able to talk openly and honestly about my worries and experiences.
"They made sure everyone had the chance to be heard, listened to each other, and supported one another with kindness and understanding. I was also lucky enough to be part of a truly lovely group of young people who all just "got it."
"One of my biggest fears was that once the group sessions ended, that would be it. I worried I'd lose that support. But Susie made sure that wasn't the case. From the very beginning, she explained that if we wanted to, we could access 10 free one-to-one counselling sessions through Mind Over Cancer. After a Zoom meeting with her, she matched me with a wonderful counsellor, and I'm now attending individual sessions that have continued to help me enormously.
"Knowing that this support doesn't just stop has meant so much to me. Even when my counselling sessions eventually come to an end, I know I'll always have Susie and the team at Mind Over Cancer in my corner.”