In partnership with specialist youth mental health charity, Mind Over Cancer, young people who need further support can join our free monthly mental wellbeing programme that runs from October to May.
Had a great time on your trips? Met new friends, hooked back up with old ones? We know, whilst being heaps of fun, your trip will also have brought back some memories about your time dealing with cancer, and that can be hard.
I cannot begin to articulate everything you and this group has done for me. You have created the safest, most nurturing space for us and I am forever grateful.
The free online groups are a space you can remember the good times with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and talk with people who understand some of the issues it may have raised. Maybe you just want to chat to new friends who 'get it'.
There are two groups each for 14-16 year-olds and 17+ year olds, with up to 10 young people in each group (20 places per age-group in total).
The sessions are open to anyone who comes on a first-time or return trip in 2024. By applying, you are committing to take part in the eight monthly sessions from October to May.
Closing date for applications: Friday 20 September 2024
| MONTH | TOPIC | 14-16 YEARS (Mondays) | 17+ YEARS (Thursdays) |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | Welcome! Who's who and trip chat | Group 1 - 21 Oct Group 2 - 14 Oct | Group 1 - 10 Oct Group 2 - 17 Oct |
| November | Talking about cancer in different situations | Group 1 - 4 Nov Group 2 - 11 Nov | Group 1 - 7 Nov Group 2 - 14 Nov |
| December | End of year - how was it for you? | Group 1 - 2 Dec Group 2 - 9 Dec | Group 1 - 5 Dec Group 2 - 12 Dec |
| January | Stress & anxiety - what it is and how to manage it | Group 1 - 6 Jan Group 2 - 13 Jan | Group 1 - 9 Jan Group 2 - 16 Jan |
| February | Post-treatment - over to you, what you want to chat about | Group 1 - 3 Feb Group 2 - 10 Feb | Group 1 - 6 Feb Group 2 - 13 Feb |
| March | Supporting people around you during and after treatment | Group 1 - 3 March Group 2 - 10 March | Group 1 - 6 March Group 2 - 13 March |
| April | The ‘you’ after and during cancer | Group 1 - 7 April Group 2 - 14 April | Group 1 - 10 April Group 2 - 17 April |
| May | Time to reflect and look ahead | Group 1 - 5 May Group 2 - 12 May | Group 1 - 8 May Group 2 - 15 May |
All 14-16 years sessions are 6.30pm - 7.50pm and 17+ sessions 7pm - 8.20pm.
Topics have been led by what young people wanted to talk about in 2023/24's pilot sessions, but there is always the flexibility to chat about what matters most to you.
Our support groups are full of care, kindness, joyfulness and friendship. It's a place to learn, process and reflect and to look after your wellbeing.
Meet Susie (left), Sue (centre) from the amazing Mind Over Cancer team, who will be running the programme sessions.
Susie has over 25 years’ experience delivering mental health support to young people living through and beyond cancer and is also currently working with the Trust to train our team and volunteers in mental health first aid. She is awesome!
Sue Morgan MBE is a legend in the children and young people’s cancer world and a Mind Over Cancer Trustee.
A Nurse Consultant at Leeds Teaching Hospitals for over 30 years, she believes the services Mind Over Cancer offer helps give young people and their families the tools to cope with the challenges a cancer diagnosis brings, both during and after treatment.
