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While children may naturally turn to trusted adults for reassurance, the support of peers — and a safe space to explore their feelings — can have a powerful effect on their mental and emotional wellbeing.

That’s why CancerCare offers specialist support tailored to each child or young person’s needs, whether they are facing their own diagnosis, dealing with a loved one’s illness, or coming to terms with a bereavement of someone close to them.

Children’s Counselling and Play-Based Therapy

We provide specialist counselling and therapeutic support for children and young people aged 3–18. Our approach is tailored to each child or young person and may include play, creative activities, and drama-based techniques that help them express themselves in a way that feels safe and natural.

What does children’s therapy involve?

Children and young people are supported to build a safe, trusting relationship with one of our Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS) specialists. Our therapists use a range of creative, age-appropriate approaches to help children express, understand, and explore their feelings.

Some children may choose to communicate through imaginative play, such as role-play, puppetry, or dressing up. Others may prefer creative activities, including drawing, crafting, or working with modelling materials. These approaches give children the freedom to explore their emotions in a way that feels natural and comfortable, recognising that play is a fundamental way for children to understand their world.

Sand tray therapy involves a trained therapist observing and engaging with a child’s symbolic play within a safe and contained environment. Using a range of tactile materials and objects, this process can offer valuable insight into a child’s emotional wellbeing. The therapeutic relationship itself provides a model of safety and care, enabling children to explore their thoughts, fears, and experiences.

Our therapists help children recognise and understand their feelings, supporting them to process what may be happening in their own lives or within their families. All our centres have dedicated, resourced children’s counselling rooms.

Re-Fresh Peer Support Group

Our Re-Fresh Peer Support Group is held in Lancaster, Kendal, Morecambe and Barrow, offering a structured programme of weekly sessions and activities for young people.

These groups provide a safe and welcoming environment where young people affected by cancer or bereavement, either personally or within their family or social network, can meet others with shared experiences, build friendships, and take part in a range of engaging activities.

How therapy and peer support help

Our specialist children’s counsellors provide a gentle, supportive space where children and young people can begin to understand and make sense of their feelings and experiences, particularly during times of illness, loss, or significant change.

Sessions are confidential and allow young people to communicate at their own pace, using approaches suited to their age, needs, and developmental stage.

Peer support through the Re-Fresh groups can also play a valuable role in emotional wellbeing. Facilitated by experienced workers, sessions include activities such as arts and crafts, cooking, and games. They provide a relaxed, non-judgemental setting where young people can connect with others, support one another, and gain new perspectives.

Many young people say that the friendships formed through Re-Fresh offer understanding, reassurance, and a sense of belonging during challenging times.