Support for my children and family
When someone is living with cancer, a life-shortening illness or has experienced a bereavement, it can affect the whole family. This page includes trusted organisations that offer emotional and practical support for children, young people, parents and carers. Whether you’re looking for help talking to children about illness or loss, support for young people to express how they’re feeling, or guidance for families navigating difficult changes, these services can help alongside the support we offer at CancerCare.
How we can help
Counselling
One-to-one sessions with a trained and experienced therapist focuses on helping individuals cope with the emotional, psychological and practical challenges of a cancer diagnosis or a bereavement.
Complementary therapy
We offer a wide range of complementary therapies that are designed to complement clinical treatment. These therapies include massage, reiki, nutritional therapy and much more. They are delivered at our various centres across the patch.
Re-Fresh Peer Support
The Re-Fresh project works with local young people aged five to 17 who are bereaved or have been affected by a cancer diagnosis. These therapeutic peer support groups provide a place for young people to meet others their age experiencing similar things.
How our friends can help
Carer Support
Aim to support, enhance, and advocate for the lives of unpaid carers in the South Lakeland area of Cumbria. They achieve this by providing a range of services, including support groups, education, and practical advice, recognizing that caring for someone can be life-changing and often leads to a restricted life for the carer. They offer a sitting service, support groups, home help, and carer emergency cards.
Location: South Cumbria
Location: South Cumbria
Child Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK offer free, confidential bereavement support for individuals, couples, children, young people, and families, by telephone, video or instant messenger, wherever you live in the UK. They also offer training and resources for employers.
Location: National
Location: National
Cruse Cumbria
Aim to support people affected by death by promoting their well-being and helping them understand and cope with grief. They provide free information, advice, and support to help people navigate their bereavement and develop coping skills. Cruse also provides educational resources about the grieving process.
Location: South Cumbria
Location: South Cumbria
Drop Zone
Aim to raise the aspirations and achievements of young people in Furness by providing safe, supportive environments and diverse programs. This includes offering alternative education, social and emotional support, and opportunities to develop skills through activities, aiming to build a more positive future for them and their community.
Location: Barrow-in-Furness
Location: Barrow-in-Furness
Hope Support Services
Hope is a UK charity founded in 2009, that provides support to young people when a family member is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Supporting young people aged 5-25, from the moment of diagnosis for however long they are needed.
Location: National
Location: National
Lancashire County Council Children and family wellbeing service
Providing early help and support to children, young people, and their families to promote their overall wellbeing. This includes addressing needs related to health, family relationships, and safety, particularly for those who are disadvantaged, vulnerable, or at risk of social exclusion.
Location: Lancashire
Location: Lancashire
Papyrus
PAPYRUS exists to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives, by shattering the stigma surrounding suicide and equipping young people and their communities with the skills to recognise and respond to emotional distress. Training courses available.
Location: National
Location: National
St Mary's Hospice Community Hub
Offering support to individuals living with long-term and life-limiting conditions, their families, carers, and those who are bereaved, by providing a welcoming space focused on maintaining independence, enhancing well-being, and connecting the community.
Location: Barrow-in-Furness and Ulverston
Location: Barrow-in-Furness and Ulverston
The Mix
The Mix offer free, confidential support, expert advice and a welcoming community, all designed with and for young people under 25. Whether you need help with mental health, relationships, work, money or anything else, you’ll find it there — whenever you need it.
Location: National
Location: National
Westmorland & Furness Council Family Information Service
The Westmorland and Furness Family Information Service provides free information, advice and guidance about a wide range of services, activities and entitlements for families with 0 to 19 year olds (or 25 if the young person has a disability or additional need) and the professionals working with them.
Location: South Cumbria
Location: South Cumbria
Winston's Wish
Winston’s Wish is a national charity that is here for children and young people (aged 25 or under) across the UK who are bereaved, or are facing the death of someone important.
Location: National
Location: National