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What is Journey To Work?
Journey To Work is your FREE online learning programme.
The 8 courses below will boost your skills and career confidence. Get a certificate for your CV when you complete each course!

How to enrol

First you need to sign in as a Young Professional.

Not signed up yet? Go here to join. It's free. Then you can get started on a course.

What will you get?

What makes you YOU? What do you WANT and NEED in life? And how do you get it? These free online courses will help you explore your strengths, your needs, and what you want to do in the future. You will feel much more confident about ways to get to where you want to be.

Which course should you start with?

Start with ALL ABOUT YOU. After that, dip into whatever course you're interested in. Complete them at your own pace. it's up to you. You're just a click away from exploring your next steps to a future that feels right for you.

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Journey To Work - Free Online Course - Youth Employment UK

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Students can build skills and careers confidence with the free online Journey To Work course from Youth Employment UK.

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Advice, tips and tools to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing.

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Meet people like you! Youth Cancer Trust provides support and free activity holidays for young people (aged 14 to 30) diagnosed and living with cancer or any malignant disease, from anywhere in the UK and the Irish Republic, or who are patients of any UK hospital.

Holidays are also available for young people who have been in remission for up to five years or who are living with the late effects of having had cancer as a teenager or young adult. If you have any queries about our services, please telephone 01202 763591.

Groups of 8 are made up of similar ages and groups can also be made up of friends you made in hospital. We are open all year round and are based at Tracy Ann House in Bournemouth, Dorset.

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Meet people like you! Youth Cancer Trust provides support and free activity holidays for young people (aged 14 to 30) diagnosed and living with cancer or any malignant disease, from anywhere in the UK and the Irish Republic, or who are patients of any UK hospital.

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Powys - Bracken Trust

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The Bracken Trust | Supporting People Affected By Cancer in Powys

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Our Services | Sandville Self Help Foundation

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Designed by SR Creative for Sandville Self Help Centre - All content belongs to Sandville Self Help Centre 2024 ©

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Post-treatment workshops for TYA patients (Cardiff)

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Post-treatment workshops for TYA patients (Cardiff)

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Our Services | Sandville Self Help Foundation

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Designed by SR Creative for Sandville Self Help Centre - All content belongs to Sandville Self Help Centre 2024 ©

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Meet people like you! Youth Cancer Trust provides support and free activity holidays for young people (aged 14 to 30) diagnosed and living with cancer or any malignant disease, from anywhere in the UK and the Irish Republic, or who are patients of any UK hospital.

Holidays are also available for young people who have been in remission for up to five years or who are living with the late effects of having had cancer as a teenager or young adult. If you have any queries about our services, please telephone 01202 763591.

Groups of 8 are made up of similar ages and groups can also be made up of friends you made in hospital. We are open all year round and are based at Tracy Ann House in Bournemouth, Dorset.

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Meet people like you! Youth Cancer Trust provides support and free activity holidays for young people (aged 14 to 30) diagnosed and living with cancer or any malignant disease, from anywhere in the UK and the Irish Republic, or who are patients of any UK hospital.

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What's on this page?

Guidance for students with disabilities

If you have a disability, our guide will help you make sure you have all the support you need for your course.

Don't forget to tell the university or college about any impairment or condition on your UCAS application - this helps them to put the support in place ready for your arrival. This information is not used to make a decision on your application and it is only shared with those involved in supporting you, or making the arrangements for your support.

Do your research

Never be put off by any assumptions about your impairment as most courses (and professions) can be made accessible with the appropriate support - the Equality Act 2010 gives employers a duty to make 'reasonable adjustments' to make sure disabled people aren't at a disadvantage. Read more about what the Equality Act 2010 means for disabled students on the Disability Rights UK website.

There are some important differences in the support you get at school or college, and what you might be able to expect in higher education. The National Association of Disability Practitioners (NADP) has created a guide to help you understand more about the differences in the language and terminology used, and the support you may be able to receive.

Guidance for students with disabilities BSL video

If you have a disability, this signed video guide will help you make sure you have all the support you need for your course.

The university website

In most instances, the provider's website will be your starting point. Here, you will be able to easily find information and advice for disabled students, and those with mental health conditions, long-term illnesses, and learning differences (including neurodiversity). This may include information about learning and assessment methods, support provided, and the contact details of the disability, mental health, and/or wellbeing support teams.

If you are cannot find the information you need, contact student support services at the university, who will be able to help.

Advice from disability officers

Find out what disability officers at universities say about the support available, and why it's good to tell the universities you're applying to about any disabilities.

Talk to course providers

To help you reach your full potential, most universities and colleges have disability support teams and mental health and wellbeing advisers. They are always happy to speak to applicants about support and answer any questions you may have - even if you choose not to apply there. This could include advice about funding (including the Disabled Students' Allowance), and about academic and lifestyle support and facilities at that university. You will find the contact details of the student support teams on the university website.

If you're not sure what to ask when speaking to the support team, we've put together a detailed checklist to help you get started - read our advice on speaking to student support services.
What to consider now

What accessible and inclusive online platforms are used to deliver online learning and assessment? Do all departments use the same technology?

How will the university ensure you can access all aspects of blended learning and assessment methods (i.e. face-to-face and virtual elements)?

Check lecture halls, libraries, and living accommodation are all accessible and suited to your requirements - speak to the disability support team if you anticipate any challenges.

It is a huge change and takes a lot of getting used to, but I now love living away from home and my new-found independence.

Catherine Alexander, studying BA (Hons) English at Lancaster University

Open days and visits

Open days are a valuable way to find out about a university or college first-hand - you can tour the facilities, speak to staff and current students, and really get a feel for whether you would like to study there. Lots of universities offer virtual open days too, so if you can't visit in person, you don't have to miss out.

What to consider now:

Is the university running virtual open days this year? If so, do they include information on accessibility and support?

If you do need to see the university facilities in person, check if you can arrange a visit. The disability support team will be able to advise and, if necessary, make arrangements.

Open days are a good opportunity to speak to current students about their experiences, but you don't need to miss out if you can't attend one in person - chat to students online at your university.

Visit the open days page (including virtual events).

Read our checklist for disabled students when preparing for open days and visits.

I think if you are deaf, you are much more in charge of yourself. You have to take the first steps and that can be pretty challenging because deafness no doubt causes a lack of confidence. But if you build the larger part of the bridge towards other students, work closely together with the people who want to help you, then it is worth it and I can absolutely recommend having the courage and taking the step towards university.

Fred Suter, studying BA (Hons) Modern Languages at University of Southampton

The UCAS application

The easiest way to let the university or college know about your support needs is to use the question on the UCAS application - this will ask you to select your impairment(s) or condition(s), and you can give more information in the free text box below if you wish. If you'd like to know more about sharing information about a condition or impairment in the application, read our FAQs page.

The information you give about an impairment or condition is only used by the student services team to arrange the support you may need before you arrive - this can also include help during the application journey (e.g. access for interviews, open days and auditions) - it is never used to make an academic judgement on your application.

We always recommend getting in touch with the university or college once you have accepted an offer to discuss the arrangements for your arrival and they will be happy to give you more information about the services and resources available, and answer any questions you may have.

If you decide not to share this information, that is fine - it is entirely your decision. If you change your mind, you can tell the university or college directly at any time but we recommend doing this sooner rather than later so there are no delays to getting the support ready for you.

It's important to note that you are in full control of your support and if you decide you don't need it, you don't have to use it - but it's a good idea to have it ready in place just in case your circumstances change, or you change your mind later on.

This is what typically happens after you submit your application:

1. The application is sent by secure transfer to the university or college admissions department. All health data is handled confidentially under UK-GDPR legislation.

2. Admissions staff assess the application based only on the applicant's academic aptitude and potential to succeed on the course. Information about an applicant's health is kept confidential and only accessible to those who are responsible for organising support - it's not used to make an academic judgement.

3. If the applicant is made an offer or invited to interview or audition, the information is transferred securely to the student support team where reasonable adjustments are organised as necessary.

4. Once an offer is accepted, the student support team may contact the applicant with information about the available support or to discuss the support available. This may include completing a questionnaire, a visit to the university or college to arrange support, or more information about applying for a DSA.

5. Before the student's arrival, the student support team may draft a support agreement outlining any reasonable adjustments and discuss this with the student - taking account of DSA recommendations where applicable.

6. Prior to starting the course, the student support team will discuss the distribution of any support document with the student. This will be securely shared on a strict 'need to know' basis. This may include academic staff, the personal tutor, the accommodation team, library staff, and exams officers as appropriate.

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) scheme aims to ensure everyone has the support and adjustments they need to succeed during their studies.

Find out all you need to know about DSA eligibility, applying, and the support that's available.

More about DSA

Support with transition

A new start can make you feel excited and nervous - there's a lot to think about.

Some universities and colleges offer summer schools and courses to help you manage the change, particularly if you are finding it challenging. For example, some summer schools are specifically designed to help students with anxiety or autistic spectrum conditions settle in.

It's good to be prepared and know what to expect, so the Know Before You Go guide from Student Minds is a great resource to help you get ready for the change. You might also find their Transitions Guide useful to help you navigate university life.

Fitness to practice

In professions where you are responsible for the health and safety of other people, such as medicine or nursing, it is necessary that you meet 'fitness to practise' regulations. This means practitioners must demonstrate the skills and knowledge to carry out their duties safely and effectively. This is usually assessed through a questionnaire about your health, and an occupational health assessment may be required.

An impairment, mental health condition, learning difference or illness, is unlikely to affect your fitness to practise. Universities and employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to support disabled people under the Equality Act 2010.

Check the guidance about fitness to practise from your chosen professional course (e.g. social work, teaching, medicine, nursing) - your course provider will be able to help with this.

Support for disabled people taking apprenticeships

Being disabled shouldn't limit your job or study choice, and apprenticeships can be a great route for you to get into your chosen career. Watch a case study, get advice on reasonable adjustments, funding, accessibility of apprenticeships, and more.
More on support for disabled people taking apprenticeships

Further information and support

Helpful blog articles

Hear more from students about their own experiences of going to university with a physical or mental health condition or learning difference, and from organisations offering expert advice.

The National Association of Disability Practitioners (NADP) works with professionals who support disabled students in post-16 education. Read their blog article, Working for a successful student journey for disabled students, which explains who to contact at your university or college, and how a disability adviser can support you through your journey to uni.

For a student's own experience with mental health related conditions at university, read Zoe's story.

Ability Net helps disabled people access and use technology, and offers free advice and resources - how they can help you and what support you may be eligible for.

Student Minds and UMHAN have created three joint blogs: Disclosing a mental health difficulty on your UCAS application, The benefits of disclosing a mental health difficulty, and Disclosing a mental health difficulty: your rights.

Head Up! is a student-led organisation which offers information and advice, and mentoring opportunities to disabled people aged 14-18, which can cover university applications, managing school or social situations, and securing access support.

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UCAS article

Sponsored by University of Plymouth

UCAS article

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Students with physical or mental health conditions and learning differences

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For students with disabilities, it's important to make sure you've applied for the right funding and that the right people know what you need.

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Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition

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Get help at work, including an Access to Work grant, if you have a disability or health condition - eligibility, how to apply.

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what happens next? a guide to follow-up and adjusting to normal life for parents and carers whose child or teenager has finished treatment for cancer

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What happens next? A guide to follow-up and adjusting to normal life for parents and carers whose child or teenager has finished treatment for cancer

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Macmillan online forum: travel insurance 

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Macmillan online forum: travel insurance 

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Travel insurance forum for cancer patients

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Have you had difficulty getting travel insurance after a cancer diagnosis? Or have you managed to find a reasonable quote? Join this group to share experiences and talk to people who understand what you're going through.

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It turns out there's actually some science behind listening to bedtime stories, a ritual traditionally cherished by children around the world, to help people of all ages fall asleep.

"The reason they work is because they focus the mind," explains Britney Blair, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist who's board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine, and an adjunct clinical instructor at The Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine.

"One of the reasons people have difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep is because the mind gets quite active at night. You're often distracted all day long, and when you get into bed, your mind just really goes off on you. Bedtime stories do not permit your mind to do that process."

In other words, listening to a story helps quiet all the racing thoughts that interrupt our ability to fall asleep, simply by refocusing our minds on dreamy imagery instead.

Bedtime stories may also help stimulate the " relaxation response," a term coined by Dr. Herbert Benson in the 1970s, which refers to a physiological shift that happens when the body is no longer in flight-or-flight mode.

"If we're able to use a bedtime story to short-circuit that cognitive response, they're great. One way to activate the parasympathetic nervous system is to focus the mind, like bedtime stories do, and that can signal for the systems in your body to go chill," says Blair.

Sleep stories can be part of a healthy bedtime ritual that can ready your mind and body for rest, adds Blair. But try to end the story when your eyelids are heavy and you're ready to drift off. Keeping the audio on once you've entered the sleep stages could "rob yourself of deep sleep," she warns. You don't want to suddenly wake up at 3 a.m. because the story is still going.

Where to find sleep stories for grown-ups

1. Calm

You'll like it if... autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is your deal.

This meditation-focused app boasts a library of more than 200 sleep stories, ranging in tops from adventures in lush destinations to intentionally boring narrations and even whispered tales designed to trigger the tingles of peace and calm.

2. Headspace

You'll like it if... you like a little guided help.

Another meditation app, Headspace has its own collection of bedtime stories called Sleepcasts. The 45- to 55-minute recordings start with a breathing or meditation exercise to help you wind down, followed by "an audio-guided tour of a dreamy environment."

3. Nothing Much Happens

You'll like it if... you like repetition and slow paced stories.

In each episode of this three-year-old podcast, yoga and meditation teacher Kathryn Nicolai reads a relatively plotless story twice, the second time even more slowly than the first, to pave a smooth path to shuteye.

Available on Apple and Google podcasts.

4. Sleepy

You'll like it if... you miss bedtime stories of your childhood.

Every week, radio producer Otis Gray revives old tales in the public domain as sleep-inducing episodes of Sleepy, the "podcast to help you snooze." Between his warm, deep voice, and the classic stories you're already well acquainted with (Think: "Treasure Island," "Robin Hood," and "The Secret Garden"), this podcast will help you drift off with ease.

Available on Spotify, Google podcasts, and Stitcher.

5. Sleep With Me

You'll like it if... you need things to get a little interesting, but not too interesting.

Quiet those racing thoughts at night by tuning into Sleep With Me. In each episode, podcast host Drew Ackerman plays the role of "Dearest Scooter" and lulls listeners to sleep with rambling stories that take you on tons of pointless - yet imaginative - tangents.

Available on Spotify, Apple, and Google podcasts.

6. Sleep Whispers

You'll like it if... you want a range of stories to choose from, depending on your mood.

If soothing, sweetly whispering voices help you get to sleep, you'll love the podcast Sleep Whispers. The content of each roughly 30- to 40-minute-long episode ranges from guided meditations and fairy tales to encyclopedia-like narrations about pop culture, rare animals, and history, all narrated in an airy, purr-like voice.

Available on Spotify, Apple podcast, and via their website.

7. Get Sleepy

You'll like it if... you want all the relaxing elements in every episode.

This podcast kicks off each episode with a meditation to help still the mind and prepare you for sleep. Then, you'll hear a calming story, such as a Japanese folktale or history-inspired narrative, that will help you catch some Zzz's in no time.

Available on Spotify, Apple, and Google podcast.

A podcast to help you learn about your sleep

If you're curious to learn more about sleep itself, Mattress Firm's podcast " Are You Sleeping?" explores the fascinating stories and prevailing questions people have about sleep. The 10-episode series, hosted by Kate Berlant with sleep psychologist Dr. Shelby Harris, dives into the unique and unexplained sides of sleep, including the short-sleep gene, sleep paralysis, sleep divorces, lucid dreams, and more.

Available on Apple and Spotify.

How bedtime stories worked for me

I felt like I had tried everything - melatonin, counting backwards, breathing techniques, even aromatherapy - to try to get to sleep. Nothing worked. Night after night was a cycle of tossing and turning before drifting off and waking up for hours in the middle of the night.

Things changed when I discovered the sleep stories feature in a meditation app. At first, I was skeptical of the app's promise to lull listeners to sleep through audio tracks. But after a couple of weeks of particularly bad insomnia, I was desperate for a solution. I flicked on one track called "Blue Gold," put my phone face down on my nightstand, and let the narrator (British actor Stephen Fry) lead me on a stroll through the lavender fields of Provence.

The start of the story blanketed my imagination in the relaxing scents and scenes of the purple perennials. I can't tell you what the rest of "Blue Gold" entails, though. I fell asleep in just a few minutes and, to my amazement, didn't wake up again until my alarm went off at 7 a.m. Could this be the insomnia antidote I had been looking for?

I repeated the experiment for a couple weeks to see if it was simply a fluke, and here's what I found: Whether the audio track was about crossing the Atlantic aboard the Queen Mary, stargazing on Stewart Island, or hiking to a secret waterfall, these sleep stories - told in honeyed voices - consistently had me snoozing in minutes. It felt like magic.

Will bedtime stories cure your insomnia? Not permanently - especially if your insomnia has other causes than racing thoughts - but it's worth a try. They've helped me fall asleep faster. And during those (now) rare occasions when I wake up in the wee hours, they help keep my mind off my worries and help me fall back asleep.

Knowing I have hundreds of bedtime stories on my phone, all just waiting to put me to sleep, offers some peace of mind that insomnia doesn't have to dominate my life.

Don't like stories? There are also sleep songs, box breathing exercises, and YouTube playlists for sleep.

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Fall Asleep to These 7 Adult Bedtime Stories, Apps, and Podcasts

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It turns out there's actually some science behind listening to bedtime stories, a ritual traditionally cherished by children around the world, to help people of all ages fall asleep. "The reason they work is because they focus the mind," explains Britney Blair, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist who's board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine, and an adjunct clinical instructor at The Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine.

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If you're unemployed you could be eligible to receive tailored support to get you into employment in the shortest time possible.

What is ReAct+?

ReAct+ offers tailored solutions which may include financial support, skills training and Personal Development Support to help remove barriers to employment, such as support with mental health, confidence building, language skills and more.

ReAct+ is a new grant programme that builds on the success of previous programmes and is part of the Welsh Government's Young Person's Guarantee.

Eligibility

To be eligible for ReAct+ support you must be aged 18+ and be a resident in Wales with a right to live and work in the UK and either:

Under formal notice of redundancy or

Been made redundant or unemployed within the last 12 months or

Be aged 18-24 and not in education, employment or training

How does it work?

If you're interested in how ReAct+ can help you please contact Working Wales to book an appointment.

A Working Wales adviser will provide expert careers information, advice and guidance and will explore all of the options available to you.

If ReAct+ is the right fit, an adviser will support you with your application and help you create an action plan. Once your eligibility has been verified and your plan is approved, your adviser will complete your final submission.

What is available to you through ReAct+?

The support you get is tailored specifically to you and your situation. All support is designed around getting you into employment in the shortest time possible.

ReAct+ can include:

Up to £1,500 to help you get the relevant skills you need - Vocational Training Grant

Up to £4,550 to help cover childcare/caring costs when you're training

Up to £500 of personal development support to help remove barriers to employment - Personal Development Support

Mentoring and work experience

Up to £300 of extra support towards additional costs when you're training, including travel and accommodation

How ReAct+ could support your next employer

Have a prospective employer in mind? Employers can access ReAct+ support to help with the cost of wages and job-related training for an eligible new recruit.

You must not have worked for 6 weeks or more since your redundancy or unemployment before they apply. You also must not start working for your new employer until the support is approved.

Find out how they can benefit from taking you on below.

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It is common to feel uncertain after a cancer diagnosis and after cancer treatment. You may be worrying about cancer coming back but there tips for coping with worry and uncertainty.

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Free online courses for teens/young people

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Free online courses for teens/young people

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You're more than your diagnosis. You're still you.

Cancer shouldn't hold you back or define who you are and what you can do. By joining our activities and short breaks, you'll be able to:

We'll help you to rebuild your life or at the very least, live with your diagnosis in the best possible way.

It's quick and easy to sign up and you can then start joining our activities as soon as you feel ready, for however long you need our support.

Here's some further information on the different types of support we offer:

Activities and Events

Our FREE activities take place face-to-face and digitally, so no matter where you live, whether you're at home or in hospital, you can benefit from our support.

There's no limit to how many you can attend, and our activities are tailored to suit all needs, interests and abilities. There's lots to look forward to every week and these are just some of the activities we run regularly:

Short Breaks

If you're aged 18 or over, you won't want to miss our annual short breaks!

In addition to the regular activities we run, we bring around 20 young people together each summer for an unforgettable stay away from home. It's one of the highlights of our year!

You'll get to take part in different activities each day and on the last night you'll celebrate your time together with a formal dinner. The activities are varied to suit everyones interests and abilities and you'll leave having made so many memories, as well as new friends. You'll then have the opportunity to join our reunion break in the Spring, which brings you back together with the friends you've made.

Take a look at what we get up to!

Discover You

Our Discover You event is for you and your family. It's about achieving your aspirations in life, whether they are personal or professional goals. You'll hear from inspirational speakers throughout the day, who will inspire you with their own life stories and the hurdles they've had to overcome.

Online Learning

We help to build your self-confidence, help you feel motivated, and improve your self-esteem. We want you to know that your chances of success haven't been impacted by the time you've had to take out of education or work.

To support you, we have partnered with the team at New Skills Academy, an online education provider, who are offering access to any of their courses to Teens, free of charge. Whether you are looking for something academic, thinking about your first job, or wanting to do something positive while you think about longer term options, there'll be something for you.

Take a look, here, and then if you find something you're interested in, give us a call on 01992 440091, and we will talk you through the next steps.

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teens :) unite fighting cancer | nobody likes the ‘c’ word’

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You're more than your diagnosis. You're still you. Cancer shouldn't hold you back or

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‎Come Curious: Sex with and after Cancer - with Brian Lobel on Apple Podcasts

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‎Show Come Curious, Ep Sex with and after Cancer - with Brian Lobel - 10 Nov 2021

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Sex with Cancer is an online shop, an artwork and a public campaign exploring how people living with and beyond cancer can take agency over their own health and wellbeing. Watch the video below to find out more...

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What if cancer patients got together to open a sex shop? Products, artworks and peer-led advice around illness and intimacy

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Services For People With Disfigurements | Changing Faces

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Learn about Skin Camouflage and our other specialist wellbeing services, including our support line, Online Community and one-to-one sessions.

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Gift Aid does not cost you a penny more, but can add an additional 25p to every £1 you donate. When Mind Over Cancer receives a donation from a UK taxpayer, we're entitled to claim an amount of tax (calculated at the basic rate of income tax in that year) paid on that donation. Once you have given your permission for us to do this on your behalf, there is no need for you to do anything else.

All that is required is that you must be a taxpayer and that would have paid or will pay sufficient Income and/or Capital Gains Tax to cover all the Gift Aid claimed on all your donations in that tax year. Please note that it is your responsibility to pay any difference.

The amount of tax we claim will be 25% of the total value of your donations in that tax year. Furthermore, if you are a higher taxpayer, you are also entitled to claim the difference between the basic rate which we will claim and the amount of tax you have actually paid. For further details on how you can do this, please contact your tax office. If your tax situation changes and your gifts will no longer be eligible for the Gift Aid scheme please contact us and we will amend your record accordingly.

Take me to my donation "

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Mind Over Cancer - We're here when you are ready to talk

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Gift Aid does not cost you a penny more, but can add an additional 25p to every £1 you donate. When Mind Over Cancer receives a donation from a UK taxpayer, we're entitled to claim an amount of tax (calculated at the basic rate of income tax in that year) paid on that donation.

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Last week , a game designed to help sufferers of panic attacks, won funding as part of the Social Tech, Social Change initiative. Here's a more detailed look into how the game will work and the research that's going into it:

The game is designed for mobile (Android and iOS) and acts as an interface between the user and a set of breathing retraining exercises -- an anxiety management technique. "My sister and I have both experienced panic disorders and we started speaking about a breathing retraining app about six years ago," said Simon Fox, creative director of Playlab London, to Wired.co.uk. "It became a real project much more recently after I saw a little indie project called [a game by Droqen] which asked its players to hold their breath. The idea of breath as a game mechanic seemed rich and the potential connection with breathing retraining was immediately apparent."

Flowy is designed to be played by those in the grips of a panic attack which means it can't be too complex -- when you suddenly feel like you can't breathe and might die, there's not so much attention capacity leftover for finicky gameplay mechanics or a convoluted narrative.

The games translate a user's breath into a two-dimensional world where it is used to blow boats around, motivate kittens and power up robots

"As a result we decided to move away from producing a single longform game with a story, in favour of a series of minigames -- smaller, simpler interactions each designed to last between five and 15 breaths," said Fox. "A single play session will involve playing a few different novel games. The games translate a user's breath into a two-dimensional world where it is used to blow boats around, motivate kittens and power up robots."

The gameplay itself doesn't directly monitor breathing. Instead the player presses one button onscreen as they breathe in and another as they breathe out. Whether the technique proves effective is something which requires research on the part of the team and in conjunction with medical professionals.

Nick Grey, Clinical Director at CADAT (the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma at King's College) is supporting the development of Flowy and the game is being co-designed with clinicians at Southwark and Croydon IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) services. "Doing the investigation, which will tell us whether

Flowy is effective, is a multi-stage process," said Fox. "No one research project will give us a definitive answer so we have to do a lot of separate enquiries. Right now we're interviewing academics in the psychology department of Queen Mary's University London who will help us to design an effective experiment."

The connection with other mental health services is a vital part of Flowy. As Fox explains, the app will have the capacity to monitor usage and to signpost relevant services to the player if their condition worsens. It could also be used by medical professionals to get a picture of how severely someone with an anxiety disorder is being affected by panic attacks. "We're also speaking with mental health charities and a whole slew of NHS departments to make sure that what we're doing fits with their ideas about how to deliver genuine benefit," says Fox. "We want to build a partnership with the NHS which will allow us to perform our first trial with practitioners in their hospitals."

Flowy is currently in development and is intended for release on Google's Play store and via the Apple app store.

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Flowy: how a mobile game will combat panic attacks with kittens and robots

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Wired.co.uk takes a closer look at how Flowy, a game designed to help sufferers of panic attacks, actually works

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improving access

improving outcomes

sleep

A clear, self-explanatory workbook covering the principles of sleep hygiene

panic

A workbook for treating panic attacks using graded exposure.

Designed to be used with a therapist.

progressive muscle relaxation

A simple worksheet for progressive muscle relaxation

other resources

Other non-text resources. Videos, podcasts audio files etc.

Also, other comics about mental health.

about therapy comics

Many of the interventions used to treat mental health problems can be illustrated. This allows a universal resource to be available for therapists to use with anyone who struggles with typical text-based materials.

​

Therapy Comics is developing high-quality, materials for evidence-based interventions that are in common use by therapists.

​

The materials on this site have been designed for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, High Intensity Therapists and CBT therapists working in IAPT services in England.

about me

I have worked as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in the NHS since 2012.

A few years ago I carried out a triage assessment with someone with chronic insomnia and Generalised Anxiety Disorder.

I was surprised to hear that he had previously had unsuccessful CBT. He said:

​

"The CBT was all "read this... write that...." and I couldn't do it. I've got really bad dyslexia"

​

And this got me thinking.

​

We don't need all these words.

​

​

Bad design is committing the same moral sin as a lack of access. In fact, really, at the end of the day, we all have disabilities. We all have cognitive limits, we all have limits of our senses, and a failure to recognise the multiplicity of barriers that stand between us and what sometimes is life saving information is an urgent public work that needs to take place.

​

Scott McCloud interviewed on 99% Invisible

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Therapy Comics. Mental health resources for therapists, using comics instead of text.

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Although our programme may involve some fun activities like online gaming, arts and crafts and cooking, our aim is to give you the chance to meet with and get to know other young people who know what cancer and treatment is like.

If you're aged 18-27

You can sign up now and receive invites each month! All extra resources needed for the activities will be provided by us free of charge.

Honestly, I'm a bit fed up of digital, why should I join this?

You may think online events just aren't your thing - or feel burnt out by constant screen-time during the pandemic - we can relate! Our approach is shaped by young people and has three key elements:

Our group sizes are manageable and small, which will enable staff and other young people to get to know each other.

Our activities are varied and don't require any pre-existing skills or experience.

Our sessions are inclusive of all young people.

"I have attended both digital and face-to-face events and I can say that I have had the best time on both. I find that digital events help me meet new people from the comfort of somewhere that is familiar to me, then when I go to a face-to-face event, I already know some familiar faces." Lucia, digital programme participant and Youth Advisory Group member

If you want to join our Over 18s Digital Monthly Meet-ups, you must:

have been diagnosed with cancer (or were still on active treatment) on or after your 13th birthday

be aged between 18 and 27 from 7th September 2023

be on active treatment currently

OR

be no more than 2 years post-treatment

Some young people may be undergoing therapies for non-cancerous conditions, such as aplastic anaemia and fibromatosis, which bear similarities with cancer treatment. These applications will be considered on an individual basis provided they meet the wider criteria.

If you know another young person who meets this eligibility criteria, why not let them know about the event too? Just send them this link: Over 18s Digital Monthly Meet-ups

After we've received your registration/consent form we will check you meet the criteria with the key hospital contact you have listed in the form. We'll then be back in touch to let you know if your place has been confirmed. You will then be verified for 1 calendar year and we will send you information out each month with instructions to join the sessions.

If you want to know more about signing up please email us at: [email protected]

Frequently asked questions

More events for young people

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Over 18s Digital Monthly Meet-ups | Teenage Cancer Trust

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The free Digital Monthly Meet-ups are a chance for you to meet other young people who have cancer from all over the UK.

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Although our programme may involve some fun activities like online gaming, arts and crafts and cooking, our aim is to give you the chance to meet with and get to know other young people who know what cancer and treatment is like.

If you're aged 13-17

You can sign up now and receive invites each month! All extra resources needed for the activities will be provided by us free of charge.

Honestly, I'm a bit fed up of digital, why should I join this?

You may think online events just aren't your thing - or feel burnt out by constant screen-time during the pandemic - we can relate! Our approach is shaped by young people and has three key elements:

Our group sizes are manageable and small, which will enable staff and other young people to get to know each other.

Our activities are varied and don't require any pre-existing skills or experience.

Our sessions are inclusive of all young people.

"I have attended both digital and face-to-face events and I can say that I have had the best time on both. I find that digital events help me meet new people from the comfort of somewhere that is familiar to me, then when I go to a face-to-face event, I already know some familiar faces." Lucia, digital programme participant and Youth Advisory Group member

If you want to join our Under 18s Digital Monthly Meet-ups, you must:

have been diagnosed with cancer (or were still on active treatment) on or after your 13th birthday

be aged between 13 and 17 from 7th September 2023 (if you turn 18 during the year we will move you into our Over 18s group)

be on active treatment currently

OR

be no more than 2 years post-treatment

Some young people may be undergoing therapies for non-cancerous conditions, such as aplastic anaemia and fibromatosis, which bear similarities with cancer treatment. These applications will be considered on an individual basis provided they meet the wider criteria.

If you know another young person who meets this eligibility criteria, why not let them know about the event too? Just send them this link: Under 18s Digital Monthly Meet-ups

After we've received your registration/consent form we will check you meet the criteria with the key hospital contact you have listed in the form. We'll then be back in touch to let you know if your place has been confirmed. You will then be verified for 1 calendar year and we will send you information out each month with instructions to join the sessions.

If you want to know more about signing up please email us at: [email protected]

Frequently asked questions

More events for young people

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Under 18s Digital Monthly Meet-ups | Teenage Cancer Trust

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The free Digital Monthly Meet-ups are a chance for you to meet other young people who have cancer from all over the UK.

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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as war, a natural disaster, sexual assault, or other violence. One common symptom of both PTSD and C-PTSD is flashbacks, which are involuntary, intense and often distressing memories of the traumatic event that can be triggered by certain stimuli.

PTSD flashbacks can take many forms and can vary in intensity and duration. They can be experienced as vivid and disturbing memories that feel like they are happening again in the present moment. These flashbacks can be accompanied by intense emotional reactions, such as fear, anxiety, or anger. They can also cause physical reactions, such as a racing heart, difficulty breathing, or a feeling of detachment from the body.

Some people may experience flashbacks as visual images, such as seeing the traumatic event play out in their mind's eye. Others may experience flashbacks as sounds, smells, or other sensations that are associated with the trauma. These flashbacks can be so vivid and realistic that the person may have trouble distinguishing them from reality.

These flashbacks can be disruptive to a person's daily life and can make it difficult for them to function normally. They may avoid certain places or situations that remind them of the traumatic event, and may have difficulty maintaining relationships or holding down a job.

Treatment for PTSD and C-PTSD often includes therapy to help the person process and make sense of the traumatic event, and to develop coping mechanisms for managing flashbacks. This may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which can help the person identify and change negative thought patterns, and exposure therapy, which gradually exposes the person to the memories and situations that trigger their flashbacks. Medications, such as antidepressants, may also be prescribed to help manage the symptoms of PTSD.

Why do flashbacks occur?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is essentially a memory filing error caused by a traumatic event. When you experience something really traumatic your body suspends 'normal operations' and temporarily shuts down some bodily functions such as memory processing.

During trauma, your brain thinks 'processing and understanding what is going on right now is not important! Getting your legs ready to run, your heart rate up, and your arms ready to fight this danger is what's important right now, I'll get back to the processing later.'

As such, until the danger passes, the mind does not produce a memory for this traumatic event in the normal way. When your brain eventually goes back to try to process the trauma, the mind presents the situation as a memory for filing, but as it 'does not exist' in your memory yet, it sees it as a situation in the current timeline, and so it can be very distressing.

The distress comes from the fact that the brain is unable to recognise this as a 'memory' as it hasn't been processed as one. As such, if something reminds you of the trauma (a trigger), the facts of what happened, the emotions associated with the trauma and the sensations touch, taste, sound, vision, movement, and smell can be presented by the mind in the form of flashbacks - as if they are happening right now.

Why does your brain do this?

You probably have experienced your senses being attached to your memories before: the smell mulled wine can bring back memories of a great Christmas party, or a song can remind you of a great night out you once had. Most people have so-called 'flashbulb memories' of where they were and what they were doing when something momentous happened: When Princess Diana died, when they heard about the events of 9/11 etc - so it's clear that a memory is an all encompassing event, and a traumatic memory is no different.

Today, you are reading this page. What if I said 'tomorrow, I shall ask you to recall the memory of being on this website, and reading this page'. When you came to recall it, you would (consciously and unconsciously) recollect the whole event - not just the reading. You would perhaps be able to tell me where you were sitting, who you were with, that the tv was on in the background, that you were wearing your pyjamas, that you could smell your soup cooking in the kitchen, that you would hear your neighbours dog barking etc. The memory of 'simply reading a website' would contain lots of smaller details, all related to that event.

Now imagine if reading the website was a trauma which caused PTSD or C-PTSD. The next time you smelt soup cooking, or heard your neighbours dog barking, your mind would go to find a memory associated with those things (much like smelling suncream evokes memories of a great holiday), and the first thing it might come across is the 'un-filed' event (the trauma) which it serves to you - but as this hasn't been filed as a memory, it assumes it is a real life event happening now: it can't distinguish between the two. So in your mind, you are right there, reading the website, hearing the TV in the background, and wearing your pyjamas. This isn't something you can 'snap out of' - your mind has presented this to you as fact, and a real situation you are in now - and so you're reliving that trauma over and over again.

Because of this, PTSD and C-PTSD sufferers can have many 'triggers' - sounds, smells, physical sensations, tastes, things you see, emotions you feel etc can all bring back the trauma, presented as real life - a flashback.

In order to combat and reduce flashbacks, it's important to understand your triggers.

What triggers a flashback?

PTSD flashbacks are often triggered by things that remind the person of the traumatic event they experienced. These triggers can be external, such as sights, sounds, smells, or locations that are associated with the trauma. They can also be internal, such as certain thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations that are similar to those experienced during the traumatic event. Some common triggers for PTSD and C-PTSD flashbacks include loud noises, crowds, physical contact, or the anniversary of the traumatic event. It's important to note that triggers can vary from person to person and can even be different for the same person at different times.

For some people, it's easy to identify their triggers (for example, a person involved in a car accident may be triggered simply by being in a car, a burglary victim may be triggered by hearing breaking glass, a military veteran might be triggered by loud noises that sound like gunfire). Other triggers may take some time to identify and understand. For example, maybe a song was playing during your trauma, and now that song or even others in the same genre of music are triggers; an assault victim may be triggered by the smell of alcohol if their attacker had been drinking etc.

It's important to understand too that emotions, internal feelings and sensations can also trigger PTSD symptoms.

Identifying your triggers

To identify your own PTSD or C-PTSD triggers, it can be helpful to keep a diary or journal where you record any experiences that cause you distress. Over time, you may notice patterns or common stimuli that trigger flashbacks. You may also find it helpful to talk to a therapist or counsellor, who can help you identify and work through your triggers.

It's important to remember that not everyone reacts to triggers in the same way. Some people may be able to cope with a trigger without experiencing significant distress, while others may have a strong emotional response. It's also possible for the same trigger to affect someone differently at different times. For example, someone may be able to cope with a trigger when they are feeling well-rested and supported, but have a stronger reaction when they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

Identifying your PTSD triggers can be an important step in managing the condition and improving your quality of life. By keeping track of your triggers and working with a mental health professional, you can learn coping strategies and develop a plan to manage your symptoms.

Flashbacks are a difficult part of PTSD and C-PTSD, but knowing when they may happen, and what helped (or didn't help) during and after than are key.

5 ways to manage flashbacks

1. Establish a safe and calming environment: Create a safe space in your home where you can go to relax and feel calm if you feel a flashback coming on. This might include dim lighting, soft music, and comfortable furnishings.

2. Practice deep breathing exercises: When you start to experience a flashback, take slow, deep breaths to help calm your body and mind. This can help to reduce the intensity of the flashback and allow you to regain control.

3. Use grounding techniques: Grounding techniques can help to 'bring you back' to the present moment and can be especially helpful during a flashback. Examples of grounding techniques include focusing on your surroundings, using your senses to describe what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel, or repeating a calming mantra to yourself.

4. Reach out for support: Don't be afraid to reach out for support from friends, family, or a mental health professional when you are experiencing flashbacks. They can provide you with emotional support and help you to cope with the difficult feelings that may arise.

5. Develop a self-care plan: Taking care of yourself is important when managing PTSD and C-PTSD - often it comes down to managing your 'window of tolerance'. Create a self-care plan that includes activities that help you to relax and reduce stress, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time in nature. This can help to prevent flashbacks and improve your overall well-being.

To understand more about the science behind PTSD and C-PTSD, and why it causes flashbacks, read our science of PTSD information.

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IMAGE: 'B is for Buzzcocks' by Andrew Smith

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Understanding PTSD Flashbacks and Triggers

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PTSD UK - a community for everyone in the UK affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

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Learn how to help yourself while coping with PTSD or complex PTSD, including practical tips for dealing with flashbacks.

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Do you know someone who is starting or going through cancer treatment and could benefit from taking part in our 12-week wellbeing support programme? Big C's Get Moving programme is designed to increase physical activity with weekly online exercise classes and regular 1:1 support.

Who is the programme for?

The programme is suitable for anyone aged 18 years and over who would like to get more active at any stage of their cancer treatment: pre, during, or after.

We will always ensure it's safe and appropriate for you to participate, and you will be invited to a 1:1 session before you start the programme to ensure it's right for you.

What does the programme consist of?

Sessions are held weekly, over a period of 12 weeks, including...

One to one phone call

A discussion on what you'd like to achieve by taking part.

Weekly group exercise sessions

These will be held online.

Regular 1:1 support

We'll support you all the way, helping you to increase your physical activity as you go.

"Big C has given me something to do outside the grey world of cancer and allowed me to mix with other people during the pandemic and reconnect with the world outside."
GET MOVING participant

You might like to try

Tackle cancer

Join our latest support programme at Goals Norwich - a Walking Football and support group for people affected by cancer.

Join us every Wednesday at 1.30pm or get in touch to find out more on 0800 092 7640.

You might like to try

Seated pilates

Join our 12-week wellbeing support programme to increase your physical activity with a weekly online exercise class and regular 1:1 support.

You might like to try

Nourish & Nurture

Do you know someone who is starting or going through cancer treatment and could benefit from taking part in our 12-week nutrition and wellbeing programme?

Cancer and exercise

Keeping active before, during, and after cancer treatment can help both your physical and mental health.

Take a look at our top tips and why not try some of our exercise at home videos.

If you're unsure as to where to start, you can always give our support team a call on 0800 092 7640.

Essential Flavour

We've been working with Co-Founder of Life Kitchen, Ryan Riley, and together have produced a 15-recipe cook book, which is available for anyone affected by cancer and the cost-of-living crisis.

You can download your copy free of charge from our website, or order your free copy (£3 p&p fee applies) and we'll send it out to you within 3 working days.

Latest fundraising and event news

We can help you work through the maze of cancer information and navigate the path ahead.

Become a volunteer, fundraise or donate - your support is needed more than ever.

We are a local, people-first charity, committed to providing outstanding cancer support.

Let's keep in touch

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive news and updates from Big C.

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Get Moving programme - Big C Cancer Charity

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Big C's Get Moving programme is designed to increase physical activity with weekly online exercise classes and regular 1:1 support.

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Lifting the Lid on Cancer & Sex

Let's talk about sex - because, after cancer, you tell us it isn't happening. You don't need us to tell your cancer impacts every part of your life and that includes sex.

If Oncology teams aren't talking enough about it and you're just too embarrassed to bring it up, it's a stalemate. So it's time we blew the lid right off and got the topic front and centre.

Whether you're dating, have been married for years, or just want to enjoy time flying solo, then this event's for you. Sex isn't just a body thing - so much of it is in the mind too. It's time to throw back the covers on what goes on under the sheets or somewhere else if that is more your thing!

If you've just been diagnosed, living with or now finished treatment, or are a healthcare professional or loved one then this event is the one for you.
Book Tickets
Meet Your Host:

If you're part of the cancer community, there's no doubt you'll have heard of Lauren Mahon. She's a force to be reckoned with, a game-changer and we're lucky enough to call her a Trekstock Young Adult Ambassador.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in her 30s, she took her diagnosis and gave two fingers to cancer by launching the online platform GirlvsCancer with brilliantly designed tit-tees that raise money for four charities, including Trekstock.

She's also the host of the award-winning podcast You, Me & the Big C. Frank and funny, candid and real AF, she's the obvious choice to host our Lifting the Lid on Sex and Cancer - especially after GirlVsCancer's recent campaign Feeling Myself.

Meet Your Panelists:

Samantha Evans former nurse and co-founder of Jo Divine, online sex toy company, with my husband Paul. As the sexual health and pleasure expert at Jo Divine.

Sam writes practical articles about enjoying good sexual health, intimacy and, pleasure for their blog and the media. She advises many people and their partners about ways to enjoy sex following cancer treatment including overcoming vaginal dryness and atrophy, painful sex, vaginal tightness, decreased sexual sensation, struggling to orgasm, erectile issues, body image issues and, low libido through good communication, exploring our skin safe sex toys, pumps, silicone dilators and irritant-free sexual lubricants and vaginal moisturisers which can help them regain their sexual function, boost sexual health and enjoy sex in whatever way they want to or are able to with a partner or for solo pleasure. After all, sex is meant to be noisy, messy, embarrassing, consensual, pleasurable, and most of all fun.

Certified Psycho-Sexologist. Alongside her therapy practice, she hosts Kate Moyle is an Accredited Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist, and The Sexual Wellness Sessions Podcast and is a regular media contributor on the topic of sex, relationships and, sexual wellbeing. Kate works using a biopsychosocial approach to understanding sexual wellbeing, challenges and, difficulties; and examines what is going on for those she is working with using an understanding of biological, psychological, and social factors and how they interact for that individual or couple. Ultimately her aim is to help people get to a place of sexual health, happiness and, wellbeing.

Brian Lobel is a performer, teacher and, curator who is interested in creating work about bodies and how they are watched, policed, poked, prodded and, loved by others. He regularly works with people living with and beyond cancer, projects of which include Fun with Cancer Patients(Kanazawa, Birmingham, Ghent) and BALL & Other Funny Stories About Cancerand A Pacifist's Guide to the War on Cancer(with Bryony Kimmings).

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Create a regular giving plan with us. We're then able to plan ahead and make long term commitments to young adults living with and beyond cancer. Read more
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"My life was put on hold from that moment onwards until I finished treatment and found Trekstock's Community, who helped me to feel normal again." Read more

As seen on Davina's CH4 Sex, Mind and the Menopause, Stacey's breast cancer treatment saw her go into a medically induced menopause. But after taking part in Trekstock's Menopause programme, her approach to her symptoms and the way she thinks about her body. Read more

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Hosted by the fierce and funny, Lauren Mahon and experts to lift the lid on cancer & sex.

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Back to education after cancer treatment

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Back to education after cancer treatment

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Going back to school, college or uni after cancer treatment can be nerve-racking. We talk to a disability advisor about your rights, how to prepare, what support you can get and who to talk to.

Going back to school, college or uni is a big step - it's normal to feel a mix of excitement and nerves

As a young person who has experienced cancer, you have rights in law which can help you get what you need in order to keep studying

It can be useful to talk to your teachers, tutors or friends about your cancer experience, to help them know how to help you

If you have been told you're clinically extremely vulnerable, keep up to date with the latest government guidelines and talk to your place of education about keeping you safe from coronavirus

As someone with cancer, you are protected by the Equality Act (England, Scotland and Wales) or the Disability Discrimination Act (Northern Ireland). You might not feel like you're disabled, but these laws are in place to help protect and help you be able to live your life.

Lucy Robinson, a disability officer at the University of the Arts London, explains something called 'reasonable adjustments' and what that means for young people:

"Reasonable adjustments are changes to the environment or teaching which help you to access learning on an equal footing, such as extra time for exams, speech-to-text software or a note-taker. What you need will be individual to you."

If you've got exams coming up, you might also be able to apply for various 'access arrangements'. This can cover things like being given extra time or having someone to write for you during an exam.

You may also be able to apply for 'extenuating or mitigating circumstances'. This can allow the exam board to consider your circumstances after your work is marked.

Lots of people apply for access arrangements and extenuating or mitigating circumstances every year, for all kinds of reasons. It can help to take some of the pressure off when you've had a difficult experience. It's not a blag and it doesn't make your mark worth any less - it's just recognition that you've not been able to study as much as you'd normally be able to.

Find out more about the Equality Act from the government and reasonable adjustments from the Human Rights Commission.

Macmillan Cancer Support also have some really helpful info on reasonable adjustments (PDF), and a directory of organisations who could help you with questions.

It can help to try and keep up with some work even if you're not able to stay at school, college or uni full-time during treatment. Doing things you're used to doing can help you feel more positive, and so can staying in touch with your teachers, tutors and the people in your classes.

Chat to your tutors about what it's possible for you to do, and try to avoid taking on too much and stressing yourself out. Your Teenage Cancer Trust Nurse or Youth Support Coordinator can help you plan for studying around your treatment.

Whether you used to love school or spent your lessons watching the clock, you might find yourself missing it during your cancer treatment. Your studies are a big part of your life (and social life), after all.

If you've been away for a while, the thought of going back might make you feel excited, or nervous, or both. But by staying in touch with your place of education, preparing for your return and not putting too much pressure on yourself, it'll soon feel more normal again.

If you're starting a new university or college after your cancer treatment, it can also be good to get in touch early, as there may be special resources available to you.

"Your initial plan of action when you know where you're going to study is:

1. "Contact your university's disability service.

2. "Give them written evidence of your condition.

3. "Apply for funding for support from Disabled Students Allowance if eligible."

You might find it helpful to chat to your school, college or uni before you go back, so you can let your teachers know how you're doing and how they can help. If you don't want to do this yourself, you can always ask your parents or a friend to go with you, or to go instead.

Get in touch with us as early as possible to make the most of the advice and support we can give.

Lucy Robinson, a disability advisor for University of the Arts London

You might also like to ask your teachers to talk to your class before you go back, so people have an idea of how your treatment has gone. It can help you avoid having to answer the same questions a thousand times.

Like a lot of things, your first day back usually seems a lot worse in your head than it actually turns out to be. You might find that some people seem a bit awkward and don't know what to say to you. But you'll also find that people are really happy to have you back.

You might want to arrange to meet a friend before school, if you think arriving with someone else might help you feel a bit less self-conscious.

And if you look a bit different after your treatment and are worried about how people might react, you could arrange to meet up with a few people before you go back. Try to remember, too, that everyone will get used to how you look now very quickly.

If anyone does make nasty comments, it can be hard not to take that very personally. Sometimes hurtful comments can come as a result of someone being nervous or confused about cancer. But if it carries on, let someone know - dealing with bullies isn't something you need on your mind.

If you struggle to keep up with your work at first, don't worry. You might have missed a lot.

Your treatment might have also affected your ability to concentrate, and you might feel exhausted. However you feel, your teachers will understand - and your classes will get easier as time passes. The most important thing right now is that you keep focusing on your health.

If you know you're going to miss classes because of appointments, you could:

Ask a friend to take notes for you

Get the teacher to email you with any work you miss

Talk to your teacher about which work is most important, so you can focus on that.

If you're worried about your studies or you're struggling to keep up, try not to keep it to yourself. It might help to talk to:

Your teachers, who are there to support you as well as teach you

Your place of education's disability department, if they have one

Your school, college or university counsellor, which might sound like a scary option, but really isn't - it's someone who's trained to listen and help you deal with problems

Your parents, who can talk to teachers if you'd rather not and might be able to help you get extra support

The people taking care of you, including doctors, nurses, social workers and youth workers, who might have some helpful ideas on how to cope with studying

Your friends, who might be able to help you keep up, or might just be the perfect people to open up to about your feelings.

Looking for info about studying during coronavirus? Check out our coronavirus info.

Read other young people's experiences of cancer and studying below, and through Jamie's story from Blood Cancer UK.

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Back to education after cancer | Teenage Cancer Trust

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Going back to education after cancer treatment can be nerve-racking. Learn about your rights, how to prepare, what support you can get and who to talk to.

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Returning to work after cancer treatment

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Returning to work after cancer treatment

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Returning to your job or looking for a new one can be a challenge after cancer. Find out about your rights, how to talk to your employer, and how to look for work.

Going back to work after cancer is a big change and it's normal to feel a mix of excitement and nerves

As a young person who's experienced cancer, you have rights in law which can help you get what you need in order to do your job

Talking to your employer can help them help you through something called reasonable adjustments

Your rights protect you when looking for a new job too, although you don't have to give them all the details at interview

If you have been told you're clinically extremely vulnerable, keep up to date with the latest government guidelines and talk to your work about keeping you safe from coronavirus

Listen to how Emily's place of work helped her to do her job once things changed after her cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Going back to work if you've had to take time off for cancer treatment can feel like a big step forward. But it's important not to rush it - and not to expect too much of yourself, too soon.

Where reasonable, your employer has a duty to make changes to help you do your job during and after treatment (as long as you've told them about your diagnosis). So when you feel ready, talk to your boss, your doctors or your clinical nurse specialist about what's possible, and ease yourself back in gently.

Your rights as a young person with cancer in employment

As someone with cancer, you are protected by the Equality Act (England, Scotland and Wales) or the Disability Discrimination Act (Northern Ireland). That means that your employer has to make ' reasonable adjustments ' to make sure you're able to work safely.

You might not feel like you're disabled, but these laws are in place to help protect and help you be able to live your life.

Reasonable adjustments can include things like giving you time off to go to hospital or doctor's appointments, giving you extra breaks and letting you return to work gradually.

Legally, you don't have to tell your employer if you've been diagnosed with cancer. But if you don't tell them, they don't have any obligation to make reasonable adjustments to help you.

Once you've told your employer about your diagnosis, it's also illegal for them to discriminate against you. So think carefully if you're not planning on letting them know.

Find out more about the Equality Act from the government and reasonable adjustments from the Human Rights Commission.

Macmillan Cancer Support also have some really helpful info on reasonable adjustments (PDF), and a directory of organisations who could help you with questions about your workplace.

Tips for going back to work after cancer

You might find you get tired more easily at first or sometimes struggle to concentrate. Try not to worry - that's totally normal. Here are some ideas for how to ease yourself back in:

Go back part time

You could talk to your boss about working fewer days or shorter shifts.

Take your breaks

Make sure you don't miss them - and relax when you have them.

Adjust your routine

Ask if you can arrange your day around the times you feel at your best.

Be honest if you're struggling

Your boss might be obliged to make reasonable adjustments to help you, like trying some of the things above.

Go easy on yourself

It takes time to recover from cancer and cancer treatment, so listen to your body and don't stress if you can't do everything you used to straightaway.

The people you work with will probably be curious about your treatment and how you're feeling, so it's worth thinking about how much you want to let them know. You might want to talk to everyone together, or you could speak to a few people and ask them to let others know. Or you might not feel ready to share much yet - that's ok, you don't have to.

Searching for a new job is tricky at the best of times. After you've had cancer it can seem even trickier. But if you're qualified and physically able to work, there's no reason that having had cancer should stop you landing the job you want.

In fact, there are very few reasons that an employer can question your health in an interview. It's OK for employers to ask about your health to check if you're able to complete a task that's fundamental to the role, or to make sure the recruitment process isn't discriminating against anyone, or to help them take 'positive action' (which might mean, for instance, improving their recruitment of people with disabilities).

But it's up to you how much you tell any potential employer. Try and resist any temptation to be dishonest, though - false answers have a habit of coming back to haunt you in the future.

And remember that, while you might not think of yourself as disabled, the Equality Act and the Discrimination Act consider everyone with cancer to be disabled. So if you're asked if you're disabled, you should say yes, even if it doesn't feel quite right.

Look out for the 'positive about disabled people' symbol on job ads. If you meet the basic conditions for the job, you'll definitely be asked in for an interview.

My Plus Students is an organisation that offers specialist careers advice to students who have a disability or long-term health condition (including cancer). You can register with them for jobhunting tips, legal advice and information about companies who are committed to employing people with disabilities.

Looking for info about working during coronavirus? Check out our coronavirus info.

Read other young people's experiences of cancer and work below, and through Nabeela's story from Blood Cancer UK.

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Returning to work after cancer treatment | Teenage Cancer Trust

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Returning to a job or looking for a new one can be a challenge after cancer. Find out about your rights, how to talk to your employer, and how to look for work.

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Life after Cancer | Free Support Groups | Coaching | United Kingdom

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Supporting you to build a positive life after you have completed cancer treatment. Life after Cancer supports people who have finished cancer treatment, with an aim to increase their physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing. We want everyone to build a positive life after cancer.

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How cancer affects your travels will depend on a number of factors, including the physical effects of the type of cancer you have and its treatments

Tiredness (fatigue)

Feeling very tired is a common side effect of cancer treatment. It can sometimes continue for months after treatment finishes. Tiredness may also be an ongoing symptom of the cancer. Think about how much activity you can manage and how to pace yourself. Try not to do too many things and make sure you rest between activities.

You can arrange help at airports, train stations and on ships. For example, you could arrange to have a wheelchair, so you do not need to walk as much.

Infection risk

Chemotherapy and some targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs can increase your risk of getting an infection. Most people have a lower risk a few weeks after finishing their treatment.

People who have had intensive treatment, such as a stem cell transplant, are at risk of infection for longer. After the first year, you can usually travel abroad. You will need to talk to your cancer doctor and get advice on vaccinations and whether you should take antibiotics with you.

Always follow the general advice you have been given to reduce your risk of an infection and see a doctor straight away if you think you may have an infection.

Risk of a blood clot

Travelling, especially flying, can increase the risk of developing a blood clot. This could happen on trips where you sit still for long periods of time, such as a long-distance flight, or on long bus, train or car journeys.

Cancer and some treatments can also increase your risk of a blood clot. Your doctor can explain this to you.

We have more information about preventing blood clot when you are travelling.

Being more sensitive to the sun

Radiotherapy and some other cancer drugs can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Protect your skin by using a sun cream with a high sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, and 4 or 5-star UVA protection rating.

You should stay out of sun during the hottest part of the day (between 11am and 3pm). When you are in the sun, you can also protect yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and suitable clothing to cover up. Try to sit in the shade, even at other times of the day.

We have more information about looking after yourself while on holiday.

Some cancer treatments can cause or increase the risk of long-term physical problems. These may be side effects that do not go away after a few months or that start months or years after treatment finishes.

Long-term effects of cancer treatment can include the following:

Lymphoedema (swelling of a part of the body) caused by surgery or radiotherapy to the lymph nodes (glands).

Changes to how your bowel or bladder works because of radiotherapy to the pelvis, or surgery to the bowel or bladder.

You can help manage lymphoedema when travelling by avoiding getting sunburnt, as this can increase the swelling. Before you travel, you can also ask your lymphoedema nurse about taking antibiotics with you when you go abroad.

We have more information about travelling with long-term effects of treatment.

Taking medication with you

Your cancer doctor, specialist nurse, GP, practice nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic can advise you about taking medicines abroad. They can tell you if you need to make any special arrangements. Try to talk to them as early as possible before your trip.

Find out more about taking medication abroad.

Most travel companies have a medical officer who can help you decide whether it is safe and practical for you to travel. They can be contacted before you leave to help plan your journey or during the trip.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) also has a checklist for disabled and less mobile travellers that you can fill out and show the travel companies.

Air travel

You can travel with up to two items of mobility equipment free of charge on a plane. This equipment could include a wheelchair or walking frame. This does not count as part of your baggage allowance (the maximum amount of luggage you can take on a plane for free). Contact your airline in advance to explain what equipment you plan to take, and ask if there are any restrictions.

We have more information about cancer and flying.

Rail travel

Many trains in the UK and abroad are wheelchair accessible. Check with train companies in advance about whether particular train lines and stations are suitable for your needs.

In England, Scotland and Wales, the Disabled Persons Railcard entitles people with mobility needs to cheaper rail fares. Similar travel discounts may be available in some other countries.

In the UK, National Rail runs a Passenger Assist scheme. You can book help at any station for any train journey. Call them for free on 0800 022 3720 (Textphone 0845 605 0699) and give details of your planned journey, 24 hours before you travel. You can check if a UK railway station has accessible facilities on the National Rail website.

Sea travel

If you are travelling by ship from the UK or Europe, you have a legal right to free help if you have mobility needs. Let the carrier, travel agent or tour operator know your needs when you book, or at least 48 hours before you travel.

Always tell a cruise line or ferry service if you need to travel with a carer. On a ferry, your carer may be able to travel for free.

Most modern cruise ships have disabled-access cabins. But places may be limited, and it is a good idea to book early.

Parking and driving abroad

In the UK, the Blue Badge scheme generally allows you to park for free in restricted areas if you have severe mobility problems. The Blue Badge is also recognised in some other European countries, but the rules differ between countries.

It is important to check in advance where you can park and for how long. You can find out more about the Blue Badge and other driving schemes and concessions in the UK from your local council.

The AA and have information about driving in different countries.

This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support's Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer. It has been approved by Chief Medical Editor, Professor Tim Iveson, Consultant Medical Oncologist.

Our cancer information has been awarded the PIF TICK. Created by the Patient Information Forum, this quality mark shows we meet PIF's 10 criteria for trustworthy health information.

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Travel and cancer - insurance, vaccinations, flying

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Cancer can affect your travels depending on the type of cancer, treatment and side effects you have. We have information to help you prepare and plan.

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When your treatment is over, you might want to have a break and go on holiday. Even though you have had cancer, you can still travel abroad. You will just have to plan a bit more carefully.

It is a good idea to talk to your doctor or nurse before you book a holiday, because there might be things you need to think about. For example, if you have had radiotherapy or certain medicines, your skin might be more sensitive to the sun. This means it is even more important to protect your skin from the sun.

Where to go

If you have had high-dose treatment with stem cell support, you will have to think carefully about which countries you go to. This is because you need vaccinations before visiting some countries, and there are certain live vaccines that you might not be able to have.

You should also think carefully about going to a country where there is malaria. Malaria can be very dangerous if you have had:

your spleen removed

high-dose treatment with stem cell support and total body irradiation.

Anyone visiting a country where there is malaria is advised to take full malaria precautions. Your doctor can give you advice about this. There are also specialist travel clinics that give health advice to travellers.

Before you travel

If you need to take medicines with you, for example strong painkillers, you might need to get a letter from your doctor so you can go through customs without any problems. You should also get a letter from your doctor if you need to take needles and syringes.

Sometimes people who have had cancer find it harder to get travel insurance, and they may have to pay more. But it is important to make sure you get travel insurance so if you are ill while you are away, you will be covered.

Macmillan Cancer Support has more information in their booklet Travel and cancer. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has information for people with disabilities and conditions like cancer about travelling abroad. There is also information on the website gov.uk.

Based on content originally produced by Macmillan Cancer Support.

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When your treatment is over, you might want to have a break and go on holiday. Even though you have had cancer, you can still travel abroad. You will just have to plan a bit more carefully.

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Late effects are side effects that: begin during or shortly after treatment and do not go away within 6 months - they can become permanent and are sometimes called long-term effects do not affect you during treatment but begin months or even years after your treatment ends. Late effects can sound worrying.

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Depending on the area of the body you have treated, you might have any of these long term side effects after radiotherapy:

your skin might look darker than it was before in the treated area - as if it is suntanned

your skin in the treatment area will always be slightly more sensitive to the sun

your skin might feel different to touch

your hair might grow back a different colour or texture in the treatment area

you might have permanent hair loss within the treated area

you might develop red spidery marks on your skin (telangiectasia) caused by small broken blood vessels

drainage channels to the arms or legs can become partly blocked resulting in swelling called lymphoedema

you might be unable to become pregnant or father a child if your ovaries or testicles were in the radiotherapy field

Long term effects on tissue

Radiotherapy makes tissues less stretchy. Doctors call this radiation fibrosis. How this affects you will vary depending on which part of your body was treated. Fibrosis may cause any of the following:

your bladder could become less stretchy and hold less urine after treatment to your abdomen, so you need to pass urine more often

your bowel habit may change after treatment to your pelvis

your breast might be a slightly different shape, feel firmer or harder after breast radiotherapy

your vagina could become narrower and less stretchy after treatment to your pelvic area

your arm may swell after treatment to your shoulder

your leg may swell after treatment to your groin

you may have an increase in breathlessness due to your lungs being less stretchy, after treatment to the lungs or chest

narrowing of the food pipe (oesophagus) making it difficult to swallow, after treatment to your neck or chest

Long term effects on the pelvis

The pelvis is the area between your hips. Radiotherapy to the pelvic area might cause:

changes to your bowel habit

bladder inflammation causing pain in your tummy (abdomen) and feeling like you need to pass urine more often (let your doctor know if this happens as it could be an infection)

fine cracks in the pelvic bones

your digestive system to stop taking in (absorbing) vitamin B12 from the food you eat - this can cause a vitamin B12 deficiency

bleeding from the bladder, bowel or vagina - always let your doctor know if this happens

tingling, weakness or loss of sensation in one or both legs - this is very rare and is called radiotherapy induced lumbosacral plexopathy (RILP)

weaker pelvic bones - you might have a DEXA scan to check them

These changes can gradually appear over a long time, sometimes several years. Talk to your doctor if you had radiotherapy in the past and are worried about side effects.

Newer ways of giving radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is more accurate than it has ever been. Current radiotherapy techniques, such as conformal radiotherapy and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), accurately shape the radiotherapy beams to fit the cancer. This means less healthy tissue receives radiation, and so there are fewer side effects.

Research continues to look into ways to make radiotherapy even more precise.

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Radiotherapy for cancer can have some long term side effects. It depends where on the body you have treatment. Side effects can include skin changes, hair loss or fertility problems.

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Most chemotherapy side effects are temporary and disappear once your treatment is over. For some people, chemotherapy can cause long term changes in the body months or years after treatment.

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Online workshops and events for young people with/after cancer

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Our upcoming teen events are for young people registered with Teens Unite. These are free of charge to attend and take place face-to-face and digitally, with different activities to look forward to each week. Here's what's coming up.

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teens :) unite fighting cancer | nobody likes the ‘c’ word’

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Teens :) Unite Fighting Cancer | Nobody likes the 'C' word'

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Our upcoming teen events are for young people registered with Teens Unite. These are free of charge to attend and take place face-to-face and digitally, with different activities to look forward to each week. Here's what's coming up.

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cardiff - Cancer support charity for young people - Shine

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Maggie's is a charity providing free cancer support and information in centres across the UK and online.

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Maggie's is a charity providing free cancer support and information in centres across the UK and online.

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If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, we’re here to help.

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Tenovus - Supporting someone with cancer

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Tenovus - Supporting someone with cancer

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Whilst looking after a loved one with cancer may just seem like something you’d naturally do, it can be stressful and challenging. It’s important to remember you may also need support, and to take time to look after yourself.

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HOPE Support - for partners, siblings and friends 

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HOPE Support - for partners, siblings and friends 

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Skip to content

When your child is diagnosed with cancer it propels you into a confusing world. But the challenges you face each day, supporting a child with cancer, are easier with the right advice and information. That's where we come in.

Introducing Young Lives vs Cancer. Your go-to place for the support you might need. We'll help you find the answers to any questions you might have about your child's diagnosis. If you ever want to know more, speak to our team of social care professionals on 0300 303 5220, chat to us in the bottom right of this page or email us getsupport@younglivesvscancer.org.uk

Chat to us today

Find out how we can help you

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Skip to content When your child is diagnosed with cancer it propels you into a confusing world. But the challenges you face each day, supporting a child with cancer, are easier with the right advice and information. That's where we come in. Introducing Young Lives vs Cancer.

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Maggie’s is a charity providing free cancer support and information in centres across the UK and online.

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By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information Accept

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

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By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information Accept The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

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plus one circle - Cancer support charity for young people - Shine

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Our aim is to encourage those living with and beyond cancer, their families and friends, and those working in cancer services to join their local 5k Your Way group at designated parkrun events on the last Saturday of every month.

It's 5k YOUR Way: walk, jog, run, cheer or volunteer and you don't have to do the whole 5k- do as much or as little as you want.

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Our aim is to encourage those living with and beyond cancer, their families and friends, and those working in cancer services to join their local 5k Your Way group at designated parkrun events on the last Saturday of every month.

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YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People

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YoungMinds are a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents, making sure all young people can get the mental health support they need.

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Programmes to help you... feel better get back on track feel calmer thrive To start: Select a Programme

How It Works

We design programmes to fit into your life. Based on years of clinical research, our methods are proven to help you feel better. Read more

Learn and practice for up to 20 minutes, 2-3 times per week.

Receive feedback from a qualified Supporter every two weeks

Access your programme and tools whenever, wherever.

How It Has Helped Others

Personal Story 3

Ayaz

Ayaz 21, on using the Space for Sleep program

I would often cancel plans to see friends from college because I just couldn't find the energy to get out the house. It wasn't until I had been filling out the sleep diary for a few weeks that I realised how little I was actually sleeping. The program showed me how making small changes could have a big impact on the quality of my sleep.

Read more about this programme

Personal Story 2

Ella

Ella, 20, on using the Space from Anxiety Programme

When my counsellor first suggested an online programme, I was terrified! I thought my problems were just too big and that I wouldn't be able to cope with it all alone. I felt a little reassured when I realised that I would have a supporter to help me and guide me as I worked through the program.

Read more about this programme

Personal Story 4

Jo

Jo, 61, on using the Space from Stress Program

I went to see my physician for a check-up. He told me that my blood pressure was too high. I needed to find a better way to deal with the stress in my life. A therapist also worked in the clinic and spoke to me about SilverCloud. I really didn't see how it could help me. I didn't go back for a while but then my stress levels got worse and I decided to give it another shot.

Read more about this programme

Corinne, on using the Supporting an Anxious Child programme for her daughter Maya

When I first clicked on the My Child's Anxiety tool, I decided to skip over it. The idea of describing Maya's various anxieties and the circumstances around them felt overwhelming. I think I was worried that writing them out would make them more real. And then I would have to face up to how my difficult relationship with Maya's dad might have affected her. I eventually decided to go back and give the tool a try. I'm glad I did. I think I surprised myself. Getting it all out of my head and onto the page was actually a relief. Having everything written out made me feel more in control of it.

Read more about this programme

Is it for you?

1 in 4 Source:
people in the world will be affected by a mental health condition
World Health Organisation

68%
of SilverCloud users show significant improvement.
Source: the Berkshire Clinical Trials, NHS

2 in 3 Source:
people with a known mental health condition will never seek help.
World Health Organisation

Still Unsure?

Have a look at our programs to find out if SilverCloud is for you.

Or, to find out more about being well, check out our wellbeing tips

Welcome to NHS Wales

Are you:

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SilverCloud. Making Space For Healthy Minds

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Programmes to help you... feel better get back on track feel calmer thrive To start: Select a Programme We design programmes to fit into your life. Based on years of clinical research, our methods are proven to help you feel better. Read more Learn and practice for up to 20 minutes, 2-3 times per week.

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The Alike app

A game-changing peer support platform.

Living with cancer can be lonely. Speaking to others who have been there, done that, and worn the unflattering hospital gown makes all the difference. That's what the Alike app is for.

It's a place to share, connect, vent or show off (if that's your thing). Whatever you need to do, whenever you need to do it, we're here. So jump in.

Why we exist

Making an inclusive space where people can connect.

Even with all the tech around us, the fact is, there's no dedicated space for young people with cancer to get to know each other online. So, we created one. And we used our firsthand experience to make sure it works - whoever you are and whatever stage of the journey you're at. Hear more from our founder, Brad.

young people are diagnosed with cancer every year

Thank you

To all our amazing partners, donors and fundraisers.

Your support has made this community a reality and you can't put a price on that. Find out how you can support Alike's mission. We'll love you for it, like, forever.

Let's talk

We're all about a good natter.

Got a question? An idea? Or just want to get something off your chest? Drop us a message and your details and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

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Alike | The community for (and by) people with cancer

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The Alike app A game-changing peer support platform. Living with cancer can be lonely. Speaking to others who have been there, done that, and worn the unflattering hospital gown makes all the difference. That's what the Alike app is for. It's a place to share, connect, vent or show off (if that's your thing).

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Reg. Charity 1197112.

Ella Dawson Foundation

© The Ella Dawson Foundation Copyright 2022, All Rights Reserved.

The Ella Dawson Foundation is a registered charity: 1197112 (England and Wales).

The Art Studio, 3 Delves Moor, Huddersfield, HD7 5TY

Tel: 07733 104198

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Reg. Charity 1197112. Ella Dawson Foundation © The Ella Dawson Foundation Copyright 2022, All Rights Reserved. The Ella Dawson Foundation is a registered charity: 1197112 (England and Wales). The Art Studio, 3 Delves Moor, Huddersfield, HD7 5TY Tel: 07733 104198

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The course can help you to take greater control of your actions, so that day-to-day life becomes less distressing and more enjoyable. You will learn practical and effective ways of dealing with thoughts and feelings that may be causing distress.

The course has been developed for you by Dr Neil Frude and will help you find out what is really important to you and give you the skills to be able to live your life with more confidence and a greater sense of purpose.

Start the course by clicking on the ACT 1 video below. There are four videos each lasting around 40 minutes. You can pause at any time and come back to them if you need to take a break. We recommend having a few days between each video so that you can practice the learning. For each of the videos there is a guide you can download, print or take notes on, and also some audio exercises that you can listen to.

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This free course is designed to help you improve your mental health. Feeling worried or anxious can have a big impact on your health and for some people life can be particularly difficult.

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This information is about cancer, sex and relationships. It is for teenagers and young people who are having or have had cancer treatment. It may also help carers, family members and friends.

Most people have questions about relationships and sex at some point during or after cancer treatment. You may have questions because cancer can:

change your body

affect your confidence

change how you feel about sex

make you worry about what people think about you.

These things are personal and can be difficult to talk about. You may also have a lot of other changes to cope with and think about. Cancer can affect many areas of your life, such as work, study or where you live. When these things change, your social life and relationships may have to change too. It is important to get all the information and support you need. If you want to talk to someone but you are not sure where to start, you might find it helpful to read our information about talking about sex and relationships, and who can help.

If you are in a relationship

If you are in a relationship, cancer can make things complicated. Some couples find their relationship grows stronger, while others find it hard to make it work. Every relationship is different.

Making time for each other

Cancer can take up a lot of your time. You may have a lot of appointments and hospital visits. You may have to stay in hospital or travel far to have treatment. This can mean spending less time with your partner than you are used to. You may not be able to do as many things together if you are in hospital or recovering from treatment.

Try to make the most of the times that you are together. This may be time together as a couple with friends and family. Or it may mean deciding to spend some time together without other people.

Try not to worry about spending some time apart. It can help build a healthy and strong relationship. If there is no way to see each other face to face, try to keep in touch using video calls, texting or social media.

Changes in your relationship

After a cancer diagnosis, it can sometimes feel like your partner or other people close to you do not feel as close. There may be lots of reasons for this:

Lots of people do not know much about cancer or cancer treatment. They may not understand what you are going through or how you feel.

Some people find it hard to cope with feeling upset or scared. They may avoid talking about what is happening, or even avoid spending time with you.

If you have to stop working or studying during cancer treatment, you may feel you have less in common with your partner.

Your relationship might change because your parents or other people are suddenly more involved in your life.

Your partner may not know how they fit into your life and what their role is.

Feeling close and comfortable in your relationship is important. But your feelings may change over time. Whatever you are feeling, keep talking and listening to each other. You could start by telling each other about your day or how you are both feeling.

What about sex?

If you have sex, you may find you are less interested during cancer treatment. Side effects can sometimes make having sex physically difficult. Or you may just feel too tired or not relaxed enough.

Even without cancer, people can find their interest in sex changes over time for lots of reasons. This is common and it is not usually a problem.

It is helpful to talk with your partner about how you both feel and what you are thinking. Try to be clear and open about what you want. Remember, there should never be any pressure to have sex. Some people enjoy sex and want to keep their sex life as normal as possible during cancer treatment. It is not like that for everyone. Do whatever is right for you.

If you do have sex, make sure you use the right contraception. Your cancer doctor or specialist nurse can explain more about types of contraception that protect you and your partner, and that prevent pregnancy.

If a relationship ends

Sometimes relationships do not last. Going through a break-up can be hard for anyone. But it may seem even harder when you are coping with cancer too. However the relationship ends, it is normal to feel some strong emotions.

Things will get better with time. Until then, these tips might help:

It is okay to be sad, angry or even relieved that the relationship is over. Give yourself time and be honest about what you are feeling.

Try to do things you enjoy and that make you feel good about yourself.

Do something that interests you, like a hobby. Or try something new.

Spend some time with friends.

If you are not in a relationship

You do not need to be in a relationship to have questions about how cancer can affect your sex life or relationships. But you may worry that people will not expect you to think about it because you are single. Your healthcare team are there to answer any questions you have. Try not to be embarrassed, and ask them about anything you are worried about. Your healthcare team will be used to talking about these things.

If you are not sure about your gender or sexuality Finding out who you are, and what you like sexually, is part of life. Cancer does not change that. Some people have a clear sense of their gender and who they find attractive. Others need time to work it out.

It is common to have questions about gender or sexuality, but this can also be stressful. You may feel like it is another worry when you are already coping with a lot. You may worry about how people will react if you tell them you are not sure about these things.

What about sex?

It is natural to worry about what sex will be like after cancer treatment. It does not matter whether you have had sex before or not. Cancer and its treatment can make your body look, feel or work differently. This can be hard to deal with. Some changes may be short term, such as hair loss. But some may be permanent, for example losing a limb (amputation).

It can take a while to adjust to any changes to your body. If your appearance has changed, you may wonder if other people find you attractive. If your feelings or confidence are stopping you
having sex, it can help to talk about it. Sometimes practical advice about coping with a change can help. You may choose to talk to:

a friend or family member you trust

someone from your healthcare team, such as your cancer doctor, specialist nurse or GP

an organisation that can provide advice and support.

Most people can have sex after cancer treatment, but for some people sex is more complicated.

If you are starting a new relationship

Starting a new relationship can be exciting, but sometimes a bit scary too. It can be fun getting to know someone and letting them get to know you. But you might find it hard to know how to talk about cancer.

If you are still having cancer treatment, a new partner may not understand what you are going through. If you meet someone after you have finished cancer treatment, they may not even know you had cancer. You might not want to talk about it or feel it is too soon to tell them. If the cancer has affected your body, sex life or fertility, you may be worried about how a new partner will react.

It is your decision how, when and what you tell a new partner. Some people are comfortable talking about their experiences from the start of a relationship. Others prefer to wait. It can help to talk to someone else before deciding what to do. You might choose to talk to a family member, friend or health professional.

If you decide it is the right time to talk to your partner, think about what you want them to understand. For example, what are the most important things for you? Or what are the things that worry you?

Relationships are often made stronger by good communication and honesty. Here are some tips:

Think about how much you want to share. You may only want to tell your partner the type of cancer or some things about your treatment.

Introduce the subject gently. You could start with something like, 'This is going to be hard, but I need to tell you something'.

Try to give small amounts of information. Your partner may not be able to take everything in at one time.

When you start talking, remember to listen too. Your partner might have different questions or worries that they want to talk about.

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This information is about cancer, sex and relationships. It is for teenagers and young people who are having or have had cancer treatment. It may also help carers, family members and friends. Most people have questions about relationships and sex at some point during or after cancer treatment.

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Having cancer will affect all areas of your life. Whether you're at school or university, or working, this section has information on letting your school, university or employer know you have cancer, returning after treatment, and the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis.

Letting school, university or work know

It is important that your school, university or work knows about the cancer. They need to know the effect that the cancer and its treatment has had on you. It will also help if they know about any particular needs you may have. You, or an adult who is close to you (like a parent or carer) should get in touch with school, university or work to talk this through.

You may be able to get support from a Young Lives vs Cancer care professional. They offer support with any issues that happen at your work or university. For example, they may talk to your employer about taking leave or reducing your working hours during treatment.

Going back to school, university or work

During treatment, you may need to have some time off from school, university or work. You may be able to return to school, university or work between treatments. If that isn't possible, once your treatment is over and you are feeling well again, you may want to get back to your normal life.

You may be anxious about mixing with people your own age again. You may worry about how friends who haven't seen you for a while will react, particularly if you look very different.

It is a good idea to try to meet up with your friends either at home or somewhere where you feel comfortable, before you go back to school, university or work. You could invite them round or go out together. It will give you confidence and make sure there are friendly faces around you when you go back to your normal routine.

Talking to teachers or employers

Teachers and employers may not know very much about your illness. Most of them will be supportive, but attitudes can vary, and sometimes people don't know enough about your situation. You will need to be clear about your needs. Don't assume that your teachers or employers understand or know anything about cancer, because this can lead to misunderstandings. For example, some teachers may get annoyed about pupils wearing hats, without realising this may be a way of dealing with hair loss. Explaining this beforehand can usually avoid any problems.

If you are going back to school, the school nurse should be able to support you and help you talk to staff about anything you need.

Bullying

Bullies pick on people who are different to them. If you are being bullied because you have cancer, or because of your cancer treatment or appearance, it is important not to blame yourself. Talk to someone about it. Tell your school. Perhaps they could arrange to teach a lesson about cancer. This may help your classmates and teachers understand more about your situation.

Your rights at work

If you are going back to work, tell your manager in advance. You can talk to them about any needs you may have and the best way to return.

If you are a member of a trade union, you could also contact your representative. If you work for a large company, there should also be an occupational health nurse who can help you deal with any issues you may have.

Sometimes it is hard to go back to work again. But if you have or have had cancer, you are protected by law from unfair treatment at work. It is illegal for an employer to treat you less favourably (discriminate against you) because of your cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Support have more information about your rights at work in their booklet Your rights at work when you're affected by cancer. This information is written for people of all age groups and you can order a free copy.

Getting career advice

If you would like to get a job, change jobs or do a course, you could speak to a careers adviser. There are different career advisers depending on where you live in the UK:

In England, if you are aged 13 or over, you can call the National Careers Service helpline for young people on 0800 100 900. You can also chat with their advisers online.

In Scotland, contact Skills Development Scotland by calling 0800 917 8000 or visit them online.

In Wales, contact Careers Wales by calling 0800 028 4844, or chat with their advisers online.

In Northern Ireland, contact the Careers Service NI on 0300 200 7820 or visit them online.

Whichever adviser you choose, explain about the cancer and tell them what kind of work or study you might be interested in. If they help you find a job placement, they will also advise you on the best way to tell employers about your medical needs. They can also give you information on courses, including less academic but more work-related qualifications like NVQs, Key Skills, AVCEs and BTECs. If you are aged 19 or over, you will be able to get help and guidance from your local Jobcentre.

Financial help

Living with cancer can be expensive. There may be extra costs from things like travelling to hospital, and you may have to stop working for a while. Some people may have financial support from their family, but others may not.

If you are unable to find work or are struggling with money, you may be able to get benefits. Benefits are payments from the government to people in need. You can find out more about benefits by calling Macmillan Cancer Support's specialists on 0808 808 00 00. You can speak to one of their welfare rights advisers, who can tell you about benefits and help you apply for them.

They can also provide details about organisations that can give financial help to young people with cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Support also have information about benefits on their website.

You can also call Citizens Advice or visit gov.uk (if you live in England, Scotland or Wales) or nidirect.gov.uk (if you live in Northern Ireland). Your social worker can help you make an appointment with a benefits adviser or Citizens Advice worker.

Student loans and tuition fees

If you were at university during your treatment, you may have had advice from the university's disability or financial advice team. They will be able to keep helping you, even if you haven't spoken to them for a while. If you needed time off because of treatment, they should be able to help you get funding for when you to come back.

As a student who has had cancer, you may be entitled to benefits. You can call the Disabled Students Helpline on 0800 328 5050to talk to someone about the different options available.

Mortgages and insurance

Living with cancer might make it difficult to pay for housing costs. This may be because you have had to stop working for a while, or because you need to spend more money on heating and other bills.

There are things you can do and help that is available if you are struggling. For example:

If you have a mortgage and are struggling to make the repayments after treatment, your mortgage lender may be able to give you a mortgage holiday or stop your repayments for a few months.

If you are thinking about buying your first home, you might find it useful to get a broker to help. It can sometimes be harder to get a mortgage or insurance if you have had cancer.

If you are finding it difficult to pay rent, you may be able to get Housing Benefit from your local council or housing executive to help with payments.

You may also be able to get extra payments from the council to help with your council tax.

For more information about help with housing costs, call the Macmillan financial guides on 0808 808 00 00.

Questions you could ask about school, work and money

Here are some questions you might want to ask your clinical nurse specialist, oncology outreach nurse, social worker or a benefits adviser.

How can my school, or university support me?

How much should I tell my school or university about the cancer?

What will happen if I need to take time off from studying?

What will happen if I need time off work?

What are my rights at work?

Can I get help with looking for a job?

Can I get benefits or financial help if I am having money problems?

Based on content originally produced by Macmillan Cancer Support.

We use cookies to improve your experience of our site.

By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Continue Find out more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Having cancer will affect all areas of your life. Whether you're at school or university, or working, this section has information on letting your school, university or employer know you have cancer, returning after treatment, and the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Having cancer will affect all areas of your life. Whether you're at school or university, or working, this section has information on letting your school, university or employer know you have cancer, returning after treatment, and the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis.

Letting school, university or work know

It is important that your school, university or work knows about the cancer. They need to know the effect that the cancer and its treatment has had on you. It will also help if they know about any particular needs you may have. You, or an adult who is close to you (like a parent or carer) should get in touch with school, university or work to talk this through.

You may be able to get support from a Young Lives vs Cancer care professional. They offer support with any issues that happen at your work or university. For example, they may talk to your employer about taking leave or reducing your working hours during treatment.

Going back to school, university or work

During treatment, you may need to have some time off from school, university or work. You may be able to return to school, university or work between treatments. If that isn't possible, once your treatment is over and you are feeling well again, you may want to get back to your normal life.

You may be anxious about mixing with people your own age again. You may worry about how friends who haven't seen you for a while will react, particularly if you look very different.

It is a good idea to try to meet up with your friends either at home or somewhere where you feel comfortable, before you go back to school, university or work. You could invite them round or go out together. It will give you confidence and make sure there are friendly faces around you when you go back to your normal routine.

Talking to teachers or employers

Teachers and employers may not know very much about your illness. Most of them will be supportive, but attitudes can vary, and sometimes people don't know enough about your situation. You will need to be clear about your needs. Don't assume that your teachers or employers understand or know anything about cancer, because this can lead to misunderstandings. For example, some teachers may get annoyed about pupils wearing hats, without realising this may be a way of dealing with hair loss. Explaining this beforehand can usually avoid any problems.

If you are going back to school, the school nurse should be able to support you and help you talk to staff about anything you need.

Bullying

Bullies pick on people who are different to them. If you are being bullied because you have cancer, or because of your cancer treatment or appearance, it is important not to blame yourself. Talk to someone about it. Tell your school. Perhaps they could arrange to teach a lesson about cancer. This may help your classmates and teachers understand more about your situation.

Your rights at work

If you are going back to work, tell your manager in advance. You can talk to them about any needs you may have and the best way to return.

If you are a member of a trade union, you could also contact your representative. If you work for a large company, there should also be an occupational health nurse who can help you deal with any issues you may have.

Sometimes it is hard to go back to work again. But if you have or have had cancer, you are protected by law from unfair treatment at work. It is illegal for an employer to treat you less favourably (discriminate against you) because of your cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Support have more information about your rights at work in their booklet Your rights at work when you're affected by cancer. This information is written for people of all age groups and you can order a free copy.

Getting career advice

If you would like to get a job, change jobs or do a course, you could speak to a careers adviser. There are different career advisers depending on where you live in the UK:

In England, if you are aged 13 or over, you can call the National Careers Service helpline for young people on 0800 100 900. You can also chat with their advisers online.

In Scotland, contact Skills Development Scotland by calling 0800 917 8000 or visit them online.

In Wales, contact Careers Wales by calling 0800 028 4844, or chat with their advisers online.

In Northern Ireland, contact the Careers Service NI on 0300 200 7820 or visit them online.

Whichever adviser you choose, explain about the cancer and tell them what kind of work or study you might be interested in. If they help you find a job placement, they will also advise you on the best way to tell employers about your medical needs. They can also give you information on courses, including less academic but more work-related qualifications like NVQs, Key Skills, AVCEs and BTECs. If you are aged 19 or over, you will be able to get help and guidance from your local Jobcentre.

Financial help

Living with cancer can be expensive. There may be extra costs from things like travelling to hospital, and you may have to stop working for a while. Some people may have financial support from their family, but others may not.

If you are unable to find work or are struggling with money, you may be able to get benefits. Benefits are payments from the government to people in need. You can find out more about benefits by calling Macmillan Cancer Support's specialists on 0808 808 00 00. You can speak to one of their welfare rights advisers, who can tell you about benefits and help you apply for them.

They can also provide details about organisations that can give financial help to young people with cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Support also have information about benefits on their website.

You can also call Citizens Advice or visit gov.uk (if you live in England, Scotland or Wales) or nidirect.gov.uk (if you live in Northern Ireland). Your social worker can help you make an appointment with a benefits adviser or Citizens Advice worker.

Student loans and tuition fees

If you were at university during your treatment, you may have had advice from the university's disability or financial advice team. They will be able to keep helping you, even if you haven't spoken to them for a while. If you needed time off because of treatment, they should be able to help you get funding for when you to come back.

As a student who has had cancer, you may be entitled to benefits. You can call the Disabled Students Helpline on 0800 328 5050to talk to someone about the different options available.

Mortgages and insurance

Living with cancer might make it difficult to pay for housing costs. This may be because you have had to stop working for a while, or because you need to spend more money on heating and other bills.

There are things you can do and help that is available if you are struggling. For example:

If you have a mortgage and are struggling to make the repayments after treatment, your mortgage lender may be able to give you a mortgage holiday or stop your repayments for a few months.

If you are thinking about buying your first home, you might find it useful to get a broker to help. It can sometimes be harder to get a mortgage or insurance if you have had cancer.

If you are finding it difficult to pay rent, you may be able to get Housing Benefit from your local council or housing executive to help with payments.

You may also be able to get extra payments from the council to help with your council tax.

For more information about help with housing costs, call the Macmillan financial guides on 0808 808 00 00.

Questions you could ask about school, work and money

Here are some questions you might want to ask your clinical nurse specialist, oncology outreach nurse, social worker or a benefits adviser.

How can my school, or university support me?

How much should I tell my school or university about the cancer?

What will happen if I need to take time off from studying?

What will happen if I need time off work?

What are my rights at work?

Can I get help with looking for a job?

Can I get benefits or financial help if I am having money problems?

Based on content originally produced by Macmillan Cancer Support.

We use cookies to improve your experience of our site.

By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Continue Find out more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Having cancer will affect all areas of your life. Whether you're at school or university, or working, this section has information on letting your school, university or employer know you have cancer, returning after treatment, and the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis.

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Returning to Work after Cancer - An Employers Guide.

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We look at the steps employers can follow to facilitate a successful return to work for employees returning after cancer treatment.

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Once you have finished cancer treatment, life does not suddenly go back to "normal". In fact, life after cancer can hit hardest emotionally. The routine, people and support you'd gotten used to suddenly falls away. You are left trying to make sense of what happened to you and trying to piece your life back together again. Your treatment has finished, so what's the problem? Let's break down the main considerations for life after cancer and getting back to "normal".

Leaving hospital life behind

The familiar surroundings and routine of treatment can become a key part of what gets you through. The care and attention from doctors, nurses, care professionals and friends becomes essential in those hard times. Then you finish treatment, and the bubble bursts. Those faces aren't around anymore. You find yourself back at home, trying to build a new routine - and it's all up to you. Trying to put cancer behind you and move forward with your life is daunting. It can feel lonely and scary - you might not feel ready for it.

You might feel isolated but you aren't on your own. Time will help to make life, as it is now, feel more normal and do-able. You don't have the safety net of your team and friends at hospital anymore and filling this gap is easier said than done, but there will always be people you can turn to. Talking to other people who have been through it is a good place to start - join our Team Young Lives Facebook group and post how you feel. You'll probably be surprised to find how many people feel the same way.

Friendships on the outside

Most friends are bound to find it difficult to get what you've been through. They're probably just glad to have you back and are excited to be 'normal' with you again. They don't see that things have changed, and it's just not that easy. That's not to say you're going to be a total party pooper. But there's definitely pressure there to be the old, fun you when actually, you might feel like you're not the same person as you were before your diagnosis.

You might feel disconnected from your friends. Missing out on stuff and feeling 'out of the loop' when you're having treatment is frankly pants, and it might feel like everyone else has moved on. Plus, it's not easy talking about it when you feel everyone just wants you to 'get over it'.

Show them this page for a start. It will help them get a better idea of the varied and complex issues that people your age go through after finishing cancer treatment. They can never really understand in the same way as someone who's been through it can. But if you open up to them about how you feel - and especially what you need - then if they're a true mate, they will listen and take what you have to say on board.

Finding your identity again

Do you still feel like the same person you were before diagnosis? Cancer doesn't have to define you, but it might have changed you - or have made you see things differently. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Going through hard times can give you strength you didn't know you had. It can give you a unique perspective. But once you're out of treatment, it's normal to feel a bit lost. You've gone from the role of 'patient' to 'survivor' - but what does being a survivor mean? You might not identify with this term at all. It's easy to allow cancer to become a big part of your identity - especially if you're faced with the daily after-effects or the physical and emotional scars of treatment.

Take a step back. You need to find out what simply being you means now.

It might take a while to find your feet again but this will happen as you get back into different aspects of your life. Remember all the other things that you are - a student, a colleague, a blogger, a writer, an athlete, a musician, a dreamer, an explorer - you are so much more than just a survivor. You don't need to 'move on' from cancer. Just be mindful of your experience, and don't give it more attention than it deserves. Cancer isn't you: it was just part of the process of discovering who you are.

Changing plans

Cancer pulled the rug from beneath your feet at a pivotal point in your life. This is when you were supposed to be figuring stuff out. If you're feeling pressure to return to the same job or course as before, what do you do? You might have a new perspective on life that just doesn't fit in with what you were doing before. Or you might feel you missed out on time where you could have been discovering what you want.

You might feel a renewed sense of passion and purpose in life now, and have a clear vision of what you now want to accomplish. Or you might feel dissatisfied with going back to things as they were but can't really put your finger on why. Use this as an opportunity to explore your options. Take some time, if you can, to think about what you would find fulfilling - this could be starting something new, or stopping something old. Talk it through with the important people in your life. You could also have a look at the National Careers Service to find out more or get inspiration.

Getting back into work or education

Time away from work or education can make things tricky (like it needs to be any harder). You might have gaps on your CV or be expected to restart your course where you left off. Tiredness and other physical effects could mean working full time isn't an option, or that studying needs to take a back seat. This might all leave you feeling frustrated and that you can't move forward in the way you want.

First thing to do is know your rights. Not employing someone because of their illness or making reasonable adjustments to help them study are forms of discrimination. You can share our guides with prospective employers, or educational establishments to give them a better understanding of what their responsibility is to you.

For advice and support, Access to Work is a government programme designed to support people with health conditions or disabilities to get back into work. Or speak to your place of education - they are likely to have a support service that can offer advice, or look at UCAS for more guidance.

The physical effects of treatment

Managing ongoing effects such as fatigue, disability or fertility issues can be a massive challenge, both physically and emotionally. You might have to overcome more obstacles in your life because of these, whether that's to do with work, education or relationships.

Educate people about your needs. Let them know that there are barriers to you doing certain things. Giving people an understanding will help make life a little easier for you - whether that's an employer making a reasonable adjustment to make work more doable, or confiding in a friend that you're too knackered to go to that thing. It will help them give you the practical or emotional support you need. Our guides for the people in your life are designed to give a snapshot into cancer, so make sure you share them.

Dealing with everything you've been through

After treatment, the sheer emotional weight of what you've been through could start to hit home. It's normal to reflect on the enormity of what you've been through but it can be emotionally draining when all those feelings start to catch up with you. The loss of friends and 'survivor guilt' can be particularly difficult to get your head around.

It can be daunting to seek help, but if what you've been through does begin to catch up with you, remember that it's normal to feel this way and you don't have to go through it alone.  Get support   to help you come to terms with these feelings.

Scanxiety and fear of relapse

Cancer doesn't just stop. You'll need to have follow-up appointments, with scans and tests to check that your body is working as it should be. But this can bring it all back - the stress and anxiety. How do you get on with things if you're constantly on stand-by?

Make sure you schedule your appointment for whenever works for you. Pick a busy day if you like to have distractions, or a quiet day if you need time and space to mentally prepare. There are also calming techniques to make use of - whether it's a mindfulness app or just remembering to take deep breaths. Maybe a friend or relative could come with you to remind you? Having someone there to support you through it could make all the difference. And make sure you plan a treat afterwards!

If scanxiety is causing you a lot of worry and stress, speak to your healthcare team to see how they can help.

You might also like...

Useful reading and resources

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Life after cancer: Getting back to "normal" after treatment

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Life doesn't just get back to normal after cancer treatment ends. Here's why it can hit hardest emotionally.