Our Youth Activity Coordinator, Chelsey, joined the team in September 2024 and works on the teenage haematology and oncology ward at the hospital, supporting young people aged 13-18. Life as a teenager is meant to be full of new experiences, growing independence, and looking ahead, but a cancer diagnosis during these years can turn everything upside down. Unlike younger children, teenagers are often more aware of the seriousness of their illness and what they’re missing out on, from school and social events to friendships and future plans. Treatment can disrupt their education, affect their mental health, change how they see themselves, and put strain on relationships. All of this means getting them the right support is essential. We caught up with Chelsey to hear more about her role: “Every day is different, and it’s completely dependent on what the young people on the wards need from me. Sometimes that can be activities like arts and crafts on a one to one basis, sometimes it’s group activities and sometimes it’s just being a listening ear. It’s important that the teenagers know that they have ownership over what we do, so much is out of their control so it’s up to them which activities they take part in and how they engage with me.” “I also act as a bit of a link between the teenagers and lots of the other teams, both at the hospital and elsewhere to make sure they are getting the best possible experience. This includes signposting to other services like Candlelighters Talking Therapy and Wellbeing sessions, and linking up with people like the play team, physios, dieticians and education teams.” “I recently worked with a 17 year old, Molly*, who was feeling really anxious about getting out of bed. I linked up with the physio team and made a schedule so the physio could come the same time every day, and I would be there too. Having this routine and knowing what to expect and what was going to happen worked really well for Molly and she made real improvements in her mobility. She was also struggling to remember what she’d eaten and drunk during the day and so we created a food chart together to help her communicate with the dieticians.” “I think it’s important to remember just because they are teenagers and under 18, doesn’t mean they don’t fully understand what is going on and know what they want. It’s so important to listen and respect this!” Chelsey also does Beads of Courage with most of the young people she works with. For children and young people facing cancer, every treatment, hospital visit, and moment of bravery adds up. The Beads of Courage programme offers a unique way to mark each of those moments. Children receive a new Bead of Courage for every step of their treatment journey. These aren’t just tokens, they form a physical timeline that reflects the ups and downs of their recovery. Over time, the beads build into long, colourful strands that tell the story of what each child has faced. Each bead has a specific meaning. For example: Each child’s bead collection is completely unique—just like their treatment journey. This can be really powerful for young people as the beads offer a way to communicate with friends and wider family, who might not understand what cancer treatment involves. The strands can be brought into school or shown to extended family, opening up conversations and helping others understand. We know just how much of a difference people like Chelsey make for teenagers facing cancer. Could you make a donation today to help us continue providing this vital support? 
“I’m not medical, I’m never going to tell them bad news or be involved in any sort of procedure, so I think they often see me as a safe space – whether that’s chatting about school drama or the things they’re going through like hair loss and changes to their appearance.”
