Candlelighters In Your Community

Why was Candlelighters in Your Community introduced?

At Candlelighters, we are always looking at new ways to support our families. In 2019 Candlelighters conducted a research project with families and professionals to see how we could further expand our support services. We found that families felt increasingly isolated when they returned home from hospital or after a bereavement, and they wanted more support closer to home.

We want our families to know that Candlelighters' support is here for them for as long as they need it. So, we have launched Candlelighters in Your Community to ensure families feel well supported across Yorkshire, no matter the distance.

A team of Candlelighters community support workers are based in communities across Yorkshire providing all of our support services to families at home and in their local area.

How does Candlelighters in Your Community benefit families?

Candlelighters in Your Community aims to reduce the barriers that some families face when trying to access support and makes our services more accessible to all families across Yorkshire. Our Community Support Team work flexibly to ensure families have the support they need when they need it most.

This support can take many forms:

  • 1-1 support to assess a family's needs - this could be a phone call, email or in-person to discuss any emotional, practical or financial support.
  • Walks & talks in local areas with other families affected by childhood cancer.
  • Wellbeing Days where families can book a massage or relaxation treatment.
  • Groups and events for all family members, allowing them to meet others on a similar journey.
  • Fundraising advice
  • Introduction to other charities and organisations

These support services aim to reduce isolation, allow families to meet others affected by childhood cancer and take the services offered at The Square across Yorkshire. Whatever type of support families need, they will be sure to meet a friendly face who will do their best to help them.

How can families access community support?

Candlelighters have Community Support Workers who cover all areas of Yorkshire. To find out more about the Community Support Worker for your area, email us at [email protected].

Alternatively, families can speak to their Social Worker or Outreach Nurse, who will put them in touch with the team.

A Community Support Worker will contact a newly diagnosed family once they have received their new patient grant from Candlelighters. An email will be sent out to families with an introduction from the Community Support Worker, detailing what support they can provide and how families can access it.

Our stories

Talking Brain Tumour Research with Ryan Mathew
08-03-21Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
Candlelighters has funded research into the understanding and treatment of childhood cancers for 30 years. Academic neurosurgeon, Ryan Mathew, has been supported by Candlelighters since 2018, as part of a four year funding programme to enhance brain tumour research. Ryan qualified as a doctor in 2005 from the University of Leeds. Following hispassions of neurosurgery …
Ralph’s Story
05-03-21Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Ralph was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoma at the age of six. It was a complete and utter shock to the whole family as Ralph had always been a very healthy little boy. He had been unwell with suspected tonsillitis for a few weeks. We’d been back and forth to our GP and an overnight stay …
Our February 2021 Company of the Month is… FluidIT Consulting!
26-02-21Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
We are delighted to announce that our February 2021 Company of the Month is FluidIT Consulting! FluidIT began supporting Candlelighters last year, in response to our pandemic appeal and promptly became members of Candlelighters ‘Team 500’, by making a donation of £500. The team were keen to support in other ways too and decided that …
Charlie’s Story
24-02-21Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
We are a family of four. Dad Phil, mum Shelley, Charlie age six and Max age two. Charlie was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in April 2017 before his 3rd birthday. We had no idea that this condition existed until a skin biopsy on his groin area confirmed the LCH. Prior to this, we …
Candlelighters draws attention to cause on International Childhood Cancer Day
15-02-21Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Monday 15th February is International Childhood Cancer Day, a day when people all around the world come together to observe and recognise the impacts of childhood cancer. In #Yorkshire, over 150 children will be diagnosed with cancer each year and childhood cancer charity, Candlelighters has been there for over 40 years to offer support to …
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
11-02-21Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
11-02-2021 Did you know today is International Day of Women and Girls in Science? To mark the occasion, we spoke to Dr Jess Morgan who, with funding from Candlelighters, recently undertook research which will help children and young people with cancer to spend less time in hospital and more time at home… ‘Hello, my name …
Company of the Month… Barratt Developments!
25-01-21Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
Our company of the month for January – the first company of the month of 2021 is… Barratt Developments!   The brilliant Barratt Developments Yorkshire West has supported Candlelighters since 2018, raising over £30,000 during this time. The onset of COVID-19 meant many of their planned events were cancelled. These included their flagship golf day …
Company of the month… CDS!
21-12-20Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
Our company of the month for December – the final company of the month of 2020 is… CDS!   CDS first began supporting Candlelighters at the beginning of 2020 after choosing Candlelighters as their next charity of the year. The CDS team began the year with big plans and high hopes of raising £5,000 for …

Your stories

Jonathan’s Ten Million Steps in 2021!
26-02-21Your stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
Today we’d like to share Jonathan’s story. Jonathan has set himself an incredible challenge – to walk ten million steps during 2021. This goal works out at a staggering average of 27,397 steps every day (approximately 13 miles!) for 365 days. Jonathan is raising funds for both Candlelighters and The Fire Fighters Charity. Here’s why… …
Rupert Rows the Atlantic for Candlelighters!
12-02-21Your stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
We’re excited to share an incredible supporter story with you – that of Rupert Fenby. Having just finished his A-levels, Rupert, along with eleven others will be rowing across the Atlantic Ocean to raise funds for Candlelighters in March 2021. Rupert said, ‘I will be one of the youngest people to have rowed across the …