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

‘I’m looking forward to being able to come back into The Square once the go-ahead is given, but I’m certainly being looked after in the meantime and appreciate the fantastic virtual sessions that have been provided.’
26-08-20Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Clare has been a part of our Candlelighters family for just over seven years. Here’s her story and how Candlelighters are still supporting Clare and her family throughout the pandemic. “I’m Mummy to Neve and Belle, twin girls born in November 2012. In May 2013 both my girls were diagnosed with Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia …
Company of the Month… Bettys Bakery and Cookery School!
21-08-20Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
This month’s Company of the Month is Bettys Bakery and Cookery School! Bettys Bakery and Cookery School, based in Harrogate, chose to support Candlelighters in October 2019 and the team set a huge target to raise £14,000 for Candlelighters over their year of fundraising, through various initiatives including staff sales, challenges and raffles. They have …
Meet Melissa
11-08-20Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Melissa was diagnosed with an Orbital Rhabdomyosarcoma last Summer and had nine cycles of chemotherapy as well as 25 sessions of proton therapy away from home in Germany. Melissa had just rung the bell to celebrate finishing treatment when Covid-19 hit and lockdown happened. This meant that all of the things she’d been planning, that …
‘I am so lucky and privileged to be welcomed into our family’s homes at such a difficult time and to be part of their journey is a real honour.’
10-08-20Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
At Candlelighters we offer funding support for roles at Leeds Children’s Hospital. You might have met some of these friendly faces before! Like, our Dinner Lady Elaine, Play Leaders, Social Workers, the Advanced Nurse Practitioners on the ward and many more! Here’s a little about Tracy West and her role with families we support. Name: …
“Tracy was there for us all, she supported the whole family in a way that worked for everyone. She’s made life a lot easier for all of us”
04-08-20Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
“Candlelighters have been there from day one. Over the years we’ve had many special memories, made possible by Candlelighters” Elsa was first diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) in 2016, a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma when she was just two years old. Elsa and her family, including Mum Hayley, Dad John, Sister Amelia and older …
Meet Leo
29-07-20Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Please be the spark that keeps our candle burning so we can bring light to families in these darkest of times. Meet eight year old Leo. Leo was diagnosed in September 2019 with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.   Leo’s Mum said, ‘From day one, Leo has received continued support from the amazing Candlelighters team, on …
The Family Support Team launch their Virtual Summer Events!
17-07-20Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Get ready for some Summer time puns, as we launch our virtual Summer Events!! … Water you doing this Summer? Whatever floats your boat, we have a jam-packed virtual event diary for over the 6 weeks holidays for families we support! Tis the sea-sun to join in with some Candlelighters fun, catch up with friends …
Company of the Month… Shoosmiths
09-07-20Our stories • Posted by Candlelighters Marketing
This month’s Company of the Month is Shoosmiths Leeds! The Leeds Shoosmiths office have been supporting Candlelighters since early 2019. They have taken on many challenges since then including a Three Peaks walk in the pouring rain, Leeds 10k, bake sales, the Great North Run, office raffles and much more! Their amazing efforts have been …

Your stories

Graham & Anya
06-08-20Your stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
‘My name is Graham Morris and I am the dad of a family supported by Candlelighters. In 2015 my daughter, Anya, was diagnosed with a type of brain tumour called clival chordoma. Anya underwent 2 surgeries on her brain at Leeds General Infirmary to remove as much of the tumour as possible. We then spent …
‘You just have to live, live, live!’
14-07-20Your stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
14-07-20 Team Rueben’s Coast to Coast Challenge! Rueben’s amazing family are preparing to take on an absolutely incredible challenge. From 4th August, Rueben’s dad Stephen, step-mum Liz and their two sons Otis (aged 9) and Sidney (aged 8), will be walking 196 miles from St Bee’s and finishing at Robin Hoods Bay, which was Rueben’s …