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

We are launching our first ever Recruitment Open Day at Candlelighters!
14-03-19Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
We are launching our first ever Recruitment Open Day at Candlelighters! Ever wondered what it’s like to work in Fundraising or Family Support?   Just starting your career, or fancy a change? We’ve got a variety of paid roles, ranging from £16,000 – £24,000 (depending on experience)   Come along to our open days to find out! Wednesday …
Share A Card is back for 2018!
09-11-18Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
You can support Candlelighters this Christmas by opting in to take part in our Share A Card scheme! The Share a Card is a large A4 card, which can make its way around your work place, family, friends and groups, enabling each individual to write and personalise their own festive message. This year our Share …
Experiences of volunteers in a childhood cancer charity
17-10-18Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Recent research undertaken by a doctoral student at Leeds University, Rachael Eastlaugh, highlights the value of volunteering at Candlelighters. The research firstly looked at motivations for volunteering at Candlelighters and identified three main reasons. These reasons included recognition that the charity works in an emotionally challenging area, that some had used services and felt they …
Cottage magically comes to life!
11-10-18Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
A children’s book, launched last night, has been written to thrill and comfort children staying at the new Candlelighters Cottage, a home from home provision provided by the charity to enable families to be able to stay together when their child is an in-patient receiving treatment for cancer at Leeds Children’s Hospital. The book was …
Art work brings “Hope” to Cottage garden
08-10-18Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
A new art installation has been revealed in the garden at the Candlelighters Cottage for families staying at the home from home accommodation to enjoy. The cottage will enable families to stay together when their child is being treated at Leeds Children’s Hospital for cancer. The artwork is aptly titled “Hope”; made from steel the …

Your stories

Hull Collegiate School’s Carrie and her team of staff and pupils are taking on the Hull 10k!
22-03-19Your stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Meet Carrie, who’s taking on the Hull 10k this year with her puplis and staff from Hull Collegiate School! Why are you running for Candlelighters? I’m running with a team of staff and pupils in memory of Hope Rooms who was a pupil at Hull Collegiate School. Hope sadly lost her battle with cancer in 2016. …
Fisical Sport Coaching’s Year of Challenges!
15-02-19Your stories • Posted by Candlelighters Marketing
Fisical Sports Coaching work with schools and pre-schools throughout West Yorkshire to deliver sports coaching, as well as activities at their sports centre in Baildon. Company owners, Tom and James, are keen on raising money for local charities and have previously raised £521 for Sports Relief. This year they have decided to take their fundraising …
Venue Sports and Music Bar Raise £4915 for Candlelighters!
14-01-19Your stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Venue Sports and Music Bar Have Raised an Incredible total of £4915 through a coffee morning which they held in November. In November Venue Sports and Music Bar, located on Cavendish Street in Skipton, held a coffee morning to raise money for Candlelighters. Throughout the morning they had coffee, cakes and a raffle as well …
Kathy takes on The London Marathon!
14-12-18Your stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Kathy will be taking on the London Marathon in 2019 to raise money for Candlelighters!   Read her story below:     Why are you running for Candlelighters? I am running the marathon to raise money and awareness for Candlelighters an amazing charity who have made a difference to our lives over the last 18 …
Zara gets the chop in her Fund-Razor Challenge!
12-12-18Your stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Zara recently took on a ‘fund-razing’ challenge and had her long hair chopped off and donated to The Little Princess Trust whilst also raising money for Candlelighters! Read Zara’s story below!   Tell us more about what you did… I decided to take part and completed the ‘Fund-Razor’ challenge on the 1st December in the …