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

Research centre launched to tackle life-threatening side-effects of childhood cancer treatments
09-11-23Our stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
Across the UK, 2,418 children and teenagers are diagnosed with cancer each year, and of all children who unfortunately pass away, one in three die not because of cancer but because of the side effects of treatment.  Although treatments are much more effective now, for children and young people, they are harsh and have terrible …
Company of the month…CHN Financial & Victoria Court Private Clients!
25-10-23Our stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
We are so pleased to announce that our latest Company of the Month is CHN Financial & Victoria Court Private Clients! CHN Financial & Victoria Court Private Clients chose Candlelighters as their Charity of the Year in November 2021 and started their fundraising early 2022. We are incredibly grateful that they chose to continue supporting …
Brandon’s Story
22-10-23Our stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
Brandon from Cottingham had never needed to be in hospital, until early 2022. What was a suspected viral infection turned out to be acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Brandon’s mum Samantha tells us their story. Samantha – “We’re a family of five – myself, my husband Chris, Brandon, Elliot and our dog Ringo. We’ve all always …
Company of the month…FOD Mobility!
01-08-23Our stories • Posted by Candlelighters Marketing
We are so pleased to announce that our latest Company of the Month is FOD Mobility! FOD Mobility Group voted for Candlelighters to be their Charity of the Year at the start of the year and since then, we have been so grateful for the excellent ways they’ve been involved in fundraising. Thanks to their …
Company of the month…Caddick Group!
27-07-23Our stories • Posted by Candlelighters Marketing
We are so pleased to announce that our latest Company of the Month is Caddick Group! Caddick have been supporting our families since 2018, and in that time have raised over £100,000! This phenomenal amount has been raised through a huge variety of events, including at their annual ‘Moment In Time’ ball, a legendary event …
Stacy’s story
22-07-23Our stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
Stacy Procter lives in Leeds and, since 2017, has volunteered an incredible 135 hours of her time and raised over £22k for Candlelighters. In June 2023, she was shortlisted for Volunteer of the Year at the Yorkshire Choice Awards. Stacy tells us her story. Stacy – “I started volunteering for Candlelighters by helping at family …
Being there for families at the hospital
13-07-23Our stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
When a child diagnosed with cancer is admitted to hospital, it can be an incredibly tough time for them and their whole family. Because of the generosity of supporters like you, our Family Support Team are at the hospital six days a week to make this difficult time a little easier for families. They work …
Company of the month…Quality Bearings Online!
22-06-23Our stories • Posted by Candlelighters Marketing
We are so pleased to announce that our latest Company of the Month is Quality Bearings Online! Quality Bearings Online began supporting us 2022, the same year they celebrated their ten-year anniversary. They kicked off their fundraising efforts with a member of their staff participating in Tough Mudder. Harry Shelborn completed the enduring mud run …

Your stories

Local student raises over £2,500 in brave swimming challenge for Candlelighters!
30-10-23Your stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
Rebecca Haestier, Ilkley Grammar student wanted to help raised funds for Candlelighters by swimming 20 lengths with two broken legs which are in cages.  Courageous student Rebecca Haestier who is 14 years old, decided she would like to raise money in an epic swimming challenge to give back to Candlelighters to help children and their …
Halifax Family and friends to take on Manchester Half Marathon for 2-year-old Gracie-Mae!
02-08-23Your stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
A 31-strong team of family and friends will complete the race in support of Gracie-Mae McHugh and Candlelighters.  The lives of Gracie-Mae and her family were turned upside down in February when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, aged just 2. Parents Helen and Danny, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, first took Gracie to hospital …