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

Out with the old, in with the new!
28-02-17Our stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
It was recently announced that a new UK £1 coin will enter circulation in March 2017! This will be a brand new 12 sided coin, meaning that our usual round £1 coins will stop being accepted by shops in October this year. As this change takes place, could you donate your old £1 coins to …
February sees first ever Dads’ Group at Candlelighters
17-02-17Our stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
The second weekend of February was an important one for Candlelighters’ Family Support team, as it marked the gathering of the first ever dads’ support group! Since the opening of The Square (our Family Support Centre, based in Leeds) in February 2015, we have organised regular activities for the groups, which have traditionally spanned from …
Candlelighters invest over £94K in Neuroblastoma research in 2017
16-02-17Our stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
  We are pleased to say that, in 2017, we have been able to fund a year of research into Neuroblastoma, a form of children’s cancer. The title of the research, which started on 1st January 2017, is: ‘Targeting the heterogeneity of Neuroblastoma cells in the bone marrow to improve outcomes.’ The majority of the £94,932 funding was donated …
Candlelighters’ support bus kicks off 2017 with weekly visits across Yorkshire
18-01-17Our stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
After a successful string of trial visits across Yorkshire in Autumn last year, the Candlelighters Bus will now regularly be visiting spots around the region- and we want to invite every family affected by childhood cancer (both currently, and in the past) to join us at our organised locations. Initially launched at the Candlelighters Awards …
Ilkley Candlelighters £38K total to go to research projects
21-12-16Our stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
The Candlelighters Award-winning fundraising group, Ilkley Candlelighters, have truly worked their socks off this year by raising an incredible £38,000. Candlelighters Charity Director, Jo Shepheard, met up with the committee last week to accept a cheque for the total amount. This funding will go towards ensuring the continuation and growth of key research projects into …
Who won the Candlelighters Christmas Raffle?
20-12-16Our stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
On Tuesday 20th December at midday, we were joined at The Square by ‘Captain America’ who valiantly drew the winning tickets, before kindly visiting children on the ward round the corner at Leeds General Infirmary. The winning tickets are as follows: 1.) £500 worth of Toyland Toyshop toys: TICKET NO. 101404 2.) A one-night stay …

Your stories

Enact Throw Support Behind Candlelighters
28-02-17Your stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
Enact, a specialist legal firm based in Leeds, have certainly grasped the mettle and started their fundraising with a bang. As well as organising a regular quiz after work they have many more fundraising plans. Their first quiz has raised £347 and a great time was had by all. There has been even more fundraising on …
Leeds fans are Marching on Together for Candlelighters
07-02-17Your stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Sean Etherington, and the team at his regular, the Hope Inn Pub, who are helping run a charity event partially in aid of Candlelighters. All the proceeds will be split equally between Candlelighters and Sean’s friend Mark, to support him while he is unable to work due to …
Be inspired by 10 year old Ella’s Year of Challenges
27-01-17Your stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
What an amazing total from Ella’s Year of Challenges! Since finishing treatment, Ella has immersed herself in various challenges to raise money for Candlelighters, and has raised an astounding £3864.54. And she didn’t do it alone! She was supported by brother Edward, mum Jane and dad Chris, and between them, they have embarked on various …
South East Asia Cycle Success for Supporter Jo
27-01-17Your stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
Back in September, we told you all about the story of Jo Richardson and the preparations she was making for her cycling challenge in South East Asia in November. Jo set herself the target of cycling from Vietnam to Cambodia (in intense heat and humidity!) to raise money for Candlelighters, after we supported her friend Eve …