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

Lady Ingilby visits Candlelighters
30-06-16Our stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
We were honoured this week to welcome our Patron, Lady Emma Ingilby, to Candlelighters. Lady Ingilby met patients, parents, play leaders, nursing staff and doctors on her tour of the hospital. She was able to talk to families about their experiences and the difference that Candlelighters makes for them. On arrival at the Children’s Oncology Clinic, …
Last chance to nominate your children’s cancer heroes
29-06-16Our stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
This September Candlelighters is holding its very first Awards ceremony recognising the people of Yorkshire in their support of Candlelighters. The Awards, in association with Vista, are in the last week of welcoming award nominations as the panel will begin deliberations from Monday 4th July. The event, taking place on September 9th is already well …
Tangle Teezer Supports Hair@TheSquare Project
24-06-16Our stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
This month saw the company Tangle Teezer make an incredible donation of 150 Tangle Teezers to Candlelighters, to help support childhood cancer patients in Yorkshire. Explaining how this donation will help patients moving forward, Candlelighters Project Support Worker Vicky says: “As part of our ongoing support we are always looking for new ways in which …
La Vie En Rose Ball a Huge Success
16-06-16Our stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
THe Ilkley Candlelighters’ May Ball was a tremendous success and raised over £36,000 to help children and teenagers and their families, throughout Yorkshire. Chairman of Ilkley Candlelighters, Alison Clay, said, “We would like to thank everyone most sincerely for your support and contribution. Without the generosity of our sponsors, advertisers, prize donors and those who …
Riproaring Ripley Record!
15-06-16Our stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
Harrogate Candlelighters stand at The Ripley Castle Summer Fair was a great success, raising a staggering £3,659 and smashing the previous record of £2,100. The sun shone and brought a great atmosphere to the bustling event, and everyone who visited the Candlelighters stand was extremely generous and supportive, and keen to help raise money for local …
Candlelighters Yorkshire 3 Peaks
14-06-16Our stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
The early hours of Saturday 28th May saw Candlelighters supporters descend on Horton in Ribblesdale to take on the third Candlelighters Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge! Over 60 walkers set off to cover the 24 miles and 5200 ft ascent route across the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, all to raise money and awareness for childhood …
Twinvision
10-06-16Our stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
Last summer we ran an amazing project called ‘Remember with Pride’ with a animation company called Twinvision. They worked with bereaved siblings to create a Wallace and Gromit style animation film based on a cherished memory that they had of their brother or sister. The kids worked tirelessly on their animation from start to finish, …

Your stories

Green-fingered students raise funds for Candlelighters
15-06-16Your stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
Students at Craven College have raised over £220 to support families in Yorkshire affected by childhood cancer! The group of 17 students studying Level 1 Land Based Studies at Craven College fundraised for Candlelighters at a plant sale they organised in May. The event took place at The Centre for Horticulture, where students sold a …
Young Fundraiser Makes a Splash for Candlelighters
14-06-16Your stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
When Jake Hargrave suddenly lost all of his hair last year, he made it his mission to fundraise for a children’s cancer charity. Aged 15, Jake lost all of his hair in 2015 as the result of an auto immune disorder. Whilst this knocked his confidence, Jake decided to look at the positives of his …
The American inspiration for Chemo Duck visits the LGI
09-06-16Your stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
Written by Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust L31 welcomed a very special visitor yesterday! Chemo Duck visited the ward with Gabe Sipos, the inspiration behind the Chemo Duck programme, who had flown over from America to see how the idea has taken off at the Leeds Children’s Hospital. Chemo Ducks are a fun, interactive way of …