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

An Extra-Special June Company of the Month Feature!
16-07-21Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
We have a slightly different Company of the Month feature for June… we’d like to take this opportunity to give massive thanks to all the businesses who joined in with Pink It Up this year! After a particularly difficult year for our flagship campaign last year and recently receiving our worst two months of income …
Step It Up for Pink It Up
21-06-21Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Teams of NHS staff from the paediatric oncology wards at Leeds Children’s Hospital are taking on a 900k-step walking challenge, to raise funds for Candlelighters, a children’s cancer charity supporting families across Yorkshire and at the hospital. Staff decided to undertake the challenge as part of Candlelighters’ Pink It Up week from 28th June to …
Company of the Month… The Property Buying Company!
15-06-21Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
We are delighted to announce The Property Buying Company as our Company of the Month for May! The Property Buying Company began supporting Candlelighters in March 2020, with Chief Operating Officer, David Slater, deciding to undertake a mammoth fundraising challenge in aid of Candlelighters and Mind. Beginning on 10th March, David challenged himself to run …
PINK Up Your Window Competition!
11-06-21Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
This year PINK IT UP takes place from the 28th June – 5th July AND our BEST PINK Window Competition is back!! Calling all shop windows – florists, hairdressers, independent shops, cafes, schools, businesses and more! Do you have a shop, school or office window that you would like to decorate to support Candlelighters throughout …

Your stories

Supporter Spotlight: Theo’s Coast to Coast Cycle
12-08-21Your stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
We’d like to say a ginormous thank you to 12-year-old Theo for his Coast to Coast cycle challenge!   Fabulous Theo decided to take on the challenge of cycling a whopping 140 miles coast to coast, from Whitehaven to Tynemouth, raising over £2,000 for Candlelighters in the process. Theo was inspired to fundraise because of …
In Our Shoes – A Book in Memory of Jess
16-07-21Your stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
Today we’d like to share the story of Jill Weaver and her daughter Jess. Recently Jill published her first book of poetry, inspired by Jess. Below, Jill explains a little about their story. ‘Jess was an eight year old little girl who loved her family, friends and being mischievous! She was spirited, kind and loved making …
Super Ted’s Miles
18-06-21Your stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
Today we’d like to share with you the story of Ted Thomas – or ‘SuperTed’ as he’s affectionately known by many – and his family, comprising dad Andrew, mum Amanda, and big sister Elsie, from Driffield, East Yorkshire. Ted was born in April 2020 to a doting family, and despite some initial difficulty breathing and …
Supporter Spotlight – Jerome
10-06-21Your stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
We’d like to say a big big thank you to supporter Jerome who, on Saturday 29th May 2021, along with his friends Tom and Ant, completed a mammoth 85 mile bike ride from Leeds Children’s Hospital to Blackpool. Jerome said, ‘At just a four months old, my two godsons Emre and Elijah were sadly diagnosed …
Supporter Spotlight – Team Eleanor
08-06-21Your stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
We’d like to say a huge thank you to the incredible Eleanor and her mum, Emily. In summer 2020, ten year old Eleanor was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia and paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria, two very rare haematological disorders, requiring a bone marrow transplant. Eleanor and her mum are originally from Cambridge, but Eleanor received her bone …
Supporter Spotlight – Junior Team George
23-05-21Your stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
Today we’d like to say a massive thank you and good luck to the members of Junior Team George who will be scaling the famous Penyghent of the Yorkshire Dales.   The group of children aged 8-15 will take on the 11km scramble today in aid of Candlelighters and as part of the wider Team …