#staying united through COVID-19

This month, we have been working closely with a Charity Partner to support a small group of young people helping them to discover the personal strengths that their cancer has uncovered – supporting them, developing belief in their potential, inspiring them, building their confidence, and motivating them to make positive changes for their future beyond Cancer.

Over the last month, the young people have connected with each other over our Digital Delivery Platform, and then had a one-to-one with a life coach to explore their strengths and how their experiences have shaped them. In the second Digital Session, they came together with the other beneficiaries, and learned how to use to their strengths and experiences when applying for jobs. They have worked with an HR Consultant who is helping them with all those difficult questions they may need to answer. In the third digital session, they learned the art of presentation and were given opportunities to practice these skills in a safe environment – rebuilding their confidence to attend the final digital session and present to peers their story, explain their strengths and how those strengths guide them.

When Covid-19 restrictions are lifted and the young people are confident to use public transport again, they will then come together for face-to-face sessions with business mentors, designers, marketeers & industry representatives to work collaboratively to develop a new t-shirt design to go into production and be sold to raise awareness & funds for the Charity.

Not only do young people fighting cancer experience worry about the impact their diagnosis will have on their future employment, but also suffer a significant impact on their mental health –depression, anxiety, loneliness, loss of confidence and self-esteem. These activities, as well as teaching essential “business” skills to ready the young people for their next steps, connect them with others who genuinely know what it is like to face cancer in your teenage and young adult years, help them see that they’re not alone, support the development of peer-to-peer networks that last long beyond the activity. They learn and develop skills such as teamwork, public speaking, conflict resolution, time management, active listening, problem solving & communication skills. They rebuild their confidence and motivation. And, thanks to your support, have been helped to discover the strengths that Cancer uncovered.

87% of young people diagnosed with cancer have lost contact with their peers, and 83% experience loneliness

Loneliness affects people of all ages.  Younger adults aged 16-24 years are at particular risk of feeling lonely more often.  This is due to both psychological developments, and the many transitions that young people generally experience, add to that a cancer diagnosis…….

Loneliness is not just about a decline in contact or a change in relationships, it’s about a person’s identity and sense of belonging, which is why our online activities aimed at keeping our beneficiaries connected are so important. In addition to combatting loneliness, there are a whole host of other benefits to the young people joining our sessions.

Battling cancer takes both a very physical and emotional toll – it’s a real struggle to even accept your diagnosis.  “Art” is a powerful expression of emotions and can relieve a lot of stress, anger and sadness.  In our weekly creative activities, “crafternoons”, beneficiaries work using the creative process to express and communicate how they feel.  The creative process is recognised to help them cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences – it enhances their cognitive abilities, and again provides them with a real sense of achievement, improving their self-confidence and self-esteem.

Since our last report, the young people have been enjoying a series of workshops including Diamond Painting which helps tune their fine motor skills, improve their cognitive function and aids their concentration; photography and videography sessions, which as well as helping them to create memories are proven to relive anxiety, boost their confidence and help them to express themselves; macrame sessions where the pulling and working of the cords helps to strengthen their hands, improves their motor skills and enhances brain productivity; they have taken part in mindfulness colouring sessions which reduce anxiety, tension and stress, allows them to focus on one thing for a while – not their illness or their treatment.

The digital sessions remain essential in developing and maintaining strong and meaningful social connections for young people going through Cancer and its treatment.  Friendship and support are a fundamental part of our wellbeing, and we all need connections that matter.

From everyone at Teens Unite, thank you for helping us to reach-understand-support more of the seven young people aged 13-24 who, every day in the UK, hear the words “you have cancer”.