We're Here To Help
Parents and caregivers tell us they are anxious about telling their children about their incurable cancer for many reasons. They may be worried about the news disrupting their education or relationships. Most of all, they want to protect our children from worry, sadness and loss for as long as possible.
However, children and young people tell us it is important for them to know about their parents’ health and what is going to happen in the future. They want to be included in discussions and decisions sometimes too. Research backs this up, telling us that when children and young people are prepared for the loss of a parent or caregiver their resilience is increased and they feel less isolated.
We know how hard these conversations can be, it might be one of the hardest conversations you will ever have. Our Family Support Service offers free guidance and support on how to prepare your children, when you have been diagnosed with a cancer that can’t be cured and time is limited.
Wherever you are in the UK, if your youngest child is under 25, we are here for you.
The Ruth Strauss Family Support Service
- We offer one to one virtual appointments with parents and care givers to help start, and continue, open and honest conversations with their children about their condition.
- Our support is tailored as each family has different needs and would approach similar situations very differently.
- Our experienced practitioners will consider your child’s age, developmental stage, family setup and, and most importantly, how you are all currently coping as a family, living with an incurable diagnosis.
- Our team will provide emotional support, guidance and resources to parents and primary care givers to help them through this difficult time.
- You can order free resources to support your family here.
- We facilitate peer support groups for teenagers, offering them the opportunity to meet with other teens who are also facing the death of a parent to cancer.
- We run peer support groups for parents/co-parents, whose partner has incurable cancer, which gives them the opportunity to talk to someone who is in a similar situation.
REFERRAL
This form is to be completed by a parent or caregiver seeking support, or a professional where consent has been received.
Once submitted we will be in touch by email within 5 working days. If you have difficulty completing the webform or if your situation is urgent, please email familysupport@ruthstraussfoundation.com and we will do our best to contact you as soon as possible.
All the information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and only used to contact you in connection with your enquiry. See our Family Support Privacy Policy.
If you have any difficulty completing this form, please contact familysupport@ruthstraussfoundation.com.
