A "vital" new service to be launched down the road

A “vital” new service is being brought to Newtown to help children cope with the impact of having a family member living with cancer, amid growing concern that too many young people are being left without adequate support.

Lingen Davies Cancer Support is launching a four-week wellbeing programme at 23 Social later this month, following rising calls from families in Mid Wales. The charity admits that children with parents, siblings, or grandparents undergoing treatment are “often overlooked” when it comes to support.

The move follows the success of a pilot in Shrewsbury and comes after the organisation invested £100,000 in adult wellbeing earlier this year. A further £10,000 has now been allocated specifically to help youngsters.

Naomi Atkin, Chief Executive of Lingen Davies, said:

“We know from our community that young people with a close family member or loved one going through cancer are struggling and often overlooked, so we’re tremendously proud that we’re able to expand our cancer support services to offer this vital provision.”

Two age groups will be catered for – children aged 6–11 and teenagers aged 11–18 – with sessions delivered both in person and online from  September 24. The programme will run on Wednesdays.

The sessions will be led by happiness coach Katie Millard of Oswestry-based Happiness For All CIC. She said they would not be “heavy therapy” but instead a chance to build resilience and peer support in a safe space.

“These sessions are essential to help those who have siblings, parents, grandparents, or close family members who are going through cancer,” she said. “It’s not counselling, it’s a lighter approach which involves some creative activities and opportunities to talk.”

The Newtown launch comes as local health charities highlight a rising need for services that go beyond patients themselves to support families and carers affected by cancer.

The Kids’ Wellbeing Group is not designed for those experiencing bereavement, with Macmillan and Winston’s Wish recommended for specialist help in those cases.

Anyone wanting to register interest can email katie@thehappinessclub.co.uk.

More information on the work of Lingen Davies Cancer Support is available at www.lingendavies.co.uk.