Teenage Cancer Trust

Teenage Cancer Trust offers unique care and support, designed for and with young people. They fund specialised nurses, youth workers and hospital units in the NHS, so young people have dedicated staff and facilities to support them throughout treatment.

TCT run events for young people with cancer to help them regain independence and meet other young people going through something similar.

And they provide easy-to-understand information about every aspect of living with cancer as a young person.

There has been a Teenage Cancer Trust Unit for 13 to 16 year olds at RHC since 2015. 

At RHC the Teenage Cancer Trust funds:

• A Youth Support Coordinator
• Our TCT Lounge with recreational facilities, wifi and laptops
• All bedrooms equipped with soft furnishings, bespoke furniture, TV, DVD and gaming facilities

TCT also funds a unit at the Beatson for 16-24 year olds.

Hi, my name is Rónán Kelly and I am the Teenage Cancer Trust Youth Support Coordinator here at the Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow. My role involves supporting young people throughout their cancer journey in a non-medical way.

Some of the ways I can help include:

• When you’re first diagnosed and need someone to talk you through the support that’s available to you 
• You’re dealing with hair loss or changes to how you look 
• You have a question about absolutely anything – relationships, fertility, even those questions you wouldn’t ask anyone else 
• You’re having an especially tough day and just need someone to listen 
• You need someone to refer you for extra support e.g. with your mental health 

I also organise opportunities for you to meet other young people going through a similar experience which has been shown to help young people through their cancer journey. Some of the activities include pizza lunches, craft sessions, music sessions, movie nights or gaming. I also run trips and outings out with the hospital for when you’re feeling better. We’ve been on some really cool trips over the years, most of which have been ideas of the young people, so feel free to share your ideas with us.  

This is very much a young person led service, which I hope will make your cancer journey that little bit easier, and please feel free to contact me with any queries you may have.