Charity Tuesday: Teens Unite

I aim to make Charity Tuesdays a recurring feature on my blog, to expose some of the charities I have come into contact with and what they do, to raise awareness and support. The first charity I have chosen to feature is Teens Unite Fighting Cancer.

Who They Are

Teens Unite Fighting Cancer is a London-based charity which was founded in 2007 to provide ongoing support for teens and young people who are facing cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

What They Do 

Much of Teens Unite's work is dedicated to providing social experiences for 13-24 year-olds with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, to help combat feelings of isolation and to facilitate invaluable peer support. They often run events, activities and workshops to benefit these young people. These include fun days out, such as sports matches, concerts, pizza making and go-karting; beauty and pampering workshops to help rebuild lost confidence; and more formal experiences to help teens gain practical skills for their lives ahead.

They also arrange social events for the parents and guardians of these young people, which can be hugely beneficial for them, too.

Teens Unite have a Respite Home in Broxbourne, where many of their activities and workshops are held, and where teens are welcome to stay overnight for a relaxing break from the harrowing medical world.

How They've Helped

"Team Bristol" at Teens Unite formal meal
2014

I was introduced to Teens Unite by my social worker who used to work in London. She encouraged a group of us who were treated in Bristol to take part in an Activity Stay at Mill Hill. This was a really exciting week, involving Go Ape, an art workshop, a formal dinner and a sports workshop hosted by Olympic athletes. There were loads of other young people there from around the country, so it was really good to talk to them and share stories and experiences, as well as having the chance to form a close bond with the group we travelled from Bristol with. 

Due to our circumstances, many of us (including myself) wouldn't have been able to travel to go on a summer holiday like the rest of our peers, however this opportunity gave us something to look forward to, and was a refreshing break from the norm. Because many of us are also not at work or university, you'd be surprised how rare it is for people like myself to be able to hang around with people in the same age group - to socialise and feel like a normal young person - so opportunities like these are amazing. 

Because we had such a great time, we returned for the Activity Stay the following year, making some more great memories. We also travelled up for the 2014 Christmas party, which involved a lot of bowling and pizza, as well as some debatable pictures in the photo booth... 

Why You Should Support Them

Teens Unite are a great charity with so much passion and commitment to their cause, which is demonstrated by even the CEOs engaging with the teens and working on the front line to ensure that the charity's endeavours are being accomplished to the full, something which is rare to see, but remarkably humbling, This makes the teens feel valued, and creates a warm and homely atmosphere, as well as giving the charity some real character. 

To say the least, Teens Unite is rapidly developing, with much potential. During the short time since its establishment, the charity has grown incredibly, and is sure to help yet more young people and to get even bigger and better with time and the support of others. 

Last year, I had the pleasure of travelling to Ireland with Teens Unite, to visit Daisy Lodge, a luxury, purpose-built respite home for young people with cancer and their carers. Teens Unite have since launched a campaign, with the hope of creating a similar home in England, for its teens to be able to enjoy for short breaks away. 

A group of us at Daisy Lodge in Ireland - 2015

Teens Unite Fighting Cancer is registered charity number 1118361, you can find out more about them, what they do, and how you can get involved with them here. 

Pete