FAQ's
Have questions about the support we provide to young people you work with?
As a social worker or medical professional supporting teenagers and young adults, you want to ensure they receive the best possible care during their cancer journey.
Here, you'll find answers to some common questions you may have before recommending Teens Unite.
If you don’t find the information you need or would like to discuss specific needs, please feel free to get in touch with us directly.
T: 01992 440 091
How do I know if a young person can access your support?
We’re here to support any young person who is currently aged 13-24, lives in the UK, and has been diagnosed with cancer at any time in their life
Do I need to make a referral?
No referral is necessary! We encourage TYA's to register themselves using our simple online form.
If they need assistance, you’re welcome to help them complete the process.
Just click here to access the registration form.
What happens if a young person is aged under 18?
The safety and wellbeing of the TYA's we support is our priority.
For those under 18 years of age, we require parental or guardian contact details during registration. They will serve as our primary contact throughout the welcome process.
While our residential stays are exclusively for individuals aged 18 and over, our activities are open to anyone aged
13-24, unless otherwise stated.
For young people aged 13-16, we require permission from their parent or guardian before attending our activities.
Does a TYA require permission from their medical team before attending the activities?
As long as a young person feels well enough to attend our activities, and they're not putting their health at risk by doing so, there's no need to obtain permission from their medical team before attending.
All we ask is that they are able to self-medicate or bring a parent or carer who usually helps them with this.
If they don't feel quite ready for our in-person events just yet, there's plenty of digital activities for them to get involved with!
Are the activities fully accessible?
Every effort is always made to ensure our activities and residential stays are as inclusive and accessible as possible. If would like to discuss any specific concerns or requirements for a young person, please reach out to a member of our team.
E: teens@teensunite.org
T: 01992 440 091
What happens if a young person requires a carer?
No problem at all - we just need to be made aware in advance so we can account for this in our numbers.
Is there a cost attached to your support?
No! It’s all on us. Our support is free of charge - there's no cost for our activities, stays, programmes or events.
What happens about travel arrangements?
Young people attending our stays and activities are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from the venue. However, we’re always here to assist with planning and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
We believe travel costs should never be a barrier to accessing our support. If you feel a young person would benefit from subsidised travel, please don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss this.
T: 01992 440 091
How can I reassure a TYA if they're feeling nervous about attending an activity?
We know it can feel daunting trying something new, and meeting different people. For their first activity, they are welcome to bring a friend or family member with them so they feel more comfortable.
We’re also happy to meet them before arriving at the venue, so they're not turning up alone.
But trust us, everyone's in the same boat and they’ll make friends in no time!
Who will be there?
At least one staff member from the Teens Unite TYA team will always be at our activities and events, along with other, qualified members of staff from Teens Unite, depending on the size and requirements of the group.
You can expect there to be 10-15 teenagers and young adults at each activity. At our residential stays, there’s normally between 20 - 25 young people.
Is there a limit to how many activities a TYA can attend?
There’s no limit! The more activities they attend, the more they will benefit from meeting others, and taking part in different experiences. If an activity is oversubscribed, the TYA team will create a waiting list.
Our support is available for as long as they need it.
What if a TYA doesn't want to talk about cancer?
There's never any pressure to talk about cancer if they don't want to - and it's never the focus of our activities.
If they want to share their experiences with others, Teens Unite is a safe and supportive space for them to do so, but there's not an expectation - we just want them to feel comfortable.
What can a TYA expect from the activities?
Our activities are informal, friendly and fun. They're all about bringing teenagers and young adults with a shared experience of cancer together, so they don't have to face it alone.
We usually kick things off with a light-hearted icebreaker to help everyone get to know each other. After diving into the main activity, we tend to wrap things up with a meal or refreshments, creating the perfect opportunity to chat some more!
Is there support available for the rest of the family?
Yes! We offer support to parents and siblings, too. From special digital and in-person events throughout the year, to online forums where they can connect with others in a similar situation.
You can find out more about the family support available, here.
Keep up to date!
Sign up to our monthly digital newsletter for parents, so we can keep you up to date on our latest news, events and the support available for you and your family.
That is what’s so different and wonderful about Teens Unite, you don’t only meet people, you create friendships that last. That girl with the brain tumour ends up becoming your new best friend.
Azreen, diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, aged 19