When a young person is diagnosed with cancer, it impacts the whole family – changes in roles and responsibilities, impacts on finances, and worries about the future all take their toll. For siblings, there is a negative impact on their feelings of security, they face uncertainty, fear, and anxiety – their life is destabilised. At Teens Unite, we recognise this and host regular events for siblings and families.
Last month, we hosted a Family Day at the Paradise Wildlife Park – one of Hertfordshire’s top attractions, and a very generous supporter of Teens Unite. The young people and their families got to spend valuable time together, make happy memories and meet other families in a similar situation, whose lives had also been impacted by cancer. Meeting others who have experienced similar situations in their life can really help at a difficult time, both for those going through treatment and those who have been through it.
The families were able to explore all that Paradise Wildlife Park has to offer – they got up close and personal with the Big Cats – white lions, tigers, and snow leopards; met zebras, reindeer, tapirs, and camels; laughed at the antics of the armadillo and the meerkats, wondered whether the two-toed sloth was ever going to wake up and fell in love with the park’s favourite red Panda, Tilly. They faced their fears as they got close to crocodiles, snakes, lizards and spiders; And, took a step back in time to meet cunning velociraptors, terrifying Spinosaurus and the unpronounceable Pachycephalosaurus at the most spectacular animatronic dinosaur attraction.
The families all then headed to Teens Unite’s offices for an Afternoon Tea with a difference. Our home is The Old Police Station, so the families were treated to a unique experience, luxury afternoon tea in a Police Cell!
Creating special memories can be very important for the families of the young people we support. And this day was full of opportunity to do just that. So, to the funders who very generously supported this day, from us, the young people and their families, a very special and very big Thank You.
