It has been a long-standing vision for Teens Unite to open the first retreat in England to provide short, residential breaks for teenagers and young adults who have experienced cancer.
Following the purchase of a property in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, this vision is now becoming a reality. Once open, the retreat will transform the non-medical support currently available to young cancer patients.
It will become a base for Teens Unite to upscale the activities and residential stays we currently provide so that more teenagers and young adults from across the UK, can benefit from our support, more often.
The need
Whilst 87% of teenagers and young adults are now surviving cancer for five years or more, medically overcoming cancer is just part of the struggle they face.
For teenagers and young adults, cancer has a detrimental impact on their key developmental years; affecting their mental and physical health, friendships and relationships, education and employment, and confidence and self-esteem. If unaddressed, these concerns can follow them into adulthood and consume the rest of their lives.
It is essential that teenagers and young adults have access to ongoing support, outside of medical care, as they adapt to life with cancer and navigate the years that follow. The new retreat will provide them with the opportunities and experiences they need to thrive in life, without cancer holding them back.
How it will be used
The retreat will comprise of activity space, communal areas, landscaped gardens, and short-term accommodation; making our support more accessible for teenagers and young adults who live further away. They will spend valuable time with others their age in a similar situation, and take part in a range of activities, which support them to learn new skills, find friendship, rebuild their confidence, and improve their mental and physical health.
We can't do it without you.
The premies requires essential renovation and adaptation before we can open the doors. At a time when we're experiencing a 21% increase in registrations, we need your support to reach our £3.5 million fundraising target to transform the existing property into a suitable space, to continue meeting this rise in demand.
To find out how you can get involved, and be kept up to date on our progress, please click here.
Alternatively, please contact us:
E: info@teensunite.org
T: 01992 440091
Detailed below are our events for Teens, Volunteers, Fundraising and Challenges.
Volunteering with Teens Unite has changed my personality and outlook on life. When I hear all the amazing things the teens say about Teens Unite, I can tell they mean every word.
Teens Unite isn't just a charity to me, it was the beginning of restarting my life.
When Elliot started receiving the support of Teens Unite, I could see a change in him straightaway. His outlook on life was becoming positive again and I gained strength from seeing my little boy accepting what had happened and starting to move forward.
I needed help and that's where Teens Unite came in. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and the reason I met Teens Unite was to save my life.
With Teens Unite, I finally realised that I could climb out of this massive hole that I had been digging because I wasn't alone anymore.
If it wasn't for Teens Unite, I wouldn't be where I am now. They have been really supportive and given me the strength to push myself and not give up.
