Need support for young family members?
We can help.
Need support for young family members?
We can help.
Hope is a UK charity founded in 2009, that provides support to young people when a family member is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
We support young people aged 5-25, from the moment of diagnosis for however long we are needed.
Why Hope?
Young people in a family health crisis can find the uncertainty of their family member’s life-threatening illness particularly distressing. They can find it difficult to share worries with family or friends – fearing they will be a burden to them and even add to the problem – so can become isolated, marginalised, frightened and angry. The issues they face can lead to disengagement with education, family members and peers and, in some cases, unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Support from Hope helps young people to re-engage with their education, their family and their friends – even making new friends who genuinely understand. Early intervention and continual support can prevent long-term mental health issues which otherwise could last into adulthood.
How we help
Nationally, we provide two services. The first is a safe, monitored Facebook group to meet and share with peers in similar situations. Secondly is our secure online one-to-one support sessions with Hope’s qualified and experienced professionals, using Microsoft Teams for video, voice or text and also email or Facebook.
Finally, however young people access our support, we provide active links with other local services, signposting on where necessary to provide the best all-round support for each young person.
Local services available
In parts of Herefordshire , we also offer three face-to-face services; youth sessions, ‘Hope on the Road’ activities, and one-to-one support. These sessions offer a chance to explore targeted topics, including anger management, coping strategies, living with uncertainty and more.
For young people, by young people
Hope is no ordinary charity, we’re unique. We’re not just a charity for young people, we’re a charity of young people. Take a look here to find out how the young volunteers in Hope’s Y-Team and Hope’s A-Team work to drive the service forwards.
Referring somebody to Hope
Our support is available across the UK right from the moment of diagnosis and for however long we’re needed, whatever the outcome for the patient. Referring young people to Hope means you can take a major concern off the family’s shoulders, knowing that during this difficult time someone is offering appropriate support to their young family members.
Whether you’re a parent, carer, other family member or are working with the family such as a teacher, GP or other professional, it’s quick and easy to refer a young person to Hope. Simply fill in this online form here.
