For Parents & Carers
The benefits of a holiday with the Youth Cancer Trust for your son or daughter:
• They will have a chance to have fun and relax.
• They will meet other young people who are experiencing similar challenges
• They will get a much needed boost of confidence
Whilst your son/daughter is away, you too can have time to give to other siblings or have a much needed break.
Feeling Nervous about letting your child go?
It is natural to feel anxious about letting your son/daughter go away. Perhaps it is the first time they have been away since their illness or maybe it’s the first time away from you ever.
You can always telephone the house anytime and speak to Jim, Brenda or Georgina. There are also phones in the house which the youngsters can use to call you whenever they want.
We have a full Child Protection Policy and Risk Assessment Policies which are available on request.
Medical Care
Each youngster coming on a YCT holiday must be selected by his or her doctor as being suitable to come. Most are between treatments and on medication which they are able to administer themselves - as they do when at home. Both of the managers at the YCT know of each patient's hospital contact
You will need to check with your doctor before your son/daughter comes on a holiday. We do not have nursing staff on the premises but help is at hand if needed at the local health centre in Westbourne. The Health Centre is less than a mile away and is always on call for us if needs be.
Our trustee Tamas Hickish is a consultant Oncologist at Bournemouth Hospital and is always available for any emergency or any concerns over the health of any of the youngsters.
There are lockers and fridges in each bedroom for medicines. Medication can be discussed with Jim or Brenda.
All your concerns will be talked through with either Jim or Brenda before the holiday.
If your son/daughter does not feel up to any of the activities they are welcome to watch the others - or stay at the house and watch TV, play on the play station, sit in the garden - or just chill out and listen to music in their bedroom. There is no pressure – they have freedom of choice.
What activities do they do?
Energy levels can be quite low for the youngsters who are ill. For the siblings it’s quite the opposite!
The youngsters are accompanied on all the activities by Jim, Brenda or Georgina. All the service providers are risk assessed and fully insured. They also have a good understanding of the needs of the youngsters who holiday with us.
During the day, activities can include swimming, horse riding, games, go-karting, days at the beach - at our lovely beach hut - and various other choices. Evening activities include a BBQ, a trip to the cinema and sometimes a special meal out.
Horse riding in the New Forest
When does it happen?
Anytime between February and November. The holidays are from Monday to Friday.
How do we get there?
We can pay for your travel expenses.
The travel options are :-
Car – Parents are very welcome to bring their children to Tracy Ann House.
Train – Salisbury, Bournemouth and Poole station are local. We can arrange a pick up from these stations.
Coach – There may be a group travelling from your area to Bournemouth – please contact us.
Plane – Bournemouth Airport and Southampton Airport is 1 hour away. There are domestic flights from all over UK to here.
To find out more information, to book a holiday or if you have any questions or concerns
• Check out the FAQ’s
• Please contact Jim, Brenda or Helen on 01202 763591.
• You could talk to a parent whose son/daughter has been to The Youth Cancer Trust.
• Email us
• Write to us at Tracy Ann House, 5 Studland Road, Alum Chine, Bournemouth, BH4 8HZ
We can send you a short DVD or video
Testimonies:
We have a long and positive relationship with Macmillan Cancer Relief
“Macmillan Cancer Relief has been proud to be associated with The Youth Cancer Trust since October 1998. Feedback from the young people who have spent time with Brenda and Jim is invariably positive and it is obvious that the service provided is extremely important in improving the quality of life for young people, at a particularly difficult time in their lives”
Fran Williams
Service Development Manager (Macmillan Cancer Relief)
We have a good relationship with Social Services around the UK.
“I am writing to commend the excellent work done by yourself, Brenda Clark and all the staff at The Youth Cancer Trust, for young people suffering with cancer.
As you know I work with children and young people who are suffering with bone cancer for which treatment comprises of 6-12 months of chemotherapy and major surgery. The side effects of this treatment are exceptionally debilitating and invariably render the recipient dependent on others for their care. Many of these young people are understandably frustrated by their loss of independence and become depressed, losing interest in every day life and their future. It is therefore, of great importance that they are given goals, objectives and something to look forward to at the end of their treatment and holidays are very frequently requested by their families.
The activities arranged at Tracy Ann House provide these young people with ‘breathing space’ away from everything associated with their treatment and give them the opportunity to re-assert their independence and some control over their lives.
Patients from this hospital who have sampled the delights at Tracy Ann House have returned refreshed, excited and perhaps most importantly, with renewed optimism for life and their future.
There is undoubtedly a great need for establishments such as Tracy Ann House and the enthusiasm, efficiency and hard work undertaken by all the staff involved in the organisation of the holiday, make it the success it is today.
Keep up the good work and thank you on behalf of all those young people who have benefited to date.”
Hilary Hollingsworth
Senior Social Worker
Birmingham City Council
“I just thought I would drop you a note before our next group of teenagers arrive on Monday.
They are all really excited and looking forward to their holiday with YCT.
Our previous group had a fabulous time and are all hoping they can return sometime in the future.
It has been really wonderful working with you all and I am looking forward to sending children from Scotland for many years”
Valerie Simpson
MD
Children with Cancer & Leukaemia Advice and Support for Parents (CCLASP)
"Many, many thanks. This holiday plan has really boosted Karl's morale"
Babs Sheridan
Palliative Care Social Worker
James Paget Hospital NHS Trust
"I am writing to thank you so much for the wonderful holiday you organised for my son and his friend. For the past four years Bilal has undegone treatment after treatment of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and stem cell transplant. I think it must be the first time in that four years he's had the opportunity to just 'get away' and enjoy himself as a teenager, without myself or his dad fussing and worrying about him. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and has not stopped talking about it. Yasin also, who has helped Bilal through some of his darkest moments, absolutely loved every minute of the week. Even the mid-week mini transplant Bilal had to have, was not going to stop the boys going back. I had trouble keeping up with them at Waterloo Station as they ran for their train!
The boys enjoyed every part of their holiday and the wonderful activities that were organised. I felt they were extremely well cared for (not easy with 8 teenage boys). They have both come back with renewed energy, new friends and most importantly new experiences to hold on to."
Theresa Hedoun (Bilal's mum)
