'I feel so refreshed coming on this trip,' says young cancer survivor
A young cancer survivor from North West London, who is living through and beyond cancer, feels proud of himself and the confidence that he has gained thanks to the new partnership between the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and Flynne’s Barn.
There are a few final spaces available for young people from across London to join the charity this summer.
Robert Wood, 26, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2014. Ten years later, he combined ‘relaxation, new experiences and physical exercise’ as he joined the charity on an outdoor adventure, which featured kayaking, yoga, arts and crafts and alpaca walks.
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust takes young people aged 8-24 on sailing and outdoor adventures to inspire them to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer.
Flynne’s Barn in the heart of the Lake District provides a homely and relaxed place for young people living with cancer to enjoy a variety of creative and outward-bound activities. The aim is to connect with others, have fun and help each other along a challenging road – and all in the beauty of the mountains!
Robert said: “I feel so refreshed coming on this trip. I’ve always loved social engagement and talking to other people. It’s lovely to meet a new group of faces and have a wonderful time with them.
“I have an entitlement to be here. That is something that I personally feel went away when the cancer situation popped up then I was put back into mainstream education, where I struggled a little bit and was side-lined because there was no proper support.
“Now I feel more confident in myself. Not necessarily self-confidence but feeling proud of myself and not ashamed or inadequate where I feel like I should sit out.”
Cancer can have a big impact on a young person’s mental wellbeing beyond treatment, and what happens afterwards can often be as difficult as treatment itself - if not even more so. This is not understood or talked about as much as it should be, leading young people to feel like they are the only one finding life after cancer just as hard.
Once their treatment has finished, they are often left with fewer friends and struggle with relationships, their education suffers, they miss out on work experience, and they develop body image issues. Late effects of being diagnosed young include infertility, extreme fatigue, osteoporosis, thyroid problems, and hearing or vision loss.
Adjusting to this ‘new normal’ can be extremely difficult, which is why when treatment ends, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust’s work begins.
Through the charity’s sailing and outdoor adventures, young people gain a new sense of purpose and self-worth, rediscover their independence, and feel optimistic about what comes next in life. They realise what they are capable of, stop feeling like ‘the only one’, and their mental wellbeing improves.
They start to re-establish their purpose and place in the world and believe in a brighter future.
Reflecting on his experience with the charity and adventure at Flynne’s Barn, Robert added: “For me, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has become synonymous with a positive opportunity that’s going to be beneficial health wise, social wise, mental health wise and relaxation wise as well.
“Since I’d done the sailing trip, this one seemed a lot more relaxing and outdoor walking, which appealed to me. What I’ve found great is that the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust always offer a brilliant range in trips from going on a sailing expedition around Cowes in the Isle of Wight to coming here [Flynne’s Barn] and walking through the amazing scenery and chatting to alpacas.”
Founder and Patron of the charity, Dame Ellen MacArthur, said: “We see it time and time again. Young people arrive anxious and isolated. But they leave feeling part of something, accepted, independent, and optimistic.
“We are only able to support as many young people as we do thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Because of them, thousands of young lives have been transformed after cancer through life-changing sailing and outdoor activity adventures.
“This summer we will welcome hundreds of young people from right across the UK who need post-treatment support. We will be there for them and they will believe in a brighter future.”
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is there for anyone looking for support, no matter how long off treatment they are. Visit ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org or follow @emctrust on social media.