Why we’re launching the Young Lives Innovation Lab

Every day in the UK, 12 families are told their child has cancer.

Medical treatment has come a long way – but cancer still affects every part of a young person’s life: their education, mental health, finances, friendships, and future. These broader impacts remain under-recognised, underfunded, and under-supported.

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we’ve spent over 70 years providing that critical, wraparound support. But we know that our direct services alone aren’t enough. The system is stretched. Change is too slow. And innovation, where it’s needed most, often struggles to take root.

That’s why we’re launching the Young Lives Innovation Lab – as part of a wider, joined-up effort to drive systemic change across the cancer care ecosystem.

A Shared Vision for Impact

The Innovation Lab is grounded in the North Star Vision – a sector-wide commitment we’ve developed with four other leading childhood cancer charities to fundamentally improve how children and young people experience cancer care in the UK.

“Every child and young person facing cancer receives care that’s tailored to them. They feel informed and in control… empowered every step of the way. There are no gaps in support and no barriers to access.”

We began this work with an in-depth, sector-wide piece of research – the first of its kind in children and young people’s cancer care.

Together with our charity partners, we pooled data, frontline insights, and lived experience from young people, their families and practitioners. Through this, we created a new shared evidence base: Dartington’s State of the System report, to understand where the current system is falling short, and where innovation could drive the greatest impact.

From this process, we identified five priority areas that now guide our work:

• Mental Wellbeing
• Financial Hardship
• Education & Employment
• Personalised Care Pathways
• Experience of Diagnosis

Each of these areas reflects a complex, systemic challenge that no single organisation can fix alone. Tackling them requires bold thinking, new models of partnership, and a joined-up approach across the whole ecosystem.

These five areas will now form the foundation of our investment thesis – directing where we focus our time, resources and partnerships to generate the greatest impact for young people with cancer.

Why Charities Have a Critical Role to Play

Innovation in health and care doesn’t just come from the NHS or the private sector. Charities have a unique and vital role to play.

We are trusted by communities, embedded in care pathways, and able to bridge the gap between lived experience and service delivery.

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we work with 7,000+ families a year, alongside the NHS, policymakers and local networks. We have decades of insight, a UK-wide frontline team, and a deep understanding of what truly supports young people with cancer.

With the Innovation Lab, we’re using that position to help early-stage ventures overcome common barriers like:

• User testing with patients and families for co-creation and feedback
• Access to relevant, high-quality data
• Understanding of the psychosocial and practical realities of cancer
• Connecting to aligned funders and public sector decision-makers

We’re not just launching a programme – we’re building the conditions for innovation to thrive where it matters most.

Let’s Build What Comes Next

The Young Lives Innovation Lab exists to bring together startups, funders, researchers, clinicians, and charities to create real, scalable solutions for young people with cancer.

If you’re:

• A founder with a product that could change the game
• An investor who backs mission-driven ventures
• A charity looking to collaborate for systemic impact

We’d love to work with you to build a system where every young person gets the care they need, for as long as they need it.

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