Taking it Personally: Young Lives vs Cancer continues its push for equity

Every child and young person struck by cancer should have the same access to specialised support, a children’s cancer charity claims in its latest report.

Taking it Personally, the impact report for Young Lives vs Cancer, focuses on the charity’s key strategic aim to promote equity of access for young cancer patients and their families.

The charity’s specialised support services, which include social workers, accommodation at Homes from Home across the UK and financial grants, were accessed by 6,100 young cancer patients in the last year.

Realising that something needed to change in order to increase the number of people who could access its services, the charity reshaped its social work model, developing a central support team that works with individuals and assesses their needs and prioritise support.

It also launched its first Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging strategy in the last year, setting out its ambition to focus on equity both internally for the organisation, and externally for those it supports.

As the cost of living crisis starts to bite deeper, and inequality continues to widen, the importance of equity of access becomes ever-more apparent.

Rachel Kirby-Rider, Chief Executive of Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “Currently we know that every young person affected by cancer doesn’t have equitable access to vital support and that needs to change. No two young cancer patients will have the same experience and needs, and it’s important every one of them is able to receive the tailored support best suited to them.

“Over the last year, we’ve transformed ourselves so we can try to achieve equity of access to our support services. With the cost of living crisis we’re seeing times are getting tougher right across the UK. Our Winter Emergency Fund was able to make a real difference for families who were really struggling with the costs of cancer, and I am immensely proud of the steps we are taking to reach more people and maximise our impact on those we do reach.

“We know we have to do more, and are dedicated to be part of changing the systems around young cancer patients, so that they can all have equal access to specialised treatment and support that looks past their diagnosis.”

The charity’s Impact Report, along with its Annual Report, can be read in full here