Having donated £1,500 to Young Lives vs Cancer, Barratt Homes has helped to support 15 families with the financial pressures in the early stages of a young person’s cancer diagnosis.

The contribution from the Greater Manchester homebuilder will be used to help fund the charity’s registration grants to families, and the more general financial support they offer to families.

These £100 grants are paid out to families within a couple of weeks of their child’s cancer diagnosis, at a time when families will be travelling to and from hospital frequently, and help them to deal with the sudden and unexpected financial costs a cancer diagnosis brings. It helps to ensure that, at the worst time of their lives, money isn’t an initial worry.

Barratt Homes’ donation was made as part of the Barratt Developments Plc Charitable Foundation, which is designed to support national and local charities, large and small, across the UK to leave a legacy in the communities in which the housebuilder operates.

Joe Burns, Senior Fundraising and Engagement Manager at Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, life becomes full of fear. Working through teams of amazing social workers, at Young Lives vs Cancer, we help families find the strength to face everything cancer throws at them.

“Our social workers are there from the moment the doctor says ‘it’s cancer’, throughout treatment, and beyond. They provide emotional and mental health support to young people and families, as well as financial help to those that may be struggling with the extra costs, whilst seeing their incomes drop due to needing to take time out of work.”

Social workers can refer families to the charity’s Homes from Home – one of which is in Manchester – where they can stay in comfort and free of charge whilst their child is receiving treatment.
They also provide practical help, such as speaking to schools and employers, to landlords and any others that a family might not have the capacity to engage with whilst their child is in treatment. When treatment ends, they can help young people plan their life after cancer; and when the worst happens, they provide bereavement support to families.

Joe continued: “The past few years have impacted on charities like never before. More people than ever are needing to turn to charities for help, whilst at the same time charities have had to adapt and fight for their survival.

“At Young Lives vs Cancer, we wouldn’t have been able to provide the support we do for families in Greater Manchester if it hadn’t been for our incredible fundraisers and supporters who, even in the face of a pandemic and cost of living crisis, continued to run marathons, hold cake sales, and raise money in so many different ways.

“This support has been vital, and thank you to everyone who, like Barratt Homes, have provided this help.”

As a result of the pandemic, more support was delivered over the phone, and the charity’s volunteers worked with partner organisations on things like organising food deliveries for isolating families. A ‘central team’ of social workers, who provide advice through online chat and can support anyone, anywhere, in the country was also created, and is still in place now.

Young Lives vs Cancer, an operating name for CLIC Sargent Cancer Care for Children, found the pandemic a real challenge but it adapted to ensure it could continue to provide support to all who needed it.

Rhys Nicholson, Managing Director at Barratt Homes Manchester, said: “Most people know at least one person who’s been affected by cancer, and everyone involved with Young Lives vs Cancer works admirably to ensure young people and their families get the support they need at a really difficult time.

“It’s a privilege to be able to help the charity’s efforts, and it’s pleasing to know our contribution will support at least 15 families in the early stages of a diagnosis.”

For anyone who would like to find out more about the charity, and think they might know of a family or young person who could benefit from its services, visit the website at Young Lives vs Cancer.

To learn more about Barratt Homes and to apply for funding, visit the website at Barratt Legacy.