Selfcare Workshops for Young People with Cancer

For many of the young people, the beauty workshop was their first experience of Teens Unite and their first opportunity to meet others their age fighting cancer.  It was an opportunity to share their thughts, feelings, hopes, fears and experinces in a way they cannot with anyone else.  This has led to many lifelong friendships being formed, where the young people are able to support each other through the darker times of their cancer journey and beyond.

One of our aims at Teens Unite is to improve the confidence and self-esteem of the young people and this was achieved through the workshop.  We provide a positive, safe and comfortable envirornment where they didn't need feel self-conscious about the fact they have scarring or have lost their hair.  This confidence will continue to grow over time as they attend more events with Teens Unite.

The workshop also improved the wellness of the young people as they were pampered from head to toe.  They left feeling positive that they are still able to live a happy life outside of cancer and their illness doesn't have to just be about treatment, tests and hospital appointments.

What did the young people get upto?

During the beauty workshop, the young people were pampered with professional reflexology, manicures and pedicures, mini massages and professional make-up.  They were ablew to enjoy a relaxing spa-like experience without the worry of feeling self-conscious or 'out of the ordinary'.  The young people were treated to lunch, where they could converse and take time to get to know one another and hear each others stories and speak not just about illness, but the wider world.

What do the young people have to say?

"I admit i was feeling sceptical about being at the workshop and surrounded by people who looked or felt as ill as I did.  I think it's safe to say that since meeting everyone that day I've not looked back.  What stood out was how much everyone was laughing, and how postive they all were.  Before then, I'd only known how to be depressed about having cancer. People would avoid the subject and feel awkward asking how things were going.  I had not idea that there were other young people in the same situation as me." Georgia, 22

Next Steps

We hold similar beauty days throughout the year, and they can make a real difference in the lives of the young people we support.  Your money could help a young person with cancer attend this workshop, meet others in a similar situation and make new friends in a safe, positive environment.