New Kent charity, YouCan Youth Cancer Support, celebrated its official launch on Thursday 21 April 2016 at The Turner Contemporary in Margate.

The charity offers support to young people in London and the South East aged between 10 and 30, whose lives have been impacted by cancer.  The launch will explain the work of the charity and also how people can get involved and help to make a difference to these young lives.

Having cancer at a young age can be a lonely and isolating experience and the most important part of YouCan’s work is to bring young people together to share their experience with others who really understand.

Recognising that cancer can affect confidence and self-esteem YouCan have set up ‘Get Together’ workshops designed by experienced health professionals, qualified therapists and business experts, with the aim of giving young people the confidence to reclaim a positive future.

The next exciting project for YouCan is to purchase a property on the Kent coast where they will offer short breaks for any young person, with their family or friends, to enjoy some time-out away from the day to day stresses of living with cancer.  Funding has already been secured through fundraising and donations, so the search is now on for the perfect property with the aim of opening the doors in time for summer 2016.

Colin Thacker, Director of Location 3 Properties Ltd, one of the key businesses supporting YouCan said:

“We have supported various charities across the UK, but took the decision to concentrate our support on an organization, that in turn supports a cause that truly makes a difference.  We resonate with the key elements of YouCan – children, young people and cancer care – we are all parents and we have all been impacted by cancer.”

YouCan is part of the Children’s Development Trust (CDT), a charity that has been operating for 9 years, mostly with children and young people, helping them to improve their lives through well-being, sport, health and the arts.  CDT was behind the highly successful Music On The Hill festivals in Kent in 2011 and 2013, featuring artists such as McFly, Peter Andre and Jools Holland.

There are many ways to get involved with this exciting project so please take a look at the website www.you-can-org.uk, contact the charity at hello@you-can.org.uk or telephone 01732 844874