The Learnings video series is a resource to help schools understand the needs of young people who have a parent with a cancer diagnosis.

Our Family Support service helps families cope with the disruption to ordinary family life and helps to minimise the long-term impact on children’s emotional well-being.  If you would like to find out more about our Family Support service contact Gail on gailcalwell@cancerfocusni.org. 

The Learnings Part 1: Advice from our Youth Parliament for School Staff

This short film is a guide to understanding children and young people’s emotions and views when returning to school after the death of a loved one. By young people who have gone through this themselves.

The Learnings Part 2: Advice from other Teaching Staff

This short film is a guide on how to make school a welcoming and safe space after the death of a parent, both emotionally and practically.

The Learnings Part 3: The Elephant in the Room

This is a short film on the importance of talking about a loved one to young people after someone has died. The Cancer Focus Youth Parliament read Terry Kettering’s famous poem and offer a reflection on how important it is to be open and honest about loss and not to hide it away.

Thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund for the project funding.

Cancer Focus NI worked in partnership with film-making company esc film to create The Journey.