How Cancer Care Support Groups Can Help

A childhood cancer diagnosis can, turn a family’s world upside down. Knowing other families are going through a similar experience can be helpful to feel less alone.  

Our group support programs give families all around Australia a chance to connect with people whose child has been diagnosed with cancer and help parents, carers and children overcome unique challenges specific to childhood cancer. 

Redkite hosts a variety of support groups, from casual catchups to educational programs on specific topics. Groups are held online using Microsoft Teams.

Connect Groups: Groups that connect parents or carers in a similar role or to discuss a specific topic. With two Redkite Social Workers there to guide the discussion, you will be able to safely share your experience, discuss challenges and learn strategies that others have found useful. You’re welcome to share as much or as little as you like.

Childhood Cancer Support Group for New Diagnosis

This Connect Group is an informal online catch-up for parents, guardians and carers who are at a similar stage of their cancer experience. 

Topics include:

• Family relationships and wellbeing
• Navigating the health system
• Emotional health and stress
• Helping your child with medicine and treatments
• Managing emergencies
• Practical challenges, e.g. house tasks, finances, childcare, etc. 

Support Group for Grandparents, extended family & Friends

We welcome all grandparents, extended family members, and friends. We encourage new attendees to join and you’re welcome to share as much or as little as you like.

This group is for you if:

• You are a grandparent, extended family member, or close friend of a child aged 0-18 who has a cancer diagnosis
• You want to learn strategies of how to best support the diagnosed child and their family, whilst also looking after yourself in the process
• The child is currently on treatment or has finished treatment within the last 12 months
• You want to meet and talk with others who are facing similar challenges and experiences

Connect Group for Dads

We welcome all dads and father figures and encourage new attendees to join. You’re welcome to share as much or as little as you like.

Topics include:

• The impacts of treatment on your child, both physical and emotional
• How treatment might affect your parenting and family routines
• Managing expectations and emotions
• Relationships and communication with your partner and/or significant people in your life

Cascade Program

An online group course for parents, guardians, and carers of children who have finished treatment. Developed in partnership with the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

The Cascade program teaches parents, guardians, and carers useful skills to manage their cancer-related concerns early in their child’s survivorship period and how to live ‘life after cancer’.

The program gives parents the opportunity to reflect on their cancer experience, identifying how it may have affected their thinking, day-to-day habits or their family members, re-evaluating their priorities, and assessing their needs and desires so that they can communicate them to the people around them. 

The activities in Cascade are based on a type of therapy called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). The idea behind CBT is that thoughts, feelings, and behaviours all combine to influence someone’s quality of life. By participating in Cascade, participants will learn how to identify and challenge any unhelpful thinking patterns that may be present and strengthen their communication and problem-solving skills. This type of therapy has been proven to improve the quality of life of carers of cancer patients.

Parents/Guardians/Carers will learn:

• Different strategies for managing their worries
• How to build resilience
• To rediscover their strengths
• How to regain a sense of ‘normal’
• How to plan for the future

“The Cascade program actually changed my life… I now allow myself to prioritise my needs and I continually remind myself that worry won’t prepare me for further bumps in the road, all I can do is make the most of each day in the meantime.” Redkite parent.

Coffee Groups

Regular, casual catchups for parents and carers. Drop in, drop out as you wish

Redkite’s Coffee Catch Ups are an opportunity to connect regularly with a supportive network of people who understand.

These groups are held once every two weeks and are facilitated by two Redkite social workers. They are a safe, relaxed, and open forum where you can meet other parents and carers and talk about the unique challenges of childhood cancer. 

Topics include:

• Ideas for self-care
• Caring for a child through treatment
• Transitioning between treatment stages
• General sharing – what’s happening with you and your family

Children’s Group

Age-specific groups for diagnosed children and their siblings.

Kite for Kids

Connecting siblings of children with cancer

A fun, safe space where siblings (aged 6-12) can meet their peers, play games, and join our online cancer support group for siblings to talk about their feelings and experiences. 

Redkite’s social workers have made exciting activities that will give each child the chance to explore their big feelings, identify their strengths, practice taking care of their emotional wellbeing, and learn tools to help them better cope with change. Sessions will focus on different parts of their mental health, including feelings, self-esteem, and resilience, and will encourage creativity and self-expression.

Some of the activities include:

• Games and puzzles
• Drawing
• Group activities and talking to others
• Active games like “I Spy”, virtual scavenger hunts and charades
• Playing with toy animals and Playdough
• Meditation and mindfulness exercises
• And lots more!

Kite for Kids Group Support for Children aged 6 – 12

This group program is for children who have been diagnosed with cancer and are aged 6-12. It is best suited for children who can attend all four sessions in a confidential space.

Call us on 1800 431 312, Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm (AEST), or email us anytime at [email protected]