Aims and Objectives
The aim of the 3am Thoughts Club is to start a support group created especially for parents and carers of children with cancer. It will be a safe and welcoming space focused entirely on the parents giving them the opportunity to talk openly about how they are feeling, connect with others who truly understand, and take time for themselves amongst the challenges they face every day.
The group aims to bring parents together through shared experiences, emotional support, and meaningful connection, while offering something specifically for them. By helping parents and carers feel supported, valued, and cared for, the group also helps strengthen their ability to support their child and meet their child’s emotional and practical needs during an incredibly difficult time.
Who we are?
The 3am Thoughts Club will be about reminding parents and carers that their wellbeing matters too, and that they are not alone in their journey.
This will be a collaborative group with the parents, who will share ideas and insights to help the group develop and grow.
Our aim is for The 3am Thoughts Club to be a warm, welcoming, and friendly space where parents and carers feel comfortable, relaxed, and at ease. Through conversations with parents, we know they do not want the group to feel clinical or sterile, nor do they wish to sit in empty halls discussing their feelings in a formal setting.
We understand that attending a support group can feel daunting and emotionally overwhelming. By incorporating activities into each session, parents are able to focus on a shared experience, allowing conversations to develop more naturally and organically. Parents have told us this feels far less intimidating and creates opportunities for connection without pressure.
What we do?
The themes of the group will focus on giving parents and carers time for themselves, supporting their mental wellbeing, and recognising their own needs at a time when so much of their life is centred around their child’s cancer journey. We also want the group to remain parent-led wherever possible. As the group develops, we will continue to liaise with parents about the types of activities they would value most, ensuring sessions remain inclusive and responsive to different needs and preferences. We recognise that one approach will not meet everyone’s needs, which is why parents will be able to choose which themed sessions they wish to attend. Flyers detailing the date, time, and theme of upcoming sessions will be shared at the end of each group.
We are also mindful that some groups may feel particularly marginalised or less comfortable speaking openly about their emotions. For this reason, we hope to offer men-only evenings, providing activities and environments that may feel more comfortable and accessible, such as a golfing-themed session.
In addition, we recognise the importance of supporting the wider family, including siblings and grandparents, whose experiences are often overlooked. One parent shared with us that “people only ask about my child who had cancer, never about their sister,” highlighting the need to ensure siblings feel seen and included too. We therefore hope to organise sibling-focused activities such as private pottery painting sessions and soft play events. We want to provide parents and families with activities they would genuinely enjoy and benefit from, which is why we aim to offer a variety of experiences rather than repeating the same activities throughout the year.
One activity families have expressed they greatly miss is soft play. Due to being immunocompromised, many of the children are unable to access public soft play facilities safely during or after treatment. By hiring a private soft play venue with a seating area for families, we can create a safe and supportive environment where children are able to enjoy an activity that is often no longer accessible to them.
At the same time, parents and carers have the opportunity to sit together, talk openly, and connect with others who understand the challenges of caring for a child with cancer or complex health needs. Being surrounded by families in similar situations can help reduce feelings of isolation and build a sense of community, support, and understanding.
Potential themed sessions may include men’s evenings, bereaved parents evenings, grandparents evenings, sibling activities, yoga, meditation and sound bath sessions, art therapy, self-care evenings including aromatherapy and nail painting, and crochet sessions. Through these events, we hope to create meaningful opportunities for connection, support, and wellbeing for the whole family. The activities we have chosen are based on what parents have told us they would like access to and feel would be beneficial to their wellbeing. For example, sessions focused on meditation, mindfulness, and breathing techniques could provide valuable support for families, as many parents experience heightened stress and anxiety while caring for a child with cancer or complex medical needs. These activities may help parents manage anxiety, improve emotional wellbeing, and provide coping strategies during particularly challenging periods. Parents and carers often have very little time to focus on their own wellbeing, as much of their energy is dedicated to caring for their child and managing the challenges that come with treatment.
We hope these sessions will provide an opportunity for self-care in a supportive environment, where parents can take time for themselves without feelings of guilt. Being alongside other families facing similar experiences can help parents feel understood, less isolated, and more comfortable prioritising their own wellbeing.
By creating a space where everyone shares similar challenges, we hope parents feel able to relax, access support, and recognise the importance of caring for themselves as well as their child. Many parents and carers do not prioritise spending money or time on themselves, often because their focus is entirely on meeting the needs of their child and family. This is why we want to provide a range of different activities that appeal to people with varying interests and needs, without families having to worry about the financial cost.
By offering activities and refreshments free of charge, we hope to remove barriers to accessing support, encourage parents to engage in opportunities for wellbeing and connection, and allow them to take time for themselves in a supportive and understanding environment.
The 3am Thoughts Club aims to provide a range of wellbeing, peer support, and family-focused activities designed around the needs identified by parents and carers of children affected by cancer and complex medical conditions.
Donate or fundraise to support families today
Visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/3amthoughtsclub to find out more.
All donations support The Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) Charity’s Dolphin (children’s) ward fund.
Contact PAH Charity today by emailing [email protected] or calling 01279 973990.