Supporting your child’s wellbeing as routines change
Written by Amy Cottrill, Assistant Psychologist and Family Liaison Co-ordinator at Tom’s Trust. In this blog, Amy shares practical tips to help parents and carers of children with brain tumours support their child’s wellbeing, manage worries and navigate changes in routine. New routines and transitions can bring a mixture of emotions for children and […]
A new chapter for our Co-Founder, Debs Mitchell
After co-founding Tom’s Trust, and being CEO until 2021, Debs has decided that it’s the right time to leave the day to day working of Tom’s Trust in the capable hands of Rebecca Wood as CEO and her brilliant team. Debs will take a short break before potentially joining on the Board of Trustees. Debs […]
Confidence, Friendship and Fun: The Impact of Better Together Camp 2026
For 18 boys living with or beyond a brain tumour diagnosis, this summer’s Better Together Camp was far more than a weekend away. It was a chance to make friends, try new adventures, grow in confidence and simply enjoy being children together. Held in a safe and supportive environment, the camp brought together young people […]
Back to school: the importance of friendship
As a new school year begins, children and young people are reconnecting with classmates, making plans and settling back into school routines. But for children affected by a brain tumour, returning to school can be a very different experience. Treatment can mean months away from the classroom and missing the everyday moments that help friendships […]
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: The importance of clinical psychology
September marks the start of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges faced by children and families affected by childhood cancer. For children diagnosed with a brain tumour, the impact can extend far beyond their physical health. Diagnosis and treatment can affect their emotions, relationships, education and everyday life, as […]
Better Together Camp 2026 – ‘a life changing experience’
From 19th – 22nd June, Tom’s Trust held our second ever ‘Better Together Camp’. 18 boys aged 9–14, all living with a brain tumour, came together for a weekend filled with fun, friendship, adventure and plenty of laughter. We had the pleasure of being joined by twenty incredible volunteers, both from Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle, and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool – and three of […]
Men’s Health Week: The Impact of a Childhood Brain Tumour on Fathers and Young Men
Men’s Health Week is an opportunity to focus on the challenges that can affect men’s mental and physical wellbeing. For fathers and young men affected by a childhood brain tumour, those challenges can be significant. Parents often focus entirely on supporting their child through treatment and recovery, while young people may struggle with changes to their […]
In their words: How volunteering transforms lives at Tom’s Trust
Volunteering can be transformative for both volunteers and the charities they support. It connects people, boosts wellbeing, and for some, offers a chance to develop skills while giving back. In the UK, 28.4% of people volunteered at least once in 2024/25, with nearly one in five (17%) volunteering monthly.* At Tom’s Trust, we’re fortunate to have volunteers who show up time […]
Low-Grade, not low impact: The reality of low-grade brain tumours
Did you know that not all brain tumours are cancerous? This week, we’re talking about the impact of low-grade brain tumours, which can lead to long-term brain injury. Our Director of Service Development Dr Lynda Teape says, “There is a too often held belief that a low-grade brain tumour is relatively harmless. Thankfully for some people, that may […]
Monavate hosts Fastest Day in Fintech for Tom’s Trust
Last Thursday, the Fastest Day in Fintech helped drive something even more powerful than payments and performance cars; it powered brighter futures for children with brain tumours. Teams from across the finance world came together at Palmer Sport, in an adrenaline-filled day of speed, spins and smiles – hosted by our friends at Monavate. They […]
Brighter Futures: Our new campaign to raise £5 million over 5 years
Exciting things are happening at Tom’s Trust – we have launched a new campaign! It’s called Brighter Futures, because that’s what we want to achieve. By supporting the whole family, we will help them to create their brightest possible future beyond diagnosis. To deliver Brighter Futures, we need to double our income. Raising £5 million over the […]
Cumbrian teen speaks out about his brain tumour diagnosis: Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month
April is Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month, and for many young people across the UK, it will be a time to reflect on their diagnosis. Approximately 500 children and young people aged 0-19 are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year in the UK – that is 10 a week. Following his brain […]