What we do
Tom’s Trust is dedicated to providing mental health support to children with brain tumours in the UK. Our work is additional to the very basic NHS provision, which is not designed or intended to manage the complex psychological requirements of young brain tumour sufferers.
Take a look at our ‘why we do it’ page to find out more about why our children need this specialist support.
Tom’s Trust’s programme of support
Our clinical psychologists support children who are diagnosed with brain tumours and their families, to improve their quality of life and wellbeing. Our support starts at diagnosis and continues through adolescence, as the children’s needs change. We are also passionate about supporting families who sadly lose their children.
Evidence proves that early intervention with psychological support reduces the likelihood of long-term disabilities (NHS England Neuro-rehabilitation service specification 2014). By providing mental health support at the point of diagnosis and beyond, we provide the best chance for children to get back to school, resume their lives and go on to achieve their full potential.
Our work
We have two services, one in the East of England and one in the North East. We provide support to an incredible 301 children, approximately 755 additional family members, and approximately 75 new diagnoses annually.
Hear from one of our psychologists:
Dr Angela Kirby – Tom’s Trust, Cambridge
Why is Tom’s Trust best placed to provide this support?
Tom’s Trust was established in 2011 by Andrew Whiteley and Debs Mitchell following the death of their only son Tom, aged 9, after a seven-month battle with a brain tumour. They received almost no support during diagnosis, treatment or beyond.
After Tom died, they were determined that no other family would be unsupported. We are the only UK charity focused solely on providing mental health support for children with brain tumours and their families, which is desperately needed but almost entirely absent.
Since 2013 we’ve worked hard to gather evidence on how important psychological support is for children with brain tumours and their families. We have developed a best practice support service and are extremely proud that we see improvements in 100% of the children we support in their cognitive or emotional states.
Listen to Tom’s mum, and one of our co-founders, talk about Tom’s diagnosis:
