Referrals / Booking
The Youth Cancer Trust provides free peer support activity holidays in Bournemouth for teenagers and young adults (aged 14 to 30) with cancer from the UK and Ireland.
The holidays take place all year round (Monday to Friday). Each week groups of 8 of a similar age stay and take part in a range of activities from horse riding through to more leisurely activities such as arts and crafts. The groups choose which activities they wish to take part in.
Guests can be accompanied by a sibling or a friend for free.
About our holidaysWatch the film
Want to book a holiday?
Find out if your eligible for a FREE holiday here:
If we have confirmed you can come on a holiday, please complete the full application form here:
Download Companions Application form
If you’d prefer, you can also Download and Print form HERE. Please complete it and return it to us at: Tracy Ann House, 5 Studland Road, Alum Chine, Bournemouth, BH4 8HZ
The Youth Cancer Trust offers a simple booking procedure. As long as there is a free space, a new guest can be booked in. We take bookings up to a year in advance.
We tend to get booked up very quickly so please get in touch as soon as you think you know when you would like to come and stay.
School holidays tend to be very popular, so if you are not in full-time education please try to book times outside of these holiday times. This will help give everyone who wants a holiday the opportunity to have one.
Patients, parents or hospital professionals are welcome to contact us, by phone (01202 763591), email, or by letter to discuss the holidays and available dates in more detail.
We will discuss a suitable date over the phone or contact you on receipt of an application.
If you are under 18, the form will need to be completed by a parent, carer or social worker
Once the dates are confirmed, the holiday will be confirmed in writing.
Everything at the Youth Cancer Trust is designed to be straight forward and hassle-free.
Info for parentsInfo for healthcare pros
Payment of Holiday and Grants
The cost of a holiday at Tracy Ann House and the transport to and from Bournemouth is completely FREE for both patient and companion.
The Youth Cancer Trust works in conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Support. Macmillan Cancer Support will sometimes pay a grant of £275.00 per patient (and sometimes companion) towards the cost of a holiday. As a small, independent charity the YCT is keen to make an application wherever possible to Macmillan Cancer Support. If you have already received a grant from Macmillan then this might not be possible.
If an application is unsuccessful or unfeasible the Youth Cancer Trust will cover all the costs of the holiday and travel expenses.
The Youth Cancer Trust is unable to make an application itself for a grant and kindly asks that the patient’s social worker, doctor, GP or nurse make this application on its behalf.
Peter Guest will outline this procedure to whoever has made the referral in writing.
An application consists of a letter to Macmillan which must include the details of the patient and their companion and the request for a grant of £275.00 per person and the costs of their travel.
This letter should be sent to:
Macmillan Grants Manager
Macmillan Cancer Relief
89 Albert Embankment
London
SE1 7UQ
Travel Arrangements
Macmillan will sometimes fund the costs of travelling to and from Bournemouth.
If an application is successful, a grant to cover the costs of travel tickets will be paid directly to the patient.
If there is no grant the Youth Cancer Trust will reimburse the costs of travel on production of the necessary receipts and if needed, payment can be sent to the patient in advance.
Wherever possible patients are asked to make their own travel arrangements and book their tickets as early as possible to obtain preferential rates. If the patient is unable to make their own travel arrangements please contact Peter Guest on 01202 763591 or email.
Patients and/or their parents are asked to confirm the arrival times and mode of transport with us at least 7 days prior to their holiday, either by email or by telephone on 01202 763591.
We can send you an information pack all about Youth Cancer Trust holidays – email us with your contact details or telephone 01202 763591.