Lorraine Beddard, Specialist Nurse
“I feel inspired by knowing the difference this individualised support can make to young people and their network – that’s what they tell me!” Lorraine is a Teenage and Young Adult Specialist Nurse
My role
I am a TYA specialist nurse, I work across 2 designated hospital sites, this means they are not the Principal Treatment Centre with a specialist Teenage Cancer Trust Unit; they are hospitals that can deliver treatment and care nearer to the young person’s home.
Young people are being treated within the adult health service and my role is to advocate, communicate and ensure the young person is recognised as an individual with individual needs within their medical teams and hospital environment, signpost, liaise with work/college/universities as necessary, help applying for grants, wigs and wishes. Help to support the young person with decisions, offering some control at a time when everything feels out of control.
Along with our CLIC Sargent social worker and community youth worker we offer peer support through a group that meets every 6 weeks – to ensure young people are able to meet others of a similar age who are/have experienced cancer and its treatment.
We provide outward bound activities after treatment to promote confidence, self-esteem, team working and peer support, in addition to well-being evenings after treatment for young people and their networks.
We also ensure young people are offered/encouraged to attend an Ellen MacArthur sailing trip, Teenage Cancer Trust’s Royal Albert Hall Backstage Experience and Find Your Sense of Tumour Conference, and other appropriate events and activities.
Why Teenage Cancer Trust matters
They provide funding for the TYA specialist nurse to network nationally with TYA experts.
They provide learning and educational opportunities to ensure the TYA specialist nurses practice is up to date/effective.
They provide a TYA written information in a ‘one stop’ booklet.