Taster day at Find Your Sense of Tumour U18's
Find Your Sense of Tumour (FYSOT) is a free weekend event specially for young people who’ve had cancer. It’s your chance to get advice, be inspired and enjoy a great weekend with others your age who truly get you.
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This year FYSOT is back in person and we’re offering the chance for you and your parent/guardian to come for the day rather than the full weekend. We hope you will join us on Saturday 18 June at Whitemoor Lakes in Staffordshire.
It’s free to attend and we can cover your travel costs (fuel or public transport).
What is Taster Day?
Rather than coming to FYSOT for the weekend, you can come for the day on Saturday 18 June from 10am to 5.30pm. You get to take part in the same activities as young people staying for the weekend and you will get to meet and socialise with young people from all over the UK. The only difference is you’re there for the day and you get to bring a parent/guardian with you.
And don’t worry about your parent/guardian! They will get a special area to relax while you do your thing and we’ll offer them plenty of cake and a massage too if they fancy it.
Apply for taster day
Who can come?
To come to FYSOT Taster Day as a young person you must:
- have been diagnosed (or still on active treatment) on or after your 13th birthday
- be aged between 13 and 17 by 19 June 2022
- have finished treatment within the last 6-24 months or be on maintenance treatment
- have received two doses of the Covid vaccine by 1 June
- Be willing to do a lateral flow test before travelling to the event and provide proof of a negative test
If you can’t say yes to all of these, please consider applying to Digital FYSOT instead.
To come to FYSOT Taster Day as a parent/guardian you must:
- have received at least two doses of the covid vaccine
- have received a booster of the covid vaccine (or will do) by june 1
- be able to attend FYSOT and be available to your child all day on Saturday 18 June including transporting them to and from the event (car or public transport)
- be willing to do a lateral flow test before travelling to the event and provide proof of a negative test
The parent/guardian who fills in the application form must be the one to bring the child on the day.
There are some exemptions that will be made for young people on maintenance treatment or palliative-stage patients if your treatment team feel it will be appropriate for you to attend. Get in touch with [email protected]
Over 18? We will update the list above closer to the time for the over 18 event. Check back soon.
Where is it and how do I get there?
FYSOT is at Whitemoor Lakes in Staffordshire. The postcode for satnav is WS13 8QT.
We are able to cover mileage if you’re driving at 45p per mile.
Alternatively, you can arrange your own public transportation and you can send us your receipts to [email protected] to be reimbursed. If you would prefer us to book your train travel for you up front, please email us.
Expenses will be reimbursed within two weeks. We are unable to cover costs for overnight accommodation.
The closest train station is Lichfield Trent Valley – it is a short taxi ride away from the venue.
What do I need to do to apply?
You need to fill in this form with your parent/guardian. It asks about you, your cancer and there are a few things on there we need your parent/guardian’s consent for too.
There’s also a medical form we will send to your clinical team to make sure you’re well enough to attend. We will get in touch after we have both of those forms to confirm if you can come to Taster Day.
What happens next?
We will speak with your clinical team and then we will confirm if you can come to Taster Day. We will email you letting you know. If you need us to book travel for you, we will be in touch about that too.
Does it cost me to attend?
No it’s free to attend and we can book your travel for you too. Just tell us in the application form.
If you have more questions, you might find the answer you’re looking for in our FYSOT FAQs [link to FAQs] or email [email protected] and a member of the team will be happy to help.
Past FYSOT events
Frequently asked questions
Under 18s event is Friday 17 to Sunday 19 June at Whitemoor Lakes in Staffordshire.
Over 18s event is Friday 28 to Sunday 30 October at Yarnfield Park in Staffordshire.
Under 18s: you’ll be in a shared dorm room with between 3-7 people. If you’ve travelled with a group, we’ll do our best to place you all together and male and female bedrooms will be separate. All rooms are en suite and there are no stairs.
Over 18s: you’ll be in individual rooms, all of which are en suite. There are lifts to all floors.
We understand that there are a range of gender diverse young people who may access our services so please get in touch if you have any questions about sleeping arrangements.
Don’t worry. We will have a medical team from Central Medical Services on site all weekend and they can provide 24 hour medical support. If you are taking any medication, please remember to bring it with you. Medication must be in the original packaging with dispensing labels attached.
Of course – we wouldn’t want you going hungry! There will be dinner on Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Every meal will be buffet style so you should find something you like.
Just let us know when you apply to attend and we’ll take care of it.
Please get in touch with [email protected] if you want to discuss your particular needs. Each venue has been chosen with additional needs in mind. We will work with you to make your attendance possible in any way we can – just ask!
We would suggest that you bring layered comfortable clothing for when you are in the hotel, coat and boots if you want to venture outside and something for the evenings. Bedding and towels are provided.
Other essentials to bring are toothbrush/paste, sun cream, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner as these are not provided. Please make sure you bring all the medication you require for the weekend. Medication must be in the original packaging with dispensing labels attached.
That’s entirely up to you, soft drinks and tea and coffee are provided throughout the day, however there is a Costa at the over 18s venue you may wish to buy a drink from.
Oh yes, we love a bit of fancy dress at Teenage Cancer Trust. We’ll all be slipping into our costumes for the party on Saturday night so check out this year’s theme with your Group Leader and get creative! If nothing else, it’s a good chance to laugh at how silly we all look…
If you’re going with a group from a Teenage Cancer Trust unit, you’ll travel there together with your Youth Support Coordinator or Group Leader. If you’re coming on your own, get in touch and we can help you make travel arrangements.
It’s a packed schedule, with talks from some amazing people, workshops, activities and entertainment in the evening. This usually covers topics like body image, fertility, friendships and relationships.
There are lots of activities going on all weekend, but it’s not all cancer based, so don’t worry about it being too heavy. You can sign up to the things that interest you most.
Under 18s: Whitemoor Lakes is an outdoor activity centre so we will be making some of their outdoor activities available on the Saturday afternoon if you want to join in. Alternatively, you can experience some complementary therapies, workshops, craft or just chat.
Over 18s: Yarnfield Park is a conference centre with plenty of space. It has chill out areas, complimentary therapies, loads of workshops, yoga and crafts.
No! This is your weekend, so you can do as much or as little of the activities that are available. It’s totally up to you. You can go for a walk around the amazing grounds or there is a chill out space if you fancy some quiet time. We just want everyone to get as much out of the FYSOT experience as possible.
Yes. Both venues have wifi.
Many young people come to the event not knowing anyone and leave with lifelong friendships. Please don’t worry about not knowing anyone – you will travel in a group from your region and your Youth Support Coordinator/Group Leader will help you get to know each other quickly.
Our events are strictly alcohol free and soft drinks are provided.
FAQs for parents and guardians
They will get to take part in a guided programme of activities that leave a lasting impact on their self-esteem, body image, emotion and social wellbeing. It’s a unique opportunity to surround themselves with like-minded young people who understand what they are going through and an event we’re sure your child will benefit from as they can choose the activities and sessions that are most relevant and helpful to them.
Don’t worry. We will have a medical team from Central Medical Services on site all weekend and they can provide 24 hour medical support. If your child is taking any medication, please remind them to bring it with them. Medication must be in the original packaging with dispensing labels attached.
Staff will be aware of your child’s psychological needs in advance and are trained to spot signs where a young person may need help.