YOUNGSTERS affected by cancer will have somewhere to turn thanks to a new support centre run by Southend Hospital.

The Macmillan Information and Support Centre at Southend University Hospital will run a four-week programme at the Shoeburyness Youth Centre aimed specifically at supporting young people aged 11-18 affected by cancer.

The Macmillan team is working in partnership with the Young Carers Forum and are inviting young people affected by cancer to meet youngsters in a similar position and talk to trained specialist.

The scheme came about after Friederike Englund, the Macmillan information and support centre manager, received a letter from 13-yearold Hannah Canbrey, who was struggling to come to terms with her mother Debbie’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Hannah said: “I think at the time I wrote the letter, I was annoyed because there wasn’t any support available specifically for people my age.

“I wasn’t blaming anyone, I was just determined to have something done about it.

Because there was no outlet, I felt alone and unhappy, but I didn’t want to tell my parents and upset them.

“I’m hoping the group will mean young people like me won’t get ill or stressed because we will have someone to talk to about it. Don’t bottle it up because the outcome is much worse. It may feel like the right thing to do at the time, but it really isn’t.”

The programme will teach youngsters new ways to cope with daily experiences, such as school or college, and look after themselves.

Friederike said: “Youngsters don’t have a voice because everything is focussed on the cancer patient. Teenagers are becoming independent and suddenly they are thrown back because there is the responsibility of a sick parent. It throws them into turmoil and singles them out as different to their friends. The club is somewhere they can be a normal teenager and give them a voice.”

The venue has a climbing wall, pool table and music room. The programme starts on Tuesday at 7pm at the centre in Delaware Road.

Youngsters under the age of 16 must have parental approval. Call Brenda on 01702 298495 or telephone Dawn or Caroline on 01702 385101.