Here for the Diagnosed Child and Their Siblings

When a child or young person (aged 0–24 years) is diagnosed with cancer, the entire family is affected. At The Joshua Tree, we provide tailored emotional and practical support not only for the child or young person diagnosed, but also for their siblings, parents, and wider family.

Support can begin at any stage

Some families contact us immediately, while others reach out months or even years after diagnosis. We may not meet the diagnosed child right away. For example, grandparents often bring siblings to the centre during times of adjustment or hospital stays, helping to provide a safe, supportive space while things feel out of routine at home.

Helping Children Feel Safe, Heard, and Supported

After an initial consultation, our team will work with you to create a support plan tailored to your child’s individual needs.

Some children may simply enjoy attending our fun family events and play sessions, a chance to relax, connect, and just be kids. Others may need more focused emotional support. In those cases, our trained professionals can offer age-appropriate counselling, therapeutic play, or educational support to help them navigate their experiences in a safe and supported way.

No matter where your children is on their journey, we’re here to help them feel heard, understood, and supported.

Explore our services

Family Support Sessions

Art and play therapy

Educational support

Fitness and nutrition

I lost my best friend, my playmate, my school bus buddy, my only sister, The Joshua Tree helped me through therapy, allowing me to talk about my worries, fears, and doubts. Most importantly, they’ve shown me I’m not alone.

- Elliot, who was just 8 years old when he lost his little sister, aged 6, to Burkitt’s Lymphoma

Supporting Siblings

Siblings may experience a wide range of emotions including fear, worry, anger, guilt, jealousy, and loneliness, which can continue long after treatment ends.

Our sibling support services are designed to help children express these feelings in a safe, nurturing environment, while also giving them the dedicated attention they deserve. Through time spent playing and connecting with our Family Support Workers, siblings are reminded that their thoughts and feelings matter too.

1:1 Therapeutic Art & Play Sessions

Siblings have the opportunity to meet with a member of our Family Support Team in a relaxed, comfortable setting. Whether at home, school, or at The Joshua Tree Support Centre. These sessions allow siblings to explore their feelings in a creative and supportive way.

Activities & Events

We offer ongoing activities and events for siblings, such as our monthly Family Fun Sessions, where the whole family can join in and enjoy quality time together. We also run After School Clubs, exciting off-site adventures, and wellbeing events tailored for teens.

Fitness & Nutritional Support

Supporting the wellbeing of siblings goes beyond emotional care, it also means helping them feel strong, confident, and healthy in themselves.

We offer 1:1 personal training sessions for teenagers to build physical strength and empower them in a safe and inclusive environment.

1:1 Counselling

For siblings who need deeper emotional support, we offer age-appropriate individual counselling sessions to help them process their emotions and experiences. This support can take place at any stage, whether it’s during treatment or even years after a family’s diagnosis, as emotional impacts can surface or shift over time.