Life After Childhood Cancer Treatment
Childhood Cancer Ireland brings you a new family support programme called Life After Treatment.
Finishing treatment may bring enormous relief and gratitude, but it can also release a wave of unexpected emotions, including fear of recurrence and uncertainty about how to move forward.
From managing fatigue and emotional wellbeing to navigating school, friendships and follow-up care, life after childhood cancer treatment can raise new questions, challenges and worries for the whole family.
Brand New Programme
This is the first initiative of its kind in Ireland, created specifically to support families in the months and years after treatment ends.
The programme supports parents and young people as they adjust to life after cancer treatment. It covers common challenges you may face, such as changes in energy levels (fatigue), difficulties with concentration or learning and the emotional impact of treatment.
We will look at how physical activity and healthy eating can help and how the body, mind and emotions are all connected.
We will also explore how to have open and supportive conversations with the medical team, school and within the family, so that yours and your child’s needs are clearly understood and met.
Finally, the programme addresses fertility concerns, offering information and answering common questions that families may have for now and the future.
For Parents
Guidance and support to help you understand what your child (0–16 years) is experiencing during this stage of recovery. You’ll learn what changes are typical, what might need extra attention and how to communicate in ways that feel safe, supportive and reassuring.
For young people (age 12–16)
We’ll help you understand how your body and mind are recovering after cancer, even if you finished treatment years ago. You’ll learn practical strategies to manage everyday challenges, build confidence and share your experiences with people who get it.
Younger children & Siblings
Younger children age 0 – 12 who have finished treatment and siblings (age 0 – 18) take part in the full range of Barretstown activities!
Over the weekend everyone will have time to take part in recreational and therapeutic activities together, making it a supportive and fun weekend for the whole family.
Together, the aim is to promote recovery, wellbeing, and open communication so families feel informed, supported, and empowered during life after treatment.
Who should attend?
- This programme is for children age 0 – 16 who have finished treatment for childhood cancer.
- Children age 12 – 16 who have finished treatment attend workshops, as well as taking part in all the fun activities.
- It’s for the whole family so parents and siblings (age 0 – 18) are also included.
Programme Structure
- Residential family weekend at Barretstown: 17th – 19th April 2026
- Three follow-up online workshops, delivered by experienced professionals, for parents and children age 12 - 16
Family weekend at Barretstown
The programme begins with residential weekend for the whole family at Barretstown from Friday 17th – Sunday 19th April 2026.
Families arrive between 4pm – 6pm on Friday and stay in their own cottage, with all meals and entertainment provided for the weekend. The weekend finishes at 2pm on Sunday.
There’ll be a mix of helpful workshops and Barretstown fun for parents and young people age 12–16.
At the same time, children age 0 – 12 who have finished treatment and siblings will take part in the full range of Barretstown activities. There are also creche facilities for young children.
About the Workshops
This programme combines emotional support with practical information and learning, through a mix of information, group discussion and sharing strategies and resources.
All sessions are designed to be supportive, practical and easy to engage with, focusing on the areas that families tell us matter most after treatment ends.
Teen workshops include:
- Conversation Café: Say it Your Way
- School, Energy and Concentration: What’s Going On?
- The Energy Hub
Parent workshops include:
- Running on Empty: Understanding and Managing Fatigue
- Navigating Conversations After Cancer
- Stronger Together: Supporting Yourself and Your Child
Online Workshops
The family weekend is followed by three online workshops, which you can attend from home and will supplement everything you learnt at the family weekend.
- 28th April: Your Future, Your Fertility: A Guide for Teens and Parents
- 5th May: Supporting Your Child with School, Energy and Concentration (for parents)
- 12th May: Nourishing Recovery and Growth (for parents)
Book your place today
We’re here to support your family every step of the way. Sign up today!
Spaces are limited and filling quickly!
Please note that, while the programme is free for families, it does cost to run. We kindly ask that you only register if you are able to attend and commit to the weekend, so every place can be fully used and benefit a family who needs it.
We’re happy to answer any questions and talk through the programme so get in touch if you would like to chat about it.
Help us learn
Alongside the programme, we are working with Dublin City University to ensure that we can learn from your experiences and continue to improve this programme for other families.
Families who take part in the programme will be invited, but are not required, to take part in this research, which will include:
- Short questionnaires before and after the programme (15-20 mins)
- An optional online focus group after the programme (30-45 mins)
We will give you more information on the research following sign up.