Fruit Fly Collective

Supporting parents, and their children and families, when a parent is diagnosed with cancer.

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

The Most Exciting News. We have been awarded a 5yr grant from @TNLComFund to support more parents diagnosed & impacted by cancer.
We’ve got some exciting new projects to try, & we can scale the projects we’ve tested that have been hugely successful. Amazing Xmas present to us!

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

Kids often want to help at home. Giving them jobs can help them feel included and a valued member of the family. Sit down with them and decide what is age appropriate.
#christmashelping #parentingwithcancer #mumswithcancer #dadswithcancer #familiesaffectedbycancer

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

The act of helping others blooms at Christmas time so ask for help. It makes people feel good and warm inside. Ask friends and family to do things for you, from domestic stuff to bringing the sparkle to you and your kids.
And remember don’t feel guilty about asking.

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

Give your children, and family, an idea of how much energy you have by simply saying a number. Fill in the battery score from 1-5 with things you can cope with, tell your family, and remind them that energy levels fluctuate throughout the day and week.

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

Parents feel guilty about not have the energy to play with their children or not being able to take them to places because they have no energy. In reality, most children just want their parents’ attention & love. So, if you can connect with them 2 minutes a day you're winning.

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

Next free coaching programme, please register on our website https://t.co/GfVvBCaWkl

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

Our Parenting with Cancer coaching programme signific. improves parent’s mental wellbeing. Parents were more satisfied & happier in their parental role · Felt less stressed with their kids · Worried less about not doing enough for their kids · More confident
Next one in Feb

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

Free 1 hr online training for anyone supporting a parent with cancer. Lots of practical tips and resources, as well as how to talk to kids about cancer and how to support them. Next session: Mon 18th Nov at 9am. Please share.
https://t.co/FAegpGcHKn

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

Last month I had the privilege of hanging out with @WondersnWorries for three weeks as a part of my @ChurchillFship. I was a guest on their podcast series designed for parents who are seriously ill. I really recommend This resource to professionals too. https://t.co/ANhDMlM9dw

[Fortis Trust @FortisTrust]

Fruitfly Collective is an approved programme which aims to help Parents/Carers who have received a diagnosis of cancer, helping them to navigate family life & to support their children after a cancer diagnosis.

@FruitflyC #CancerSupport
https://t.co/NqAlkoQzwL

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

We’re here today at the National Bowel Cancer Nursing Network put together by @bowelcancerUK We’re showcasing our support for parents diagnosed with bowel cancer and talking to bowel nursing teams about the support we can offer and how they can access it for their patients.

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

Sending out coaching kits for this term's Parenting with Cancer Coaching Programme. Link for the next programme will be up on the website soon (or DM us and we can put you on the waiting list).

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

New website - combining Fruitfly Collective and Parenting with Cancer websites (both domains still active). Support for parents diagnosed with cancer under one roof. Please share and explore
https://t.co/pWqNdkPzwn

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

🙌 to the organisations @OsborneTrust @MummysStar @RuthStraussFdn @MaggiesCentres @BreastCancerNow @LOHA_health @ShineCancerSupp who had stands.
Data shoes and increase understanding around the effects of parental cancer on the patient, their children and their family🙌

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

The graphic facilitator, Emma Paxton (for @ScarletDesignGr ) captured the event beautifully. Email/DM if you’d like a pdf copy of it.
Feedback was so positive and reflected the day. Here are a few quotes.
Thanks to our sponsors @macmillancancer @RMPartnersNHS

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

Lev was incredible, and he gave a voice to all those children who rarely get heard ♥️

[Josh Cass @js_cass]

Being part of the #ParentingwithCancer project was such a positive experience, and for my eldest be given the opportunity to talk about his mum in front of supportive professionals (plus his brother and grandparents) meant the world.

#gratitude
#bereavement
#parenting

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

Session 5 of the conference focused on Parenting in Palliative Care, and session 6 looked at new practices that support parents and can easily be embedded in cancer care. @js_cass @semple_cherith @MuddledDaddy @StJoHospice @ApartOfMeApp @RuthStraussFdn @BreastCancerNow

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

Session 3 explored ‘Life as a Family’ - the challenges that arises when a parent is diagnosed, and session 4 explored ‘Life Outside of the Family’ – looking for support from schools and orgs.
@MaggiesCentres @RuthStraussFdn
@ShineCancerSupp
@osbornetrust14 @MuddledDaddy

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the space and time to finally absorb the impact of our Parenting with Cancer conference held in May.
Sessions 1 & 2. @LOHA_health @BackPocketTeach

[Fruit Fly Collective @FruitflyC]

Really important research being undertaken @QUBelfast exploring children's perspectives around parental cancer.

If you can help, please contact Lydia ([email protected])

#parentalcancer #kidsaffectedbyparentalcancer #parentingwithcancer