Oscar's Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity
Support & care
How we help: Brain tumour support
Support & Care
Family Support Scheme: We fund varied support, such as physiotherapy sessions and mental health sessions. We aim to tailor our provision to your needs
Booster Boxes: Our thoughtfully-chosen Booster Boxes provide some cheer during challenging times. Filled with goodies and essentials tailored to a child’s favourite things, these boxes bring smiles and comfort to children and their families. These are also available for siblings as we know they go through a tough time too. See more below.
Personalised Advice: Our experienced team offers personalised advice, guiding families through complex decisions related to treatment, education, and emotional well-being. We’re here to ensure that every family is equipped with the information they need to make the best choices for their child.
School Support: Advice, resources and just being there for staff and pupils at schools affected by childhood brain tumours.
How we Help
We're by your side
Information Pages: Our extensive information pages help guide families through complex decisions related to diagnosis, treatment and beyond. We’re here to ensure that every family is equipped with the information they need to make the best choices for their child.
Connecting Families: We foster connections by bringing families in similar situations together. This shared understanding creates a strong support system where experiences are shared, advice is given, and bonds are formed.
Support Network: We’re here to be a constant pillar of strength. Our support network provides families with a safe space to share experiences, challenges, and triumphs. We understand the emotional journey, and through our connections, families find solace in knowing they’re not alone.
Bringing a smile with our
Booster Boxes
OSCAR’s Booster Boxes provide a pick-me-up for children with brain tumours as well as for their siblings. We provide a box full of thoughtful, personalised gifts tailored to the child and their interests that can make them feel better, can put a big smile on their face, keep them busy and bring a little extra joy in difficult times.
We sent out our first Booster Boxes at the end of 2022 and the children who received them were “over-the-moon” with their “most amazing gift boxes”.
Most importantly, we were told the boxes “couldn’t have come at a better time”, which shows even though they may seem like something small, they can mean so much.
Find out more about Booster Boxes here.
If you are interested in a Booster Box for your child(ren), then please get in touch with either Phil or Rachel from our family support team via email: info@oscarscharity.org
here when you need us
Personalised Guidance
Our experienced team offers personalised guidance, supporting families through complex decisions related to treatment, education, and emotional well-being. We’re here to ensure that every family is equipped with the information they need to make the best choices for their child.
We understand that every family’s experience is different, which is why our brain tumour support focuses on personalised advice. Our dedicated team works closely with you to understand information from your child’s medical team on treatment decisions, access educational resources, and support emotional wellbeing, all tailored to your unique circumstances.
By offering expert knowledge alongside heartfelt support, we ensure every family feels confident and equipped to face the challenges ahead. Whether offering practical advice or a listening ear, we aim to empower families with the tools and understanding to make the best choices for their child.
“You are amazing and provide the best support. Thankful always for everything you do for George, but also for constantly being a listening ear,
no matter the time of day! 🧡”
George’s mum
we provide
- Personalised guidance tailored to your family’s unique circumstances
- Support on understanding and navigating treatment options
- Compassionate care and advice to help manage emotional wellbeing for the whole family
- Support in accessing further resources for your child’s needs
- A listening ear
- Practical advice to empower families to make informed decisions
- Resources to share with friends and family, helping them understand and support your journey
connecting you
Support network
We’re here to be a constant pillar of strength. Our support provides families with a safe space to share experiences, challenges, and triumphs. We understand the emotional journey, and through our connections, families find solace in knowing they’re not alone.
Our Charity Manager can often put you in touch with parents in similar situations – creating a support network. A support network is more than a place to connect—it’s a lifeline for families navigating the complex challenges of a brain tumour diagnosis. We’re here to ensure no one feels left behind during this journey.
how we can help you
- 1-2-1 support
- Messaging support at any time of day
- Peer support with other parents/guardians going through the same thing
- Phone calls and check-ins whenever you need them
- Compassionate guidance on accessing practical resources
- Advice on navigating the healthcare system
Because our service is tailored to each individual and family, we can help you meet your unique needs.
“You really don’t know how much it means that in the darkest of times there is someone there for you.“
Sarah, Amelia’s mum
ongoing support
This can be a lifeline for families navigating the complex challenges of a brain tumour diagnosis. We offer compassionate guidance, helping families access practical resources and tailored advice to meet their unique needs. Whether through one-on-one support, someone to message at any time of the day, connecting with other parents or simply being available at the other end of the telephone, we’re here to ensure no one feels left behind during this journey.
By fostering connections among families who share similar experiences, we create an empowering community that uplifts and strengthens families. Together, we navigate the ups and downs, celebrating triumphs and sharing comfort in difficult times.
“It’s charities like OSCAR’s that make such a difference to families like ours going through a horrible situation, giving a little hope and light when things are bad.”
Naomi, Orla’s mum
TELL US WHAT YOU NEED
Family Support Scheme
Different situations require different help so we talk to our families about pressing needs and how best we can help them.
Previous examples of help have included a summer of physio for a young survivor of a brain tumour to help develop his ability to walk before he started pre-school as well as mental health support for a teenager suffering from the anxiety of living with a brain tumour.
We also work closely with families to identify resources that provide both immediate and long-term support. Whether it’s arranging specialised therapy, assisting with educational needs, or offering emotional guidance, our goal is to tailor our brain tumour support to make a meaningful difference in each unique situation.
Our team is here to listen, understand, and act. By building a personalised plan of support, we aim to ease the burden on families and ensure that they feel empowered to navigate the challenges ahead with confidence and hope.
we help by
Connecting Families
We foster connections by bringing families in similar situations together.
This shared understanding creates a strong support system where experiences are shared, advice is given, and bonds are formed.
“We let families know they are not alone – we show them there is hope.”
Marie Hughes, mum of Oscar and Milo
How do we connect families?
We provide:
- Opportunities to connect with other parents and families in similar situations, creating a network of shared understanding
- A safe space to exchange stories, advice, and personal experiences
- Peer support that fosters emotional reassurance and practical guidance
- Connections to families who have navigated similar challenges, offering hope and perspective
- Access to a compassionate community that grows stronger through shared bonds
By bringing families together, we ensure no one feels alone and everyone has the support they need to face this journey with strength and hope.
We understand the strength that comes from shared experiences. We connect families who are facing similar challenges, creating a safe and understanding space to share stories, offer advice, and build lasting relationships.
By fostering these connections, we enable families to draw strength from one another. This sense of community provides not only practical support but also emotional reassurance, reminding every family that they are not alone on this journey. Together, we create a network of hope, empathy, and mutual understanding.
“Being able to speak to someone in the same situation, or has been in the same position as you, is invaluable.”
extensive
Information Pages
Our extensive information pages help guide families through complex decisions related to diagnosis, treatment and beyond. We’re here to ensure that every family is equipped with the information they need to make the best choices for their child.
“We have found OSCAR’s Charity and their website a huge support. We’ve used it as a tool for family and friends to have an idea of some of what our baby girl has to go through and for them to gain knowledge on some of the treatment she may have to go through in future.”
Megan, mum of Immie
Please note, these information pages are specific to childhood brain tumours and childhood brain tumours only; so families can find all the relevant information in one place. Please access these information pages here:
Our information pages provide clarity during what can often feel like an overwhelming time. From understanding diagnosis details to exploring treatment options, they’re designed to break down complex topics into clear, understandable insights. Families can trust these resources to help them feel informed and confident in their decisions.
We also give guidance for what to expect in a consultation, who might be involved in your care team. Plus suggestions on what questions to ask of your consultant, and more.
Beyond just facts, our pages also offer guidance for life beyond the hospital – covering emotional wellbeing, family dynamics, and recovery. With a focus on empowerment and support, they ensure that every family has the tools to navigate their unique journey with hope and knowledge.
“Times have been hard as I imagine you know, but you have made everyone so happy. We can’t explain how much OSCAR’s have made a difference.
It’s the first time Amelia’s smiled in a while – as she is in pain – but you all have smashed it with her.“
School Support
Helping your child's community
Our staff have lived experience of looking after children with brain tumours in school, seeing how it affects the children themselves, their siblings, families, classmates, staff and the wider community. We use our empathetic approach to advise on how to deal with a range of matters: we’ve been in that position and know how it feels.
We also offer assemblies and workshops tailored to a school’s needs. More information about all we offer can be found on our schools page.
Do you need any help or assistance?
Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting children and families affected by paediatric brain tumours. We provide emotional support, educational resources, and raise awareness about this condition to improve early detection and ensure that children receive the best possible care and support.
There are several ways to get involved with our charity. You can participate in fundraising events, volunteer your time and skills, become an advocate for paediatric brain tumour awareness, or make a donation to support our initiatives. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference in the lives of the children we serve.
OSCAR’s Charity provides a range of services to support families facing paediatric brain tumours. We offer emotional and psychosocial support, assistance with schooling concerns, community outreach and education, and information about additional resources to help families navigate their journey with care and compassion.
Donating to OSCAR’s Charity is easy and can be done securely through our website. Simply click on the “Donate” button and follow the instructions. Your generous contributions enable us to continue our mission of providing vital support and funding research for paediatric brain tumours.
Funds raised by OSCAR’s Charity are used to support a variety of initiatives, including emotional and practical support for families, educational programs, awareness campaigns, research funding, and improving access to resources for children with brain tumours and their families.
Yes, families can nominate a child for assistance from our charity. Please reach out to us through the “Contact Us” page on our website, and we will be in touch to discuss the nomination process and how we may be able to provide support.
While we have a global outreach, OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity is based in York, North Yorkshire, and we support children and families across the UK. However, our educational resources and online support are available to anyone around the world.
Yes, donations made to OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. You will receive a tax receipt for your contribution to claim deductions where applicable.
Absolutely! We encourage families and individuals to share their stories with us. By sharing your experiences, you can inspire others and raise awareness about the challenges faced by children with brain tumours. Please reach out to us, and we would be honoured to hear your story.
To stay informed about our latest events, news, and initiatives, you can subscribe to our newsletter through our website. Additionally, follow us on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, where we regularly post updates about our activities and ways to get involved.
You Can't Find What You Need? We Would Love To Help You!
How we help
AWARENESS
Raising Awareness: We’re passionate about spreading awareness. Our efforts extend to schools, colleges, and businesses, where we engage in assemblies and workshops. By working closely with such places, we ensure that paediatric brain tumours are understood, recognised, and acknowledged by the people they could affect.
Signs and Symptoms: We’re reaching out to schools, parents, and communities to provide easily accessible knowledge that helps individuals to identify signs and symptoms to aid early diagnosis.
Collaboration with Other Charities: Our mission is bolstered by collaboration. We work hand in hand with other brain tumour and childhood cancer charities, pooling resources and expertise to maximise our collective impact. Together, we’re a formidable force for change.
