The SPARK project

Could you help with a national study looking at the emotional and spiritual care of young people and their families?

Researchers at the University of York have asked us to share information about The SPARK Project, looking at the emotional and spiritual care of children and young people living with a serious medical condition, including cancer, and their families.

Background

Having a life-threatening or life-shortening condition is an extremely challenging experience and raises troubling questions in people's minds. Having the chance to explore these thoughts and feelings, and to feel valued and supported, are core elements of what is known as pastoral and spiritual care. Anyone, religious or not, may have pastoral and spiritual needs. For some, support to practice religious beliefs is also important. Not meeting these needs causes additional suffering. Yet we know that needs may not be not recognised or attended to.

At the moment, we know very little about how to meet the pastoral, spiritual and religious needs of children and young people diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-shortening condition, and their parents.

Aim of The SPARK project

The aim of this study is to gather evidence the NHS and children's hospices can use to guide how they meet these needs, including the role of chaplaincy services (sometimes called pastoral and spiritual care services). It will also explore how chaplaincy services can support clinical and care teams involved in the care of these children and young people.

The project will be making recommendations to the NHS on meeting families’ emotional and spiritual needs. 

Read more: The SPARK Project

How you can help

A key part of the project is hearing from parents of children (0-18 years) currently being treated for cancer, and parents whose child has been treated for cancer in the past (and the child no older than 25 years).  Taking part involves speaking to a researcher on a Zoom video call, by phone or they can visit you.  

Find out more

If you would like to find out more, please contact the research team:

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