The Joshua Tree expansion across Greater Manchester

The Joshua Tree, a charity supporting families of children and young people diagnosed with cancer, is expanding its services across Greater Manchester to bring specialist emotional health and wellbeing support closer to home.

The expansion has been supported by a four-year grant from The Kentown Wizard Foundation and will see a dedicated team launched in Greater Manchester to increase support to local communities.

As part of this expansion, The Joshua Tree will strengthen its relationships with local charities and services, including Kentown Support. By working together, the aim is to complement existing services and ensure families have access to the right support when they need it.

Our CEO Dr Helena Dunbar said:

"We are delighted that The Joshua Tree’s expansion into Greater Manchester will enable

it to reach more children living with cancer. Kentown Support’s community-based

children’s palliative and end-of-life care programme is addressing significant gaps in

provision across Greater Manchester, and we welcome organisations working together

to give families access to a wider range of services. I look forward to seeing families

benefit from what both organisations can offer.”

Rich Driffield, CEO of The Joshua Tree, said:

"This is a hugely significant step in our ambition to ensure that no family faces childhood cancer alone. We already support families across Greater Manchester, and we're hearing clearly that there is a need for more specialist emotional health and wellbeing support delivered locally.

"Thanks to the support of The Kentown Wizard Foundation, we can reach more children, young people and families earlier in their journey and ensure they receive the support they need, when they need it most."

Both Kentown Support and The Joshua Tree will be able to refer families to each other's services where appropriate, widening the support available in Greater Manchester and strengthening valued working relationships.