5 Minutes with… Shine Cancer Support

26 March 2025 — jessica-bailey

We spoke with Caroline Soloway, Programme Officer at Shine Cancer Support, to learn about the many various ways they help young adults with cancer to connect and find support, at any stage of their diagnosis. 

Tell us about your organisation? 

Shine Cancer Support is the only UK charity focused on supporting adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who have received a cancer diagnosis – any type of cancer, at any stage. We know that being a young adult with cancer can be isolating and that’s why we create tailored support that meets people where they are before, during, and after treatment.

What services do you offer people living with cancer?

At Shine, we offer a range of ways for young adults with cancer to connect and find support. We run local network meet ups across the UK. These are all run by our volunteers who have had cancer themselves and really get what it’s like to live with a life-threatening diagnosis at a young age. We also run national events like Shine Camp, our annual camping trip, and Shine Connect, the UK’s only conference designed specifically for young adults with cancer.

In addition, we regularly run four different online programmes for people at different stages of their cancer experience. They cover everything from living with uncertainty to relationships with the aim of providing people with a space to process their cancer experiences while also developing tools to help them cope..

Our in-person Shake Ups are day-long workshops across the country that bring people together to share experiences, explore worries, and think about how to tell their stories.

Most importantly, as a patient-led organisation, we work hard to ensure that young adults with cancer play a key role in the delivery and design of all activities.

Do you have a target demographic who use your services? 

Yes! Shine is here for adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who have received a cancer diagnosis. We support anyone in our age group with any cancer, at any stage.

How are you funded? 

Shine is a registered charity that receives no government funding. Therefore, we rely on donations, community fundraising, and grants.

Has anything changed for your organisation since the pandemic?

We’ve changed a lot since 2020!

When the pandemic hit, we moved all of our content online and then developed it for different groups. These programmes – Break Out, Circles, Plus Ones and Reset, have reached almost 500 young adults since we started. And the great thing is that, because they’re online, we can reach even more people across the UK.

Since 2023, we’ve been transitioning back to in-person activities. We hope that anyone diagnosed with cancer in our age group can find something that suits them, whether it’s listening to our podcast, attending an online programme, or going to a local meet up.

What’s the most rewarding thing about the work you do?

It’s seeing the difference that community and peer support make. So many people arrive at their first meet up, programme, or Shake Up feeling nervous or isolated. By the end of the event, they’re laughing, connecting, and feeling less alone. Knowing that Shine has helped someone feel seen and understood is always the most rewarding part of our work.

What would you say to those who are considering getting in touch with you but are nervous or apprehensive?

We’d say that it’s really normal to feel nervous! If you’re not sure about coming to an event, we encourage you to explore Shine in a way that feels right for you – check out our Facebook page, podcast, videos, or website.

If you like what you see, you might want to start with something low-key, like a one-off Shake Up or a local meet-up. There’s no pressure – we want our events to be relaxed, welcoming, and comfortable. If it helps, we’re always happy to have a chat beforehand to give you a sense of what to expect.

Do you have testimonials from people that have used your services?

“Shine helps me feel more normal in not so normal circumstances. Other friends can’t relate and having the chance to come together with people who can is worth more than I can put into words”. – Shine meet up participant

“I felt really supported and validated in hearing other people my age talk about similar experiences or concerns. […] It made me feel a bit less alien […] It’s so easy sometimes to just try and forget, but I think it’s important to […] sit with what I’ve been through. The Reset group has helped me do that in a supportive environment.” – 2024 Reset participant

“Thank you Shine for existing. […] You saved me from a village hall of elderly people and gave me something real to relate to.”

Who works for you?

Shine is led by two Co-CEOs, Ceinwen and Emma, and our small but mighty team of eight staff members. We also have an amazing network of volunteers who help us run meet ups across the country every month.

What are the values of your organisation?

We know that having a cancer diagnosis in one’s 20s, 30s, and 40s can feel incredibly isolating. We’re here to ensure that people don’t feel so alone in this experience.

Our values are:

• Inclusivity: We welcome anyone in their 20s, 30s, or 40s with a cancer diagnosis—any type, any stage, any background.
• Approachability: We believe support should be friendly, down-to-earth, and free from medical jargon. We want Shine to feel like a community, not just a charity.
• Authenticity: We’re patient-led, and we keep it real. People with cancer are at the heart of our work.
• Innovation: As a small charity, we’re agile and responsive. We listen to our community and adapt to their needs.
• Empowerment: We’re not here to tell you what to do—we’re here to help you make the best decisions for you.

And finally, can you describe your organisation in 3 words?

Support through connection!

You can read more about the work of Shine, and find tailored support, by visiting their website at  www.shinecancersupport.org. If you’d like to discover other support services in your area, whatever your age, please search on Cancer Care Map’s homepage using your postcode.