“The charity was set up in 2015 by husband and wife Fiona and Andy following Fiona’s breast cancer diagnosis which became incurable. They learn first hand the importance of having ‘Something To Look Forward To’ when navigating cancer surgery, treatment and waiting for scan results. They also experienced the hidden price tag that comes hand in hand with a cancer diagnosis. Fiona dedicated the last 6 years of her life to improving the lives of other families affected by cancer before she sadly passed away in 2021. The charity is now led by Andy and Fiona’s daughter Francesca in Fiona’s memory.”
“The aim of ‘Something To Look Forward To’ is to help people affected by cancer feel better, worry less, and recover by providing them with donated uplifting gifts and experiences. Our holistic approach is designed to help beneficiaries focus on rest, recovery, and positive memory-making, recognising that well-being is integral to coping with cancer and its effects. Our support extends to family members and carers and we help ease the financial strain that comes when illness affects work and income. The charity’s aims are rooted in giving those affected by cancer poverty moments of respite, relief and reconnection, to counter the emotional, financial, and physical strain of the illness.”
“We are a web based service and all applications for our donated gifts and experiences can be made here: https://somethingtolookforwardto.org.uk/
We provide a range of gifts and experiences including restaurant meals, spa breaks, cottage holidays, special family days and complimentary therapies.
We support people of any age, with any cancer diagnosis across the UK from the point they are diagnosed up to one year after their last active treatment or major surgery.
Those living with a secondary or terminal diagnosis receiving ongoing prioritised support.”
“We offer a range of gifts and experiences including week long cottage holidays, restaurant meals, spa breaks, hotel stays, tickets to events and special family days. We also provide complimentary therapies and tangible gifts which can be sent anywhere in the UK.”
“A cancer diagnosis changes life for the whole family and can feel like a very scary, worrying time. My advice is to allow yourself to accept help, whether that’s emotional support, practical assistance, or a small gift or experience to give you ‘Something To Look Forward To’. Try to plan and prioritise moments of respite with your loved ones (however small) because making positive memories outside of the hospital environment is so important. Don’t be afraid to talk openly about how the illness is affecting you all and remember that looking after your emotional wellbeing is as important as your physical wellbeing. If finances are tight, seek out services and charities like ours that can ease the burden and bring positive moments into your lives. Above all, know you are not alone, there’s a huge community out there ready to support you.”
“In the last 10 years we have provided over £2 Million of gifts and experiences to over 40,000 people affected by cancer poverty including patients, carers and family members.”
“Having something to look forward to sounds a simple enough idea…something nice after you’ve had a rough time. But it is much more than that. After more than a year of worry, stress, pain, anxiety and sadness, having something to look forward to helps you to have positive emotions again, and helps you re-learn to experience joy.
After so long of feeling detached from the world around you, it helps you to find your place again. The kindness shown by your charity and your donors, in doing this for us, helps us feel supported on our journey with cancer.”
“After using your service, I felt genuinely uplifted and reconnected to life. The break gave me us something so rare these days; space to breathe, to laugh, and to feel like ourselves again. Just having the chance to get away from the constant medical appointments and daily worries made such a difference. Being in a new place, surrounded by nature and peace, helped me feel more like “me”; not just someone living with cancer or sight loss, but a person who still deserves rest, happiness, and moments of joy. It reminded me that life can still offer good things, even now. I came back feeling lighter, calmer, and more hopeful. The break didn’t just give us a change of scene; it gave us a boost we both really needed.”
“We were gifted a holiday away to a beautiful farmhouse in Port Isaac which I was fortunate enough to receive the day after my radiation finished and two weeks before my next lot of chemotherapy begins. The break gave me a week to be my normal self. I got to be with my family doing wonderful daily activities. Not every moment was laced with some cancer related undertone. It was wonderful. The boys smiled every day. It was good for us all. We got to make a bunch of memories and equally as important we spent quiet uninterrupted time together.”
A big thank you to Something To Look Forward To for spreading kindness and taking the time to share more about their work, supporting people affected by cancer.
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