The Ruth Strauss Foundation is delighted to be working with Something to Look Forward To, so that together we can support families where a parent has incurable cancer to make memories together through special experiences. This project has been developed and funded by the Ruth Strauss Foundation and we are grateful to Something To Look Forward To who are hosting and administering this pilot.

The Ruth Strauss Foundation offers free guidance and support to parents on how to start and continue conversations with their children when a parent has been diagnosed with a cancer that cannot be cured. You can contact our service for support via Additional Support – Ruth Strauss Foundation.

We know that parents and children want to create memories for the future when a parent has cancer that cannot be cured. We also know how important it is to spend quality time together without having to worry about how to pay for it. We hope that by allowing yourselves the time and space to come together as a family, you can engage in open and honest conversations, sharing how each of you is feeling. Through this, you can prepare for the future together, with the belief that your family will get through this current time.

• A family night away at a holiday cottage or hotel at your favourite place
• Tickets to a sports event
• Day out at a theme or adventure park (Peppa Pig World, Legoland, Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, Chessington, Drusilla’s Park etc.) for the family
• Family tickets to a musical/theatre show and dinner after
• A day out to a castle or National Trust property
• A riverboat ride and afternoon tea
• A fun family photoshoot
• At-home indoor family teepee party
• Private chef-catered family dinner at home (if you’re not up to going out)
• Special family dinner at your favourite restaurant or pub

• A parent or primary caregiver has any incurable cancer with no more curative treatment options (you may have treatment to manage the cancer or its symptoms)
• Must live in the UK.
• Must be under a UK hospital or hospice for their care.
• Experience is for a family and not only the adults.
• Your youngest child must be 25 years old or younger.
• The parent with cancer must be alive at the point of making this application.
• We do not fund experiences that involve gambling or fund experiences that involve alcohol only, unless it’s part of a meal.
• Be able to undertake the experience independently or arrange your assistance/support.
• The person with the cancer must be alive at the point of making the application.
• The activity or experience must be within the UK.

Currently, the gifts and experiences are available to any parents who are being supported by the Ruth Strauss Foundation, or live or are being treated within the county of Bedfordshire where we are piloting this offer with the Macmillan Welfare Benefits Team. All applications must be made by this team or the Ruth Strauss Foundation team.

If you are being treated at Bedford Hospital or in the hospice, locally contact the Macmillan Welfare Benefits Team on xxxxxx who can help you make this application.

If you are not under any of these services, please contact andy@somethingtolookforwardto.org.uk who can advise on alternatives that may be available.

If you are under the support of the Ruth Strauss Foundation Family Support Service, one of our team can help you make this application contact us at familysupport@ruthstraussfoundation.com

This section is completed by the Welfare Benefits Team or the Ruth Strauss Foundation who will sit with you and complete this section with your details including verification of your diagnosis.

The parent/person requesting this gift will complete this form with details of the experience you want to undertake.

Complete the form with as much detail as you can and ‘Something To Look Forward To’ will be in touch with you when they receive your completed application and can help you further with any areas you are unsure of.