Teenage Cancer Trust has funded bright, bold improvements to the Lord North Ward at Maidstone Hospital, to create a welcoming environment for young people with cancer.

Improvements to the Lord North Ward include rejuvenating a quiet room, adding in a sofa, armchair and fridge so that patients have a relaxing space away to socialise with family and friends when they are not in treatment. Enhancements also include installing colourful artwork on the walls to transport young people away from the clinical environment.

These changes will hugely improve the hospital’s atmosphere for teenagers and young adults going through, often lengthy, cancer treatment. The improvements will create a more homely, social environment, helping to combat isolation and loneliness.

Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity providing specialist nursing care to the 2,500 young people diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year.

Helen Farquharson, Teenage Cancer Trust Regional Fundraising Manager for the South East said: “We’re delighted with the outcome of this work, which has transformed an area of Maidstone Hospital into a bright, welcoming environment for young people with cancer.  This kind of age-appropriate setting significantly improves a young person’s experience of cancer by making them feel more relaxed and less isolated.

“Teenage Cancer Trust relies 100 per cent on voluntary donations, so we need your help to fund our services to ensure that we can support the 25 to 30 young people diagnosed with cancer every year in Kent.”