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Resources

By your side: We’re here to listen

Welcome to our Redkite Social Work Series, where our social workers share real-life experiences and insights from families navigating the challenges of a childhood cancer diagnosis.

We know that caring for a child with cancer can feel both lonely and overwhelming – but you’re not alone. At Redkite, we’re here to support you in ways that feel right for you, walking alongside you from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment, and beyond.

As we launch this series, we’re also celebrating World Social Work Day on March 18th.

If there is a topic, you would like us to cover in future interviews, please let us know!

At Redkite, we understand that a childhood cancer diagnosis touches every part of your family’s life. Our approach is based on social work models that recognise each family is unique. We take the time to listen, understand, and provide support that is truly helpful – whether that means having someone to talk to, accessing online resources, offering family or individual counselling, or connecting you with other services.

We believe a cancer diagnosis doesn’t happen in isolation.

  • Hard and confronting questions  
  • Your fears and anxiety
  • Grief over missed experiences
  • Shifts in family roles
  • Changes in friendships
  • The impact on your professional life
  • Challenges in navigating the health system
  • Advocating for your child and other interconnected challenges

Our social workers are here to offer you a safe, non-judgmental space where you can share how you’re feeling and discuss the ups and downs of your experience.

  • Listening in a non-judgmental way
  • Offering information and resources tailored to your family’s needs
  • Helping you navigate changes in family dynamics and providing guidance when discussing cancer with children and siblings
  • Assisting you in accessing additional support services

Simply put, we’re here to help in the way that feels best for you.

“I think what families need most from Redkite’s social work service is real, human connection—someone who truly listens, understands the overwhelm, and meets them with warmth and empathy. Every family’s experience is different, and our role is to listen without judgment, acknowledge their strengths, and work alongside them in whatever way is most helpful to them.

They need support that is person-centred and strengths-based, recognizing their resilience while tailoring support to their needs in a way that works best for them. For some families, this means having a space to talk through worries or navigate the emotional impact of childhood cancer. For others, it’s about practical support, like linking them with financial assistance, referrals, or other services inside and outside Redkite.

Whatever that support looks like, families should feel heard and supported.”

“Families need to feel less alone at a time that can feel so isolating, and a space that offers understanding when the unknown can feel so overwhelming.”

“A safe space where families can be truly open and honest about their experiences without the guilt or anxiety that often comes with sharing personal stories with friends or relatives. Many families hesitate to open up due to the uncertainty of how others will respond, and they often end up comforting the person they were confiding in or encountering unintentional insensitive comments.

We’re able to validate and normalise their emotions and aim to help them find the tools and strategies they need. Along with this, we support them with practical matters too, whether that’s our Financial Assistance, linking them with other support beyond Redkite, helping them access in-home help, or connecting them with organisations like CQ, Canteen, and other key stakeholders.”

“…what families need most is a space to talk to someone who ‘gets it’ but also meets them where they’re at. I hear all the time from parents that they share things they haven’t been able to share with anyone else due to worry about being judged, feeling the other person won’t understand or they may have to manage the other person’s reaction…”

Contact us to find out more about our services or to book a session with our social workers.

Contact Us

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We’re ready to help. Please call us on 1800 REDKITE (Mon – Fri 9am – 7pm AEST), or fill out the form below.

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    Ideas

    7 books to read with your child

    The Redkite Book Club has a great selection of books, for kids to learn about and understand childhood cancer. Below are five books you can read with your child, suggested by our social workers.

    7 books to read with your child

    The Redkite Book Club has a great selection of books, for kids to learn about and understand childhood cancer. Below are five books you can read with your child, suggested by our social workers.

    Ideas

    New Year: Finding balance and new routines

    The new year can bring both challenges and opportunities to explore routines that work best for your family. Below are some strategies you can use from your child’s diagnosis to post treatment.

    New Year: Finding balance and new routines

    The new year can bring both challenges and opportunities to explore routines that work best for your family. Below are some strategies you can use from your child’s diagnosis to post treatment.

    Organising

    Christmas Holiday Shutdown Period

    The myRedkite Portal is where young people with cancer, their families, and those connected to them can access Redkite’s support services.  

    Christmas Holiday Shutdown Period

    The myRedkite Portal is where young people with cancer, their families, and those connected to them can access Redkite’s support services.  

    Man looking at myRedkite on his mobile phone

    Organising

    myRedkite: Your personal access to Redkite services

    The myRedkite Portal is where young people with cancer, their families, and those connected to them can access Redkite’s support services.  

    myRedkite: Your personal access to Redkite services

    The myRedkite Portal is where young people with cancer, their families, and those connected to them can access Redkite’s support services.