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Sarah Turner and J’nae Christopher are assistant psychologists within Health in Mind at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. They explain that for a child going through treatment, to be given choice and control over even seemingly small things, can be of real value.

Karen and Andrew Phillips were inspired to establish their own charity after their son Harry was helped through his treatment for leukaemia by a special aid. Here, Karen tells us more.

Shielding...a term unknown until March 2020! Tash Larcombe, whose nine-year-old son, Finley, has leukaemia, writes on what shielding has been like for her and her family.

Alexander Clarke was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma aged 19, meaning he was old enough to make his own treatment choices. His mum Denise describes how he helped lessen their worries by involving them throughout, even when there were no further treatment options left for him.

Dr Vikki Langford, Clinical Psychologist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, explains some of the factors involved in making decisions and offers advice and guidance on the process.

Theatremaker Toby Peach tells us about his new project in collaboration with Carmen, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour aged 7.

Eating well during treatment is really important as a well-nourished child is able to cope better with their treatment and fight infection. It will also help their body repair healthy body tissues that have been damaged by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. By Louise Henry, Paediatrics Senior Specialist Dietitian at Royal Marsden

When I agreed to write this column in this edition of Contact, themed on ‘Choices’, I thought it would be easy. But it wasn’t – just like the choices that families have to make.