A Maidstone Hospital ward has been brightened up with the help of Teenage Cancer Trust to create a more welcoming environment for young people battling the disease.

Improvements to the Lord North Ward include rejuvenating a quiet room and adding a sofa, armchair and fridge so patients have a relaxing space to socialise with family and friends when not in treatment.

Colourful artwork has also been installed on the walls to help transport youngsters away from the clinical environment.

The changes are designed to hugely improve the hospital’s atmosphere for teenagers and young adults going through, often lengthy, cancer treatment and will create a more homely, social feel, 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.

Regional fundraising manager for the south east, Helen Farquharson, 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.”

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