Introducing your Connect Leadership Team (CLT) for 2020!

Individual sections of this post were written by some of the leaders in the CanTeen Connect Leadership team.

(from @Wanda98-ConnectLeader )

CLT: What does it stand for?

CLT stands for the Connect Leadership Team.

Connect: refers to Canteen Connect, the social platform for young people living with cancer in Australia and New Zealand.

Leadership: the action of leading a group of people or an organization this being Canteen.

Team: two or more people working together

We are made of Connect users who have decided to step into a representative role to help guide the growth of Connect. Canteen was first started by patients who came together and decided that experiencing this change in their lives was easier together. Today it has grown to include young people 12-25 years who are the children of parent/carers and siblings affected by cancer, young people bereaved of their parent/carer/sibling, as well as patients and survivors.

What do we do?

We know what it’s like, and what we need to get through this tough time, so we come together once a month to chat about how we can make the platform better.

We share ideas, experiences and feedback to shape Connect’s services/research, speak up about issues that affect you and your peers to influence decision making, build relationships that facilitate resilience, connection and wellbeing. We develop networks, initiatives and events that resource Canteen to support more young people.

What we don’t do...

Give advice on medical/physical/mental health. We will redirect you to a staff member who will be able to give you that advice.

(from @maddie_payne-ConnectLeader)

How many people are in the CLT, and what cancer experiences are represented?

The CLT consists of about 12 young people, from the ages of 15-25. The leaders are representing many different areas of Australia and New Zealand, which are shown in the image below. Some leaders are survivors of cancer, while others have had loved ones go through cancer or pass away from it.

(from @StrongerTogether-ConnectLeader)

Why is CanTeen Connect important?

Canteen is so important to many people, as it allows young people to be able to reach out and get help. Whether it’s through peer support, or through the counsellor team, online and in person. Young people who have been affected by cancer use Canteen or Connect as a platform to cope while going through their own journey.

It allows us all to be ourselves,

It allows us not to be judged or questioned,

It allows us to find part of ourselves that we thought were had lost,

It allows us to form friendships when we feel like we are alone in the world.

Canteen allows young people to be a voice for not only themselves, but also others.

(from @TheLocalBogan)

Why is Connect Leadership important?

Connect leadership is important to us, as it gives us a chance to get insight into how Canteen works. Leadership also gives us a chance to improve our skills for the future, including for our careers/as a worker.

This opportunity also gives us a deeper understanding of what it's like to help people, and to bring the Connect community together.

(from @AJ-ConnectLeader)

2020 Ideas

During our very first meeting of our leadership group, we came up with many great ideas. We talked a lot about life after cancer, whether it’s an individual, family member, or loss of a family member.

Our ideas include sharing our own stories through forms of media such as videos, podcasts, etc. Another idea that I think is personally important coming into winter is the importance of wearing sunscreen and speaking out about it.

Furthermore, we are very happy to invite other users from the Connect community to give us ideas that are important to them.

(A note from @Cara-Canteen, Leadership Coordinator... )

This incredible team will keep you posted IN THIS DISCUSSION about all of their hard work and updates during 2020. Stay tuned!

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