Psychosocial program

The Young People Without Limits project is dedicated to providing emotional support for young cancer survivors as they transition from treatment back to life. This initiative aims to help these young individuals process and heal from the experience of battling cancer, empowering them to navigate their post-treatment journey with resilience and confidence.

In Europe, there are over 500,000 childhood cancer survivors, a testament to the advancements in medical treatment and care. However, the emotional challenges they face are often overlooked. To address this, many countries have established survivor groups to provide peer support, share experiences, and promote long-term well-being.

In the first phase of the Young People Without Limits project, we successfully established the first survivor group in Serbia, offering a safe space for those who have fought cancer to connect and share their stories. This group has become a vital resource, helping survivors cope with the emotional aftermath of treatment.

Building on this success, the project has expanded its reach to include young people aged 16 to 18. We continue to offer support and foster a community where survivors can gain strength from each other and move forward in their lives with the support they need.

The ultimate goal of the Young People Without Limits project is to ensure that all young cancer survivors in Serbia and beyond have the resources, emotional support, and sense of belonging to thrive after their cancer journey.

The Children and Young People Without Limits initiative offers monthly workshops designed to support young people who have completed cancer treatment. These workshops address psychological and emotional challenges they face as they transition to life after treatment. Led by psychologist Jelena Vulić and pedagogist Katarina Jovčić, both experienced psychotherapists, the workshops provide a safe space for self-discovery, emotional healing, and the development of resilience.

From September 2022 to July 2023, 11 workshops took place, each lasting two hours. Throughout this time, young participants navigated the complexities of their health journey, gaining new insights and coping skills. Nine of these sessions were held at the Vračar Youth Center, and four took place in the peaceful setting of Golija mountain during a summer camp.

Jelena and Katarina skillfully created a nurturing environment that encouraged the participants to explore their identities, build psychological resilience, and foster self-acceptance. The workshops became important milestones in their lives, providing them with the strength and tools to adapt to life beyond treatment.

As a result of this initiative, the participants formed their own independent group of young cancer survivors—Survivors Serbia: Cancer Reapers.

The overall goal of this project is to empower the participants to confront emotional challenges and promote self-advocacy. By giving them a platform to speak up and share their stories, we aim to inspire lasting change and help young people develop life skills that will carry them through future challenges.

Every year, approximately 350 children in Serbia get diagnosed with cancer. Out of the 350 children, significant number of children come from smaller towns and villages, and are required to access medical treatment in Belgrade, capital of Serbia.

Having to move to Belgrade for the duration of the treatment, most families encounter substantial challenges when it comes to securing appropriate accommodation. Escalating property prices have exacerbated the situation, making renting an apartment nearly insurmountable. Moreover, the income disparities between the capital and the outskirts of Serbia further complicate matters, making it impossible for families to afford accommodation near the Institute for Oncology and Radiology where the treatment is provided.

This financial strain can result in families not having the means to support their children in undergoing essential treatment, hence contributing to higher rates of treatment abandonment.

For the past three decades, the Association “Always with The Children” has been dedicated to offering support to young people grappling with malignant diseases. Recognizing this pressing need, the Association “Always with The Children” introduced the “Parents Corner” project in 2018 to provide suitable and free of cost accommodation for families in need.

One of our plans for the future is to buy an apartment that would be located near the Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia. To fulfill our goal, we organize events in order to raise funds for the project.

While we work on the mission, we rented an apartment at Smiljanićeva 6/1/5. The apartment 104 m2 large and it is 10minute walk away from the Institute.  Children and parents can use this apartment free of charge for the duration of the treatment, and they can also access psychological support. Experience from other countries shows that having access to free accommodation greatly contributes to lower numbers of treatment abandonment, hence contributing to number of children who can undergo the required treatment.

Application form for the Parent’s corner can be found here. Please fill it in and send it to our email address at office@sadecom.org.rs. You can also see our permission for accessing Parent’s Corner, as well as our Service Contract.