It’s hard to believe that we’re heading into Autumn. Things at Flynne’s Barn have been developing at quite a pace. We’ve welcomed 15 groups for residential stays so far this year and will be hosting five more in the run up to the end of the year. That will be 250 young people supported through residentials and counselling during 2025.
Volunteers and Peer Support
We’re thrilled that our volunteer base has grown significantly over the past year. From helping during stays to supporting behind the scenes, our volunteers bring talent and commitment. Their contributions are woven into the fabric of Flynne’s Barn and we’re so grateful for all that they do.
It’s wonderful to see young people who have accessed support continuing to be part of the community through volunteering. When visitors see someone further along in their recovery journey actively supporting others, it sends a strong message – that they’re not alone. This shared journey fosters connection, trust, and a sense of belonging that is at the heart of everything we do.
We also have a growing base of local volunteers who are inspired by our community and bring solidarity and enthusiasm. Thank you to everyone who’s getting involved.
Community Stay
Back in March we hosted our first Community Stay inviting young volunteers to engage in a working weekend, sharing their insights into the Flynne’s Barn ethos and thinking about next steps for the charity. Everyone’s contributions were perceptive and thoughtful, giving us much to focus on. The overriding sentiment was how young people want to stay connected with each other and with Flynne’s Barn. We’ll be exploring ways of developing our ongoing community programme for 2026 and beyond.
Camp & Climb Stay
This summer we delivered a ‘bespoke’ Camp & Climb stay where everyone attending was interested in developing climbing skills and up for a little more physical challenge. Our Youth Coordinator, Jenny, organised a fantastic programme aimed at developing beginner climbing skills, starting indoors and progressing onto an outdoor rock climb. Everyone enjoyed pitching camp in the meadow field, although the pheasants with their early morning wake up calls proved too much for some of us! It was fantastic to see the group challenge themselves. For some it rekindled a love of climbing and for others offered a taste of new and exciting ways to develop physical strength and embrace the outdoors.
In 2026 we’ll be exploring ways to offer more adventure in a safe and supportive context. There’s already talk of a hike and wild camp experience.
Immersed in Nature
Connecting with nature is a central part of what we offer. The clear link between spending time in green/blue spaces and improved mental and physical wellbeing runs through the Flynne’s Barn experience. From hiking and forest walks to canoeing and creative exploration of our meadow restoration project, visitors to Flynne’s Barn are immersed in the rich flora and fauna of the valley. They also have the chance to learn about our tree nursery, forage in the wild, and discover the rhythms of the natural world throughout the seasons.
Story Telling, Bushcraft & Creativity
We offer a wide range of experiences during a stay – there’s something for everyone. Two new highlights from this year have been Traditional Tales with Jessie McMeekin and Bushcraft Skills with Justin from Mountain Memories. Jessie has treated us to an impressive array of folktales derived from northern Europe, many of which have local Cumbrian roots. There’s something magical about being swept away with stories of adventure around the campfire, with candles flickering, swallows darting in the late summer sky and the mountains all around. The best thing is that we leave our screens/phones behind!
Justin has introduced us to a whole mix of methods for den building and making fire from scratch. It’s brilliant to see the sheer delight when someone gets their fire going. There’s always a good dose of competition in these sessions too!
Recent groups have also engaged in reflective writing and creative workshops with Jordan Worsfold and Demi Paaske. It’s been valuable to have space and time to reflect and find ways of processing emotions. Many groups have designed journals to take home and continue using.
Partnerships
Our network is growing, and we were delighted to welcome the Ella Dawson Foundation here with a group of young women in July. The weather was great, and we had a wonderful time of connection, creativity and adventure. It was also an opportunity for us to explore ways for our charities to work together.
We continue to partner with the amazing Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust to bring young people to the mountains. It’s a collaboration built on shared expertise, united by the aligned mission and values of both organisations. Of course, it carries deep emotional weight—Flynne loved her sailing trips with the Trust and in many ways the Trust’s work was part of the inspiration for Flynne’s Barn.
Through this year we will have welcomed groups supported by Teenage Cancer Trust teams from treatment centres in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leicester, Leeds, London (North & South Thames networks), Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield. The enormous value of these Partnership Stays is that young people are coming with trusted hospital staff who have supported them throughout their treatment. Through collaboration we’re able to bring young people to the barn who may need additional medical support to attend a stay safely. For many, this offers an invaluable window of calm—a chance to pause, reset, and reconnect amidst the ongoing challenges of treatment.
Trustees
We have welcomed five new Trustees this year. Anne Mills, an award-winning director and nurse professional, helped to strengthen governence and the trustee team before recently handing on the Chair position to Lizzie Overton. Lizzie is an educationalist with a wealth of senior leadership expertise. Tracy Chapman, a chartered accountant with significant senior financial management experience, is now Flynne’s Barn’s Treasurer. Matty Owen brings lived experience and a much valued young person’s perspective to the Board. We are also delighted to have recently welcomed Julie Cain, the Teenage Cancer Trust’s National Lead Nurse for Scotland. Together with long-standing trustees, Kat, Laura and Rich, Flynne’s Barn is in excellent hands. See here for full details.
Staff
We are so pleased to welcome Amy Hall onto the team. Amy is our new Fundraising Lead and will be working to raise income, enabling us to expand our work and reach more young people. Sam Massey has also joined as a sessional youth worker supporting residentials. Sam brings empathy, creativity and we just love her aromatherapy sessions! Great to have you both on board, Amy and Sam!
Fundraising and Events
Booths Charity of the Year 2025/26
We’re thrilled to have been voted Keswick Booths Supermarket charity of the year for 2025/26. As well as bringing in much needed funds, it will help raise our profile in the region at a time when our project is developing rapidly. There’s a second-hand book stall situated in the Keswick store which we’re working hard to keep stocked up. If you have any books to donate, please drop them off in-store, or let us know and we can find a way of getting them there.
Cards
We now have Flynne’s Barn greetings cards in stock. They’re prints of a stunning watercolour painting by Paul Bonner (See image at top). It features Nell on the lane to Thorneythwaite Farm with the iconic mountain Base Brown in the background. Thank you, Paul, for turning your talents to this. We love the cards and will be selling them at events and on our website in due course. If you’d like to buy some cards please email katherine@flynnesbarn.org.
Glaramara Fell Race, May
We appreciate the ongoing support from the Glaramara Fell Runners. It’s always inspiring to see the runners setting off through the yard by the barn, whizzing up a mountain and returning down in ridiculously quick times. Thanks everyone for supporting Flynne’s Barn.
Project 200, July
Flynne’s Barn friend Ethan Bird took on an epic challenge this summer, running 200 miles along the West Highland Way in 5 days in support of our community. Ethan even summited Ben Nevis en-route. It was a tough challenge for sure, and he totally knocked it out of the park. Thank you, Ethan, for raising the funds and taking on such a mega challenge.
Barnfest ’25, July
In July we held our first Barnfest in the newly revamped Bank Barn. We had a weekend of wild, wet Borrowdale weather. Friends gathered from far and wide, and we were treated to performances from an array of talented performers: singer-songwriters, musicians, a storyteller, old time music, folk, jazz and trad Irish tunes, a premier theatre piece and more. It was a gathering full of love, a coming together of many wonderful folk in support of the young cancer community. Thank you to everyone who contributed in so many ways: a collective effort which raised over £6,000
The Wild Returning Album Launch, August
Friend of Flynne’s Barn JP Worsfold held his album launch here, together with Anne Marie Sanderson and with support from Sam Brockett. It was another evening of magical music in the barn, charged with soul and emotion. Jordan and artist, Demi Paaske held a raffle in aid of Flynne’s Barn. Thank you to all who came and contributed.
Borrowdale Fell Race, August
The committee for the Borrowdale Fell Race made a generous donation to Flynne’s Barn this year. Your support is always appreciated and it’s inspiring to see the challenges participants take on in this wild landscape.
The Great North Run, September
We had five fabulous runners taking on the Great North Run this year. Gabriella, Kate, Luke, Rich and Zach did an awesome job and all spoke of what a spectacular and moving event it is with over 50,000 runners running for so many causes close to their hearts. Thank you to each of you for your efforts and to everyone who sponsored them.
Upcoming event, 2nd October 2025
Water Rats Pub, Kings Cross, London
There’s about to be a great night of music at The Water Rats. Accelerator, Emperor Penguin and Jem Housden are combining forces to bring you a memorable night to raise funds for Flynne’s Barn. Come along if you’re in the London area.
All in all
We’d like to thank everyone for your continued support and interest in the work we do. There’s no denying that the funding climate is tougher in recent times. As a small charity we need to work hard to continue to deliver our services and be there for more young people facing a cancer diagnosis.
If you haven’t already, please consider helping us to make a greater impact by becoming a regular donor. Collectively, each of us giving a small amount can make all the difference. Together, we can provide the support that young people living with cancer need at such a pivotal point in their lives.
“The impact of Flynne’s Barn on my life has been huge. What I find beneficial is knowing that when it’s hard or I’m struggling and feeling anxious I have this community that’s there rooting for me”. Mila, July 2025
We’re looking forward to what’s next
With best wishes