11/01/2020
Find out more about this at Liverpool 2020
is all about giving people who've been on Trust trips the platform to tell their stories in their own words. Last summer Ayala returned to enjoy a second trip from our base on the Isle of Wight. She explains why she feels the benefit in returning for more trips, and how the confidence she gained helped with her first job.
“When you meet new people, it feels weird to keep your cancer secret, but here everyone already knows and understands each other. It's nice to have friendships where you don't have to explain anything and everyone is just chilled.
“It's a nice reminder that there are other people like you, because when you're going it through it you feel like the minority. On these trips you're not the only one, there's loads of people, and everyone I've met here has been really nice.
“Away from the trips, you don't really talk to anyone, because other people avoid talking about cancer if they haven't been through it. They avoid it because they think it's too sad or upsetting and they don't want to make you feel uncomfortable.
“But here you can talk about it and get everything off your chest, and even have a laugh about it. Even if I talk to my mum about it, she doesn't want to upset me or make me sad, but here everyone’s your own age and they just get it.
“The trips have made me feel more confident. They help you move on and unload all of that junk and vent about it and then move forward with a clearer head.
“I was petrified at the start. My first trip was just before I started my first job so it made it easier and gave me the stepping stones which allowed me to build new relationships with people.”