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Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity (YBTC) has made incredible strides in 2024, and none of this would have been possible without the honest feedback and unwavering support from the community we serve. Your voices have guided us in shaping our vision and improving our services.
This year, we conducted two surveys to better understand your needs and concerns. Here, we’ll share some of your feedback, what we’ve done to address it, and how we plan to move forward. At YBTC, we deeply value collaboration and coproduction, and as we look ahead to 2025, we invite you to keep sharing your thoughts—your voice will always be heard.
Working Together: Your Feedback, Our Actions
Strategy and Direction
You said:
"I’m not sure what direction the charity is going in. I was part of the Patient Advisory Group and am not sure it exists anymore."
We did: In October 2024, we launched a new three-year strategy that outlines our vision, mission, and values to ensure we’re moving forward with purpose. You can explore it here: Our Charity Strategy | YBTC. In 2025, we’ll relaunch our Patient Advisory Group, ensuring your voices continue to shape our future and influence key decisions.
You said:
"Go back to basics, it used to be simple and local."
We did: Our refreshed strategy reflects a focused approach: delivering local support services and advancing research. One of our core values is ‘Community,’ representing our commitment to staying grounded in collaboration and supporting local needs.
Fundraising and Publicity
You said:
"It’s not as easy as it could be to donate money via the website."
We did: In July 2024, we partnered with AND Digital to design and launch a new website that makes donating simpler than ever. The result? A 190% increase in online donations over six months! That’s a "reight result" for our cause.
You said:
"Communication could be better."
We did: We’ve prioritized clear and consistent communication across all platforms:
Weekly Updates: Our Charity Director now sends weekly updates to staff, trustees, ambassadors, volunteers, and local clinical teams.
Quarterly Updates: Our Support Lead provides quarterly updates to those on our active support caseload.
Newsletters: Regular email newsletters keep our subscribers informed.
Social Media: We post at least twice a week on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Facebook, and we’ve amped up our blogs and event updates on our new website.
You said:
"Facebook isn’t used as much as it could be.""We aren’t receiving your newsletter emails."
We did:
Over 100 Facebook posts were shared in 2024, spotlighting events and opportunities to engage.
We’ve invested in a new CRM tool, Beacon CRM, to improve the frequency and quality of our email communications.
You said:
"Please consider fundraising activities for those that are less physically agile."
We did: In 2024, we hosted 21 inclusive events for our 21st anniversary, including charity balls, gig nights, fayres, and at-your-own-pace walking events—ensuring everyone can participate in the fun!
Providing Super Support
You said:
"There aren’t any in-person activities near me, so I can only access the online support group."
We did: We doubled the number of in-person peer support groups in the past six months and aim to double this again in 2025.
You said:
"Days and times of support meetings are not always suitable.""The online group can be tiring and some people don’t chat at all."
We did: In January 2025, we launched a weekend support group to accommodate those with work or caregiving commitments. Online support groups will also return with a revised format, featuring guest speakers on themes such as managing fatigue.
You said:
"After establishing a growing community in South Yorkshire for the support groups you withdrew them, which ultimately left a number of people without support."
We did: Although cost-saving measures in 2023 led to difficult decisions, we’ve since learned important lessons. We now have two support groups in South Yorkshire and are working to expand further in 2025.
You said:
"Bring back the well-being walks.""Please make the walks inclusive for wheelchair users."
We did: Well-being walks resumed in 2024, with recent events at Roundhay Park and Pugneys. All future walks will take place in wheelchair-accessible locations.
You said:
"YBTC staff should attend the support groups more often." and"The team should respond to queries more quickly."
We did:Although our team is small, we’re committed to attending support groups at least every six months. We’ve also implemented new technology to ensure timely responses to phone and email queries, even when colleagues are unavailable.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on 2024, we’re incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made together. Every piece of feedback has been a step toward building a charity that truly reflects the needs and voices of our community.
In 2025, we’re excited to continue this journey with you—expanding our support services, improving our communication, and creating more opportunities for collaboration. Please keep sharing your thoughts through our surveys, and rest assured that you’ll always be heard.
Thank you for being part of our story. Together, we’re creating a brighter future for brain tumour patients and their families.
Here’s to another smashing year of progress and partnership!
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