New schedule at Tuam Cancer Care
Monthly Coffee Mornings will be a highlight
TUAM Cancer Care has launched its autumn-winter schedule of support services for people with a cancer diagnosis and their families. All supports are free of charge.
The schedule includes support services such as a Drop-in Centre, Support and Information, Complementary Therapies (Massage and Reflexology), Lymphoedema service, Counselling (adult, children and adolescents, and couples), the CanREACT Physical Activity Programme, the CLIMB Programme for children aged 5-12 whose parent has a diagnosis, Chair Yoga and the post-Mastectomy care clinic.
The centre will also include a monthly coffee morning from 10am to 12pm on the first Tuesday of every month starting September 2. This is being added as a result of feedback received from clients through the centre’s recent survey.
The new coffee mornings are also aimed at allowing clients who don’t take part in existing group programmes an opportunity to meet others who are affected by a cancer diagnosis.
Clients will have a chance to meet both other people affected by a cancer diagnosis and the centre’s Support Volunteers who are trained in listening skills.
Just over 160 people responded to the survey. Of these, 51 per cent were current clients and a further 22 per cent were former clients of Tuam Cancer Care. When asked how helpful the support services are, 92 per cent of respondents gave a five out of five rating and a further five per cent gave a four out of five rating.
Some of the comments received included: “For me it was a life line. You meet people who are going through their own challenges with their illness. I feel you understand what it feels like to have cancer”; “Have given me back my life”; “The information you get is invaluable and reassuring”; “TCC is a great service and provides so many services and support to cancer patients at all stages of their journey. It's an uplifting centre to visit and there is a friendly, warm and inviting atmosphere.”
All services provided at Tuam Cancer Care are free of charge and last year the charity relied on donations to provide 80 per cent of its services.