Galway Cancer Support Centre
Our Galway Cancer Support Centre is here to support you in whatever way possible in your experience of cancer. We welcome adults, families and children affected by cancer. Whether you are a cancer patient, the partner, relative or friend of someone with cancer, this centre is for you.
Our centre is staffed by psychologists, counsellors, oncology nurses and a range of qualified cancer support specialists. Providing support alongside your medical treatment, our individual support, workshops and groups are for every type and stage of cancer, whether you’re newly diagnosed, facing a recurrence or are dealing with side effects of treatment.
We also provide a Psycho-Oncology counselling service into the local hospitals at University Hospital Galway and the Galway Clinic for patients affected by cancer. We also offer support to professionals who work in the care of cancer patients.
We aim to provide a homely, warm and welcoming environment. We are open five days per week and you can drop in without an appointment for a chat and a cuppa, to browse our library, find out more about our activities or just use the centre as a haven of quiet and relaxation.
Meet the staff and volunteers at our Galway Cancer Support Centre
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Individual Support
For many people, a diagnosis of cancer can be an overwhelming event. In order to begin to deal with it, we have a range of individual treatments that can support someone with this task. This includes one-to-one psychological therapy as well as a range of complimentary services that aim to promote physical and mental well-being. We also offer specialized individual counselling and support to people living with a brain tumour. Our Individual Support Services are delivered by professional therapists, all of whom are trained in cancer care. Booking is required – please contact us at [email protected], by phone at 091 540040 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday
Psycho-Oncology & Counselling Service
Our psychologists provide professional expert intervention to deal with the distress caused by a cancer diagnosis.
Psycho-Oncology Nursing Support
Specialised one-to-one information and support is available to help you cope with living with cancer and its treatment
Information and Advice
The aim of the Oncology Nursing Service at Cancer Care West is to provide information, advice and support to cancer patients and their families.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Manual lymphatic drainage is a specialised type of massage for lymphoedema which helps to reduce swelling.
Benefits Advice
Our benefits advisor is here to give you advice about Social Welfare and other entitlements and to help with form filling and application processes.
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Psycho-Oncology & Counselling Service
Our psychologists provide professional expert intervention to deal with the distress caused by a cancer diagnosis. These specialised techniques include Cognitive Behaviour and Emotion Focused Therapy and a range of other evidence based interventions.
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Psycho-Oncology Nursing Support
Specialised one-to-one information and support is available to help you cope with living with cancer and its treatment, especially side-effects. This service is provided by oncology nurses with many years’ experience in the area.
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Information and Advice
Specialised one-to-one information and support is available to help you cope with living with cancer and its treatment, especially side-effects. This service is provided by oncology nurses with many years’ experience in the area.
x
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Manual lymphatic drainage is a specialised type of massage for lymphoedema which helps to reduce swelling. The aim is to redirect fluid away from swollen areas towards healthy lymphatics.
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Benefits Advice
Our benefits advisor is here to give you advice about Social Welfare and other entitlements and to help with form filling and application processes.
Group Support
For many cancer patients sharing their experience of the illness in a group setting can be very helpful. This might be an informal group or a more focused group like our Thrive and Survive Group.
To find out about our range of group supports please give us a call to find out more – 091 540040 or email [email protected]
Exercise
This class involves gentle exercise movements, easily adaptable to everyday life.
Class
Relaxation
Regular chance to unwind and relax in a calm and peaceful atmosphere aimed at promoting physical and mental relaxation.
Class
Yoga
Yoga is a holistic practice which brings harmony to all aspects of our being.
Class
Moving forward after cancer – transitions course
The time after treatment can be a difficult adjustment period for many cancer patients. This four week course offers the opportunity to reflect and explore what the cancer diagnosis means
Support Group
Brain Tumour Support Group
A monthly meeting that offers an opportunity to chat and share stories about living with a brain tumour.
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Exercise
This class involves gentle exercise movements, easily adaptable to everyday life. The aim is to improve confidence in exercise, increase balance, and more flexibility of movement. There is significant evidence that exercise has a beneficial effect for people living with cancer.
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Relaxation
Regular chance to unwind and relax in a calm and peaceful atmosphere aimed at promoting physical and mental relaxation.
x
Yoga
Yoga is a holistic practice which brings harmony to all aspects of our being. Relaxation, through simple movements and gentle breathing, is an integral part of the class. The practice is accessible to everyone, and all are made to feel welcome.
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Moving forward after cancer – transitions course
The time after treatment can be a difficult adjustment period for many cancer patients. This four week course offers the opportunity to reflect and explore what the cancer diagnosis means, the changes that it may bring about and the adjustments you may need to make in your personal and work life. It is practical and task focused and is suitable for those who have finished treatment.
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Brain Tumour Support Group
A monthly meeting that offers an opportunity to chat and share stories about living with a brain tumour.
Support Services for Children (3-18yrs)
We offer a range of therapeutic play therapy for children in order to provide them with skills and innovative ways of dealing with cancer in their families.
Individual Counselling for Children
Difficulties frequently arise for children when a family member is diagnosed with cancer. We offer individual support to these children in terms of one-to-one counselling
Therapeutic Play
Cancer Care West offers therapeutic play skills to complement the support offered to children within our service
Support for Parents
Parents sometimes seek support in terms of advice about how to manage their children at the time and following diagnosis.
CUBS Programme
Cancer Care West also offer the CUBS programme. CUBS is an online structured bereavement support programme developed for children aged between 9 and 12 years whose parent has died from cancer.
CLIMB Programme
Cancer Care West also offer the CLIMB programme. CLIMB is a programme for children aged 5-12 years who are living with the reality of a parent being diagnosed with cancer
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Individual Counselling for Children
Difficulties frequently arise for children when a family member is diagnosed with cancer. We offer individual support to these children in terms of one-to-one counselling, especially for older children who are able to explore these issues by verbalising their concerns.
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Therapeutic Play
Cancer Care West offers therapeutic play skills to complement the support offered to children within our service, following a diagnosis of cancer or a diagnosis within the family. Play therapy uses a variety of play and creative art therapies, including toys, art, therapeutic storytelling, puppets, clay and playdough, and creative visualisation to help children to find a way of speaking about how they are feeling.
With the support of the therapist, therapeutic play provides a safe space, medium and language whereby a child can identify and communicate what they have difficulty articulating, helping the child to identify emotions and explore anxieties, and learn skills to help them cope.
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Support for Parents
Parents sometimes seek support in terms of advice about how to manage their children at the time of, and following diagnosis. Our team of psycho-oncologists have developed expertise in this area and are available to offer guidelines regarding child management and other concerns that may arise.
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CUBS Programme
CUBS is an online structured bereavement support programme developed for children aged between 9 and 12 years whose parent has died from cancer. Through play and art, children will learn about grief responses and learn how to cope with feelings.
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CLIMB Programme
Cancer Care West also offer the CLIMB programme. CLIMB is a programme for children aged five to twelve years who are living with the reality of a parent being diagnosed with cancer. This offers children in this age group the opportunity to come together to explore in a safe way the experience of a parent living with cancer.
Galway Cancer Support Center
Charity Registered Number : 20030438
CHY Number : 11260