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Supports for Children
Cancer Care West Support Centre provides a range of support services for children and adolescents (from 3 to 18 years) who are impacted by cancer. This service is facilitated by clinical psychologists and provides compassionate counselling support for children navigating the challenges of cancer. We support children directly affected by their own cancer diagnosis, or those that need support navigating a family member or loved one’s diagnosis. We also support children experiencing cancer-related grief. Within a safe and nurturing environment, we help children express their feelings, build resilience, and develop coping strategies to manage their emotions. Please contact us on 091 540040 or at [email protected] , or alternatively drop-in to the Support Centre without an appointment from Monday to Friday 9am to 3:30pm for more information.
Individual Counselling for Children
A cancer diagnosis can be an incredibly challenging time for the entire family, often bringing unique difficulties for children and teenagers. One-on-one counselling provides a safe and supportive space for them to navigate these challenges, express their feelings, and build resilience. We also offer support to children coping with the loss of a loved one to cancer, helping them process their grief and emotions in a healthy way.
Therapeutic Play
Therapeutic play enhances the support we provide to children within our service. We use a range of play and creative art therapies, including toys, art, therapeutic storytelling, puppets, clay, and Play-Doh, to support children in expressing their emotions. Through these methods, along with creative visualisation, we help them communicate their feelings in a way that feels natural to them. With the guidance of a clinical psychologist, therapeutic play offers a safe and supportive space where children can explore and communicate feelings they may struggle to put into words.
Support for Parents/Caregivers
Parents/Caregivers may find it difficult to support children’s needs around their cancer diagnosis. Our team have developed expertise in this area and are available to offer guidance regarding concerns that may arise.
CLIMB® Programme
Cancer Care West also offer the CLIMB® (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) programme. This is a group-based support programme for children aged 6-12 years who have a parent/primary caregiver living with a diagnosis of cancer. The six-week group support offers children the opportunity to meet other children going through a similar experience. Creative drama, art and play are used to talk about feelings and to gain an understanding of cancer.
CUBS Programme
CUBS (Children Unite in Bereavement Support) is an online structured bereavement support programme developed for children aged between 8 and 12 years whose parent has died from cancer. Through play and art, children will learn about grief responses and how to cope with feelings related to grief.