Ulster Cancer Foundation Services -
Support Services
Family Support
The Ulster Cancer Foundation's Family Support service helps children, young people and their families when a close family member has been diagnosed with cancer.
This tailor made service provides one-to-one or group support to help reduce the impact of cancer on family life and aims to minimise the long-term effects on the emotional well-being of the entire family unit.
When an adult in the family is diagnosed with cancer it affects the entire family unit. For some families regaining a sense of balance and coping can be very difficult and they may need extra support. For children and young people it can be a distressing, isolating and frightening time. It can bring unwanted and dramatic changes to their lives and it can affect their experience of school, relationships and their ongoing development.
The Family Support service includes the following programmes:
- CLIMB (Children's Lives include Moments of Bravery) is a 6-week programme for children aged 5-12. It is an opportunity for children to have fun and meet others in a similar situation. The groups are creative, using drama and arts, to develop an understanding of cancer whilst dispelling myths and fears.
- Teenage Group - provides a place for teenagers to explore their feelings and meet others in a similar situation. It looks at the effects of independence / dependence and fear.
- Parents Programme - When an adult in the family has cancer, the question of how and what to tell children, of whatever age, can be daunting. We helpyou deal with this type of dilemma and address questions such as: is it better to tell the truth? How do I calm my child’s fears? Would it help my child to meet others in the same situation? and much more. The programme also explores how it is to be a parent coping at this time.
- Support when someone dies - this is a 6-week programme that focuses on the loss of a significant adult. It uses creative sessions to explore children's feelings. Family Support evenings are held monthly in different locations throughout Northern Ireland to enable bereaved families to come together and meet others in a similar situation.
- One to one support for a Child / Young Person - Sometimes a child or young person may benefit from one to one sessions. This can help them deal with issues that they are more comfortable talking about in private. Meetings can be held in the child / young persons home.
- Individual Family Support - Sometimes families need time together with the Family Support Worker to help them findwork through their concerns and worries. This can be arranged wherever is convenient for the family, including their own home.
UCF’s Family Support service is available free of charge, throughout Northern Ireland, in response to need. Please contact us for futher details on 028 9066 3281.
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