Ground-breaking service launched to support children of cancer patients

The Northern Ireland NI Cancer Fund for Children (NICFC) has launched a pioneering new service for local children and young people whose parents have received a cancer diagnosis.

“Young Shoulders”, a pilot residential based service is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and will support children and young people aged 11-21 years old. The specially developed programme, supported by the 999 emergency services, will explore issues relevant to these vulnerable individuals such as separation anxiety, fears for the future, and the stresses attached to difficult caring roles.

Gillian Creevy, General Manager with the charity commented, ‘The NI Cancer Fund for Children is delighted to be launching another brand new youth support service and marking yet another milestone in its thirty year history of supporting children and young people living with the effects of cancer in their lives.  Our new Young Shoulders Programme will for the first time ever in NI start to meet the emotional and social needs of young people living with a parent who has been diagnosed with cancer. Through a series of unique residential programmes based in our Narnia log cabin in Newcastle, we will aim to equip these young people with coping strategies and help build a resilience to enable them to face whatever difficulties and uncertainties the future may hold.’

Click here for further information on the Young Shoulders Programme, or please contact Niamh McGrogan on 028 9080 5599 or email niamh@nicfc.com