Derry (or Londonderry) is the second largest city in Northern Ireland and can be found along the River Foyle. It was selected as the inaugural UK City of Culture in 2013 and is the only remaining completely intact walled city in Ireland.
It is home to a fantastic network of cancer support so for our latest City Spotlight, we take a look at a selection of the cancer support services available in Derry.
Please note, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the services available may be subject to change or temporarily suspended. Contact the organisations directly to find out more.
Based in Cookstown this charity supports people affected by cancer at every stage of their journey including families and loved ones of those living with cancer or any family member bereaved by cancer. They offer bereavement counselling, EatSmart nutrition workshops, massage, relaxation techniques, reflexology, Yoga, relaxation, financial and benefits advice. Visit their website to check which services are available in person and via telephone or Zoom.
Move More – Derry and Strabane
A physical fitness group based in Foyle Arena, to help people living with cancer get and stay active during and after cancer treatment. The professionals on the programme help you to understand cancer and create an individually designed programme for the patient. It helps to prevent and manage some of the effects of treatment, such as fatigue, depression, muscle wasting and risks to your heart health as well as giving you ongoing support.
Cruse Bereavement Care – Foyle
Charity located on Bishop Street, Derry that provides support to those who have been bereaved, following the death of someone close. Services are free of charge and include confidential one to one meeting, telephone support and email support. For more information on support offered during the pandemic please contact the service on 028 7126 2941 or via the website.
Care for Cancer is a charity located in Omagh that provides information, advice and practical support to individuals and their families who have been touched by cancer in Omagh and its surrounding areas. They offer a range of services, including cancer information, support groups, transport to hospital appointments, yoga, support for bereaved people, art therapy, bra fitting services for women who have had breast cancer surgery, travel insurance, aromatherapy and more.
Located in Cookstown this is a charity that provides support services to those who are living with and affected by cancer. They provide a welcoming and confidential environment where people living with a cancer diagnosis can receive high quality support services including complementary therapy, bra and swimwear fittings, counselling, horticultural therapy, support groups and a transport service.
Cancer Choices in Donaghmore support people in the local community who have been affected by cancer. They offer a wide range of services for patients, family members and carers with a 24/7 free helpline to guide, support and inform, as well as counselling and telephone call befriending services. Contact via the Facebook page or 028 8772 9850.
If you have used or know of any cancer support services in Derry or beyond, visit our website to add a service to our Cancer Care Map.
With research showing that more than 90% of people living with illness want to be connected with like-minded patients, the team at Yara are building an innovative mobile app where like-minded patients can come together in to exchange knowledge and share experiences. Here the team behind it, tell us more.
Bowel cancer (sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer) is the 4th most common cancer in the UK with over 40,000 people diagnosed each year. Almost 9 in 10 people that receive a bowel cancer diagnosis are over 60 but survival rates are significantly higher if diagnosis is found in the early stages. April sees us recognise Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, so we've taken a look at some of the great support services available in the UK.
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