A new programme to help children understand cancer will take place in Tuam next week.
The initiative, the first of its kind in the Republic, is for children aged five to 12 years who are experiencing the impact of a parent’s or significant adult’s cancer diagnosis.
The CLIMB (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery ) programme begins on Monday night (September 13 ) from 5pm to 6.30pm and will run for six weeks at Tuam Cancer Care Centre at Cricket Court on the Dunmore Road (opposite Pulse Engineering ). The service is free.
“It’s an enjoyable, sharing, interactive experience and a time for the children to come together to deal with their feelings,” explains a spokesperson for the centre.
“Throughout the programme the children will develop an understanding of cancer and from this understanding the myths and fears that children can hold about it will be dispelled. The groups are creative - using drama, arts and play. They are also based around having some fun together and meeting new friends. Parents are invited to stay for a cup of tea, conversation and receive support for themselves while the children play.”
The launch of the CLIMB programme marks an important landmark in service development for the Tuam Cancer Care, according to the spokesperson.
“We identified that children’s needs were not being met when they had a parent or a significant other diagnosed with cancer. In fact, there are no support services like the CLIMB programme in the Republic of Ireland.
“When a close adult relative, such as a parent or aunt or grandparent, is diagnosed with cancer it affects the entire family. All of a sudden people are acting strangely, there’s something going on, but the child doesn’t really know what. Children can feel very isolated. There is a tendency to shield them from what’s going on but this can actually hurt them. The main thing is to reassure them that what is happening is not their fault and to remind them of everyone who loves them.”
Ten support volunteers from the centre will facilitate the CLIMB programme. They were trained by Rachel Smith, a family support worker and drama therapist from the Ulster Cancer Foundation. She trained with the Tree House Foundation which devised the programme in America and is responsible for pioneering CLIMB in Northern Ireland.
People interested in learning more about the programme should contact Tuam Cancer Care Centre, Cricket Court, Dunmore Road, Tuam. Telephone (093 ) 28522.
