Cancer patient drop-in centre reopens

A LOCAL drop-in centre which provides essential support to those impacted by cancer has reopened its doors.

Care for Cancer closed up on March 23 due to the Covid-19 restrictions, but reopened yesterday with reduced hours.

The centre will now be open on a Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 1pm and people can call to the centre where a number of safety precautions are in place to ensure the safety of everyone entering.

Care for Cancer is a charity based at Campsie Place in Omagh.

It provides information, advice and practical support to individuals and their families who have been touched by cancer in Omagh and its surrounding areas.

Vice chairman, Ivan Gilmour, said he was delighted to get the doors open and welcome clients back again.

Speaking to the UH, he said, “The centre will be open throughout July on a Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 1pm.

“It is great to get the centre reopened for people and for them to know that we are here if they need us.

“People can make an appointment, but we pride ourselves in the fact that we are a drop in centre and those in need can just show up to our door.

“We are there for a chat or to give them some advice and this can be done face to face or over the phone,” said Mr Gilmour.

During lockdown, the charity continued to help and support cancer patients in Omagh by using video calls and over the phone counselling.

Mr Gilmour continued, “We didn’t really close down completely – the doors were closed but our work carried on with our clients.

“We were still taking patients to hospital for treatment, therapy, and appointments.

“We did counselling over the phone and still provided the recliner chairs for those who were terminally ill.”

Mr Gilmour believes that as things begin to return to a ‘new normal’, some people are still hesitant about returning to normal life.

He said, “A lot of people who have cancer are wary about coming back out of their houses and out into the public again after spending so long inside shielding.

“I have been speaking to a few people and they are almost scared to come out.

“It will take some time for people to feel comfortable again,” concluded Mr Gilmour.

• For more information on Care for Cancer services, contact info@careforcancer.co.uk or call 028 82246599.