Cancer Lifeline

Cancer Lifeline provides community based support services for those trying to rebuild their lives following a cancer diagnosis. A cancer diagnosis is traumatic, resulting in extreme feelings of fear, isolation, anxiety, distress and helplessness.

Our main aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable and isolated people affected by cancer in north Belfast, a community noted for its high levels of deprivation and poverty. Supporting them to improve their skills, confidence, capacity and coping mechanisms to be able to cope better, emotionally, physically and mentally with the traumatic impact of cancer. Many describe the organisation as a “lifeline” to them, helping them to rebuild their lives following the devastating effects of a cancer diagnosis.

We offer a welcoming “home from home”, where people affected by cancer can come together to get support and share with others facing similar challenges. Individuals and families are supported at this time of crisis through a wide range of holistic user led information and support services. Examples include counselling, complementary therapies, psychological support groups, bereavement support, nutritional support, peer support, staff support calls, stress management workshops and a wide range of positive wellbeing programmes etc. All programmes are designed and planned in response to user need.

The unique user led ethos is central to the organisation. The voluntary management committee are all local individuals who are living with cancer themselves and are committed to using their experience and skills to support others during this critical time in their lives. A cancer diagnosis brings with it a whole array of emotions some of which can be overwhelming. It is at these times that individuals need to talk and share with others facing similar fears and anxieties to help move forward and rebuild their lives one step at a time.

We cover North Belfast and Newtownabbey