Over the past 18 months Open College Network accredited training has been taking place in the local schools as part of Action Cancer’s unique health promotion programme Health Action, which is funded by independent retail group Centra.
Action Cancer has announced a major development to its Health Action programme, which involves teenagers and staff at a number of schools being trained to support fellow pupils and teachers who have been affected by cancer.
Groups of pupils, teachers and classroom assistants at St Mary’s Christian Brothers Grammar School, Belfast; The Wallace High School, Lisburn; Shimna Integrated College, Newcastle and Bangor Grammar School have already been trained as volunteers for the charity’s Listening Ear Service (LES), which provides support to cancer patients and their carers, relatives and close friends. Action Cancer plans to train more young people in schools across Northern Ireland.
The new Listening Ear project for schools sees trained volunteers providing support in the school setting - a first for Northern Ireland.
Action Cancer says the service provides an opportunity for people affected by cancer to discuss their situation with someone who is not directly involved.