With 40,000 people living with cancer at any one stage in Northern Ireland there is often many unanswered questions and emotions that people can end up dealing with on their own.
The Listening Ear Service (LES) is designed to offer support and signposting in an informal setting on a face-to-face basis, as and when it's needed.
The service is available to anyone diagnosed with cancer and their family, close friends or carers.
Signposting Service
Dealing with cancer is difficult on its own but it also impacts on many other areas of your life and it can be difficult to know what help is available and where. LES offers signposting to other local services to help with issues such as childcare, financial assistance and transport issues among many others.
Supportive Service
When dealing with cancer people can try to bottle their emotions and 'be strong' which can increase stress and anxiety.
Often people need to talk about their worries and emotions, but they don't feel counselling is appropriate.
The Listening Ear Service offers a safe place where people can talk about their situation with someone who isn't emotionally involved.
Often this is a one-off appointment to help people move forward and enhance their quality of life.
Who provides the service?
The Listening Ear Service is a confidential service run by highly trained volunteers who have undergone a strict recruitment procedure and an accredited training programme.
If you would be interested in volunteering please read through the process below and fill in the application form:
Find out the process for becoming a listening ear volunteer.
Click here to download the printable PDF
Fill in an application form. Click here to download the printable PDF
You can also visit our volunteer page by clicking here.