Write a comment‘‘You Matter and We Care’ is the message from the Southern Area Hospice Services ahead of an innovative, new community event taking place on Thursday 23rd February in Newry. The free event will take place from 10.30am until 2.30pm at the Meadow and Armagh Road Community Centre and is open to the public to drop in at any time throughout the day. The event has been organized to help those who may themselves, or know of someone suffering from cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neuron Disease or AIDS, gain a better insight into the services provided as well as giving local people a chance to meet the Hospice team.
‘You Matter and We Care’ is not only open for those who may wish avail of Southern Area Hospice Services but those who may consider volunteering or fundraising for the Hospice.
Fiona Robinson, Head of Social Work and the Chaplaincy at the Southern Area Hospice said, ‘Sometimes people have the misconception that Hospice is a place for end of life care only. This event along with our focus on services in the community will help to show people that this is not the case. Hospice offers a wide variety of services including care in the community, support in our hospitals, holistic therapies, advice on benefits or sometimes just a friendly voice from someone who understands. We would encourage anyone living with cancer, MS, MND or AIDs either themselves or in their family to come along and to the ‘You Matter and We Care’ event. Members of the Hospice team will be on hand to offer advice and information. We are always keen to hear from people who would like to help our local Hospice either through fundraising to help us meet our target of £2.2 million this year, by general volunteering or by offering professional services such as counseling, reflexology or other alternative therapies.
Fiona Robinson added, “We understand it can be difficult to talk about an illness in the family so we would like to assure people that this event will be an open, warm and friendly occasion where you can speak to someone in confidence and know you will be getting professional, helpful advice.”
The event is a perfect opportunity to visit the information stands, get to know the hospice staff, try out some of the therapies available and enroll for future groups. The afternoon will conclude with a Questions and Answers session for any further queries and a light lunch will be provided.
For further information about this free event please contact the Southern Area Hospice on (028) 3026 7711 or www.southernareahospiceservices.org
