The centre, which has been funded with a grant of £50,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Improving Community Buildings programme, is located on the third floor of the Southern Area Hospice’s Courtenay Hill premises, a hospice caring for patients suffering from cancer and other life threatening illnesses.
Named after Dr Gerald and Mrs Joy Donaldson in recognition of their support of the Southern Area Hospice, the new facility will allow hospice staff to get in contact with patients and their families at a much earlier stage in their diagnosis so they can prepare them and explain what might happen in the future.
Some of the services available in the new facility include a ‘Drop in Facility,’ Reflexology, Art Therapy, Garment Fitting, and Counselling, and scheduled information sessions and seminars will also take place.
Speakers at the official opening included Mr George Duffy Chairman of the SAH, Breidge Gadd, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, Dr Osmond Morris Consultant in Palliative Care, Dr and Mrs Donaldson, and Mayor Coleman Burns – Mayor of Newry & Mourne Council. Members of the Hospice Chaplaincy Team led a short reflection and blessing of the centre.
George Duffy, Chairman of the Southern Area Hospice, said: “This centre is a support for the patient and their whole family, where they can come and chat, come to terms with their emotions, and use other forms of therapy to support the care they are already receiving.”
Mr Duffy thanked the Big Lottery Fund for their funding of the project, the Architect Mr John McKevitt, Moorhill Construction the main contractors. He also thanked BT and Translink for their support of the centre and paid tribute to the many volunteers who give so freely of the time.
Breidge Gadd, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, said: “The Big Lottery Fund’s Improving Community Buildings programme has helped make vital improvements to buildings and increase the range of activities that can be provided for local people.
“Southern Area Hospice’s new Counselling and Therapy Centre will allow the group to hold a range of services that will bring people together and encourage them to get more involved in their local community.”