Donaldson Centre

The Donaldson Centre, Counselling & Therapy Centre
For people living with Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis and Motor Neurone Disease, their families and friends.
The Donaldson Centre is open to persons over 18 years of age, diagnosed with Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis and Motor Neurone Disease, regardless of where they live or where they are receiving treatment. It is also a facility designed to cater for family members and friends who support a person living with a terminal illness.

Mission Statement
The aim of the ‘Hospice Counselling and Therapy Centre’ is to provide counselling and support for patients diagnosed with Cancer, MS and Motor Neurone Disease. This centre will help and support patients and their families at a much earlier stage in their diagnosis, in an environment which respects the privacy and dignity of the person at all times.

Services Available
The Donaldson Centre offers scheduled opening times when appointments can be made for the following therapies and services:
By Appointment Only
• Massage
• Reflexology
• Art Therapy
• Wig Fitting Service
• Beauty Days
• Counselling
• Meditation / Relaxation
• Prosthesis Services

Alternatively, the drop in centre offers users the opportunity to call (see centre opening times for details), where one of our trained volunteers will greet you on arrival where you can enjoy a ‘cuppa’ in a relaxed atmosphere and at the same time find out about our services and therapies.

There will also be a number of ongoing scheduled information session that all users can avail of and these will include:
• Seminars
• Lymphoedema Support Group
• Breast Cancer Support Group
• Men’s Support Group

Opening Times
Centre Opened
Monday – Friday: 10am – 3pm
Drop In Centre
Tuesday – 8pm – 9pm
Wednesday – 11am – 12noon
Thursday – 3pm – 4pm

Dr & Mrs G Donaldson
Following his retirement from a local GP practice in Newry Dr Gerald Donaldson was appointed Assistant Medical Director of the Southern Area Hospice in 1990. He served in this position until his retirement June 2005. As well as his commitment to the Medical Service in the Hospice, Dr Donaldson was a dedicated fundraiser attending many functions, and cheque presentations. He also looked after some Hospice Collection Boxes fondly known as “Dr D’s Boxes”.
Mrs Joy Donaldson has had an equally long association with the Hospice. She was a member of the Hospice Dinner Dance Committee for a numbers of years, and in 1989 joined the Fundraising Committee. She served for 4 years on the Hospice Board of Directors from 2002 until her retirement in 2006. Along with her husband, Dr Donaldson, Joy has represented the Southern Area Hospice on many occasions actively promoting its name in the wider Northern Ireland context. Joy continually supported Dr Donaldson in his long service to the Hospice.