Author: Hive Cancer Support

In early October our Programme and Services Co-ordinator Sarah Duddy met with Aine Morrison, the Chief Social Worker for Northern Ireland to discuss the challenges facing families where there has been a cancer diagnosis.

It was fantastic opportunity to voice the issues that impact the families we support

Ms Morrison was visiting the Old Library Trust in Creggan, where she was introduced to the group’s community partners and heard about the organisations services and impact.

The meeting included representatives from education, health and sport and was a chance to discuss the important role of early intervention in family support.

Team Hive go on fact finding mission to Belfast based community gardens

Our allotment crew took to the road earlier this week for an inspirational visit to Musgrave Community Garden, Wildflower Alley & The Three Sisters Gardening Community in Belfast.

Sarah Duddy, Hive Cancer Support Programmes and Services Co-ordinator said: “We truly appreciated the heartfelt welcome extended to us by everyone involved, and we left with plenty of food for thought.

“The enthusiasm, expertise, and commitment to enhancing our local communities by promoting the benefits of growing your own and transforming spaces into vibrant community areas was so impressive.

“It was a big bonus to witness other community initiatives sharing a similar vision for environmental and health improvement through community gardens and allotments just like we do here at Hive Cancer Support.”

Big thank you to Triax for the invite as part of the Better Together Project, Better Practice Visit!

Hive Cancer Support was delighted to be invited to visit Derry’s biggest three post primary schools for girls in October to spread our breast cancer awareness message.

First up was St Cecilia’s where we held an awareness stall for all the pupils.

Then we visited Thornhill College where we delighted to host two special assemblies for the year 13 and 14 girls and an awareness stall for the students.

Thornhill also held a special fundraising day for Hive Cancer Support where the girls wore pink & took part in an exercise bike challenge.

We held a series of workshops at St Mary’s College and returned to host a stall at their annual fundraiser for Hive Cancer Support.

 We also have been to workplaces, community hubs, and other agencies to deliver our  cancer awareness message.

As a grass roots person focussed charity it means so much to have the support of our local community.

Our Community Development Officer Michelle & her assistant Jade travelled to Dublin for the International Gynaecological Cancer Advocacy Network Conference.
This was a great opportunity to meet researchers & experts from all over the world.
Michelle said: “Team Hive are so proud to represent the North West & share our community based, person centred approach to supporting thrivers.
“We had such a productive time and have made many new and exciting contacts.”

Hive Cancer Support gathered at Free Derry Corner for the unveiling of our new Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign poster featuring a powerful image of our member, supporter, campaigner and friend Theresa Kelly.

We were joined by our members and Theresa’s family and friends to celebrate her.

Theresa had this portrait taken as part of the ‘Seen to be Heard’ exhibition by Belfast photographer Jennifer Willis, which features women with secondary breast cancer to raise awareness and lobby for greater services.

Last October we brought the exhibition came to Derry as part of our Breast cancer Awareness month programme. When it came to choosing a strong and thought provoking image this beautiful image of Theresa came to mind straight away.

We are so grateful that she agreed to let us use it and to Jennifer for letting us feature it in the poster.