About
To support people affected by cancer, their families and carers in Waterford and the South East.
What We Do:
1. To provide the highest quality cancer support services to the people of Waterford and the South East. These support services include counselling, relaxation therapies and group support services which are provided at the Solas Cancer Support Centre. We provide those affected by cancer, their families and carers with a safe place; a place to talk things over, to relax and express emotions.
2. To advocate at national level – with Government and HSE – to ensure that the cancer services in the South East region of Ireland are world class and are accessible to all.
3. To promote awareness and educate people about cancer. We partner with other organisations around cancer prevention, the early diagnosis of cancer, recovery from cancer and health and wellbeing. We promote a change of mindset around cancer – to help all of us to talk more freely about cancer, to live with it and encourage the whole community to support people living with cancer and their families and carers.
Our Core Values
Our Core Values are unique to the Solas Cancer Support Centre Brand. They form an integral part of the “essence” of what the Solas Cancer Support Centre is. They each describe what the experience of interaction with the Solas Cancer Support Centre should be. They are a benchmark for every facet of day-to-day interactions with:
- Clients of the Centre
- The Community we serve – the people of the South East
- Colleagues of the Solas Cancer Support Centre – our Volunteers, Service Providers, Staff and Supporters
Our Core Values
Click to read more about our core values
Caring for Our Clients
In 2023, 814 new clients engaged with the Solas Cancer Support Centre and we supported over 1,225 clients in total.
During this year we provided over 8,700 one to one supports to clients which included:
- Complimentary Therapies 4,937
- Counselling 2,950
- Art Therapy and Play Therapy 876
Over 247 Group Support sessions were held during 2022 with clients availing of these group activities which include our Art Group, Crochet Group, Bereavement Group, Meditation, Yoga, Mindfulness, Men’s Support Group and a range of information sessions.
Solas Cancer Support Centre running costs for 2023
| Cost of providing services to Clients | €771,010 |
| Administration | €270,910 |
| Total expenditure | €1,041,920 |
| Income | €684,361 |
| Grant Income | €201,187 |
| Total Income | €885,548 |
| Deficit (Income less expenditure) | – €156,372 |
The total amount of salaries paid by the Solas Cancer Support Centre in 2023 was €247,291 to 2 full time and 5 part time staff members.
Our Team
Today, the Solas Cancer Support Centre is supported by over 70 volunteers who help us with Client Services and fundraising activities.
- Over 30 counsellors & therapists who support our Clients and their needs at the Centre or as part of our Outreach service.
- 6 community employment scheme workers who help with the day to day running of the Centre and the maintenance of our gardens.
- 1 part time staff & 3 full time staff member in the roles of Centre Manager, Client Services Coordinator, Fundraising Coordinator, Accounts Administrator and Administrator.
Board of Directors
The South Eastern Cancer Foundation/Solas Cancer Support Centre is a registered charity and a registered company limited by guarantee. It is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees ( also known as directors or board members) made up of professionals including legal, medical, business, community, communication, financial and of service users. No fees or expenses are paid to directors of the Solas Cancer Support Centre.
Governance
Charity Regulator Charities Governance Code: We are compliant with this code as a complex charity.
NCCP Guidance for Best Practise for Voluntary Cancer Support Centres and Services: We are deemed compliant in these guidelines by the NCCP.
Trustees
