Recovery Haven Kerry
If you or someone you love has cancer, we are here to offer a safe place to access information, emotional support and practical help. Whatever stage you are at at from diagnosis to post treatment or caring for a loved one, you do not have to do it alone!
Member Q&A
What is your goal?
We offer a safe place for cancer patients, their families, and carers to access information, emotional support, and practical help. Whatever stage they may be on, from diagnosis to post-treatment or caring for a loved one, we are here to offer support on a number of levels.
How have you been working towards it?
We offer all our supports and services free of charge, through phone support, counselling, complementary therapies, courses, classes, and group activities, all administered by recognised professionals. In 2020, Recovery Haven Kerry provided support services for 683 individuals, including 660 counselling sessions and 826 attendances at our classes, groups, and support programmes.
How has being a member of The Wheel helped?
Our staff and volunteers have gained vast support from The Wheel, particularly through their informative training and support webinars and online events. The Wheel staff is also at the end of the phone or email if we require advice and assistance on any part of our operations, from governance to fundraising to online support.
How can people support you?
While we have a volunteer base of 90+ members, we rely on the public to help us financially through supporting and organising fundraisers.
We also welcome volunteers who wish to facilitate online classes & workshops (and face to face when restrictions allow).
We also encourage corporate supporters to choose Recovery Haven Kerry as their Charity of Choice each year, and in 2021 we will launch our Friends of Recovery Haven scheme, whereby businesses and individuals can sign up to a weekly donation scheme via standing order.
Details available on www.recoveryhavenkerry.com.
Do you have any success stories to share?
We have been so encouraged and humbled by the support we receive from the public, either by supporting our events or organising their own.
Some notable events that have been hugely successful include a gala ball hosted by fashion designer Don O’Neill which raised over €20,000; our Movember Challenge in 2019 which raised in excess of €35,000; An Ultra Marathon organised by Maurice Kelter (the son of a late client) which raised over €17,500; and most recently a local bake sale organised by a family whose sons receive support from RHK, which raised in excess of €11,000.
However, while financial success is hugely important, of course, key to measuring our success is also the impact our services and supports have on our service users. Their feedback is vital. Below is just a sample of the feedback we have received from some of our clients, which we believe truly measures the success of what we do:
"Recovery Haven gave me the strength I needed the whole way along my cancer journey. I felt safe. It is an extremely special place.” -D
“It’s great to feel normal again. I just felt that a new doorway opened for me. Recovery Haven helps you to help yourself and empowers you. It shows you just how much YOU can do to make yourself feel better.” -M
“I was totally in awe that I could finally identify and more importantly own the fears and concerns that had been weighing me down. I have developed a resilience I would never have imagined possible”-P
"When you have cancer, you often see the world in darkness, but Recovery Haven allowed me see my life in colour again," -N
“We have one precious life, so live it wisely – and anything is possible when you have the right people to support you.” -K
Where can people find out more about your organisation?
Website: www.recoveryhavenkerry.com
Facebook: Recovery Haven Cancer Support House
Twitter: @recoveryhaven
Instagram: recoveryhavenkerrycancer
