Actor Ciaran McMenamin visits site of new multi-million pound Cancer Support Centre, a first for NI.

Actor, author, and proud Enniskillen man, Ciaran McMenamin, has visited Enniskillen High Street to see the site of Cancer Focus Northern Ireland’s first Cancer Support Centre, which is due to open later this year.

The transformation of the two-floor 4,125 square foot vacant property located in a prominent position in the town centre, adjacent to Paget Square, will see the leading local cancer charity deliver a quality and first of its kind sanctuary for local people impacted by cancer. A first for Northern Ireland, this Cancer Support Centre will give local people access to cancer support, advice, and services right on their doorstep and away from clinical settings.

Ciaran McMenamin (pictured right) with project architect Chris Allen.

Mirroring the Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy, this ambitious project will support people and communities during a cancer journey and help reduce social isolation. Consolidating a range of services under a fit-for-purpose building, the charity will increase opportunities for visitors to avail of counselling, family support, bra fitting, social groups, art therapy, patient driving, or simply drop in for a cup of coffee and a chat with a cancer specialist. In addition, the community will benefit from the delivery of cancer prevention initiatives including wellness checks, stop smoking support, and sun awareness activity. The project will enable Cancer Focus NI to have a permanent presence in a community where it has been providing support services for over 30 years.

Speaking about the charity’s direction of travel, the Hope Street actor and author of Skintown, which is set for a big screen adaptation, commented:

“I am amazed at Cancer Focus NI’s plans to create a sanctuary for the people of Enniskillen and Fermanagh. Seeing the property, which is right on the High Street, has cemented my belief in how important spaces like this are for people going through a cancer journey. This Cancer Support Centre will be life-changing, delivering services such as counselling, family support, and patient driving, and I look forward to seeing how local businesses and people rally to support this absolute gem for the town and wider region.”

This Cancer Support Centre has been thoughtfully and carefully designed to ensure that all visitors experience a sense of being apart from the clinical environment of a hospital, or the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Investing several million in the project over the next twenty years, the centre is projected to require an additional £300,000 running costs annually to deliver a high-quality service for local people.

Explaining the charity’s commitment to Enniskillen and the surround Fermanagh area, Richard Spratt, Chief Executive at Cancer Focus NI stated: “Our charity currently provides cancer support and awareness to thousands of people each year across Northern Ireland. However, most of this work is carried out in hospitals or community settings. Our commitment to providing state-of-the-art and carefully designed sanctuaries in locations where need is greatest is the driving force behind this work. I am incredibly proud that our charity has chosen Enniskillen’s town centre as our first location and delighted that Ciaran McMenamin has chosen to see the value in our work and endorse our ambitious plans.”

For more information on the Enniskillen Centre, click here.