There is so much more to Hayleigh than childhood cancer…
Please give today to help a child like Hayleigh with serious illness rediscover that same joy and confidence.
Restoring Young Lives affected by Cancer and other Serious Illness
Barretstown is Ireland's leading provider of psychosocial care for children, young people and families affected by cancer and other serious illness.
Founded in 1994 by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, our programmes have reached over 175,000 children and young people, generating over €2.2 billion in social value.
Through our residential camps, outreach programmes in hospitals, schools and communities, and cutting-edge research, we address what medical treatment alone cannot — rebuilding confidence, restoring independence, and transforming a story of illness into one of possibility.
“Hospital treats the illness, but Barretstown treats the child“
Paul Newman (1925-2008)
“What Barretstown does is an essential part of cancer treatment – it should be seen as a key component of the treatment plan. It is as important as the chemotherapy they receive“
“Barretstown comes into its own, in relation to the psychosocial impact of its programmes on children and teens. Once a child is diagnosed with cancer, medicine does its best for them. Psychosocial well-being is critically important. If you are in the right psychosocial place, you heal much quicker“
Professor Owen Smith,
Barretstown Medical Patron and
Consultant Paediatric Haematologist.
Medical & Research
Partnering with healthcare professionals to deliver world-leading psychosocial care.
Hospitals treat the illness. Barretstown treats the child. Find out how our programmes complement medical care — or refer a patient today.
Experience your patients beyond the ward. Volunteering with Barretstown offers something no clinical environment can. You’ll never forget it.
Through our research hub and supporting strategy, we conduct and contribute to cutting-edge, evidence-based research on therapeutic psychosocial interventions to advance policy and standards of care.
Families
Start your healing journey
“It all started in Barretstown really, his recovery, and our recovery as a family. We began to get back on with living a normal life again. The impact that Barretstown has had on him, and on our whole family, is massive.“
Barretstown Parent
Volunteer
The most rewarding fun you’ll ever have.
Give a magical experience, get an incredible one in return. Each year over 2,500 volunteers help run our programmes and make the magic happen.
Learn more about the many ways you can volunteer.
Donate
You can make a real difference
As Irelands most established children’s health charity, your generosity has helped change the lives of over 175,000 children, and their families, who have been affected by cancer and other serious illness.
Each year we need your help to raise €10M through sponsorship and donations to run our programmes – we receive just 4% government funding.