Psychosocial Care
Addresses both the psychological and social needs of a person
When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer or serious illness, medical treatment focuses on healing the body. But illness affects so much more — confidence, identity, friendships, family life. Families too carry an enormous emotional weight.
That’s where psychosocial care comes in. Through adventurous and creative activities, peer connection and personalised psychosocial supports, we help children and young people rebuild confidence, restore independence and rediscover the joy of simply being young.
Camp Criteria: Once a child’s diagnosis matches our eligible illness groups and their application and documents are complete, the family may attend Family Camp. Eligibility for children-only camps is assessed individually, based on age, independence, safety awareness, and medical needs.
Residential Programmes
Where young lives are restored
On our beautiful 500-acre campus in Co. Kildare, we deliver therapeutic recreation camps and programmes for children, young people and their families, all completely free of charge.
And because serious illness affects the whole family, our residential camps aren’t just for the young person who is ill. We run camps and other programmes for brothers and sisters, siblings, families and young adults — designed around what each person needs to thrive.
Hospital Outreach Programme
Because the spirit of Barretstown doesn't have to wait until camp.
Our Hospital Outreach Programme (HOP) brings creative, engaging activities to children, young people and families in hospital settings, offering moments of lightness during some of the hardest days. Using the same therapeutic recreation model that underpins all our programmes, our team creates individualised, activity-based programmes focused on improving quality of life — both during a hospital stay and beyond.
Camp at Home
For children and young people who can't come to us, we come to them.
For those children and young people who can’t make it to camp, our community outreach team travels to homes across Ireland, bringing the same fun, magic and therapeutic support that makes Barretstown so special.
Before you visit, we’ll ask you to complete two short forms:
Download our Pre-visit Questionnaire to help us understand your family’s needs, medical requirements and preferences before we arrive. We’ll also ask you to review our Camp at Home Activities Form so your family can choose the activities that suit you best.
Education Outreach
Helping children and young people return to school with confidence and helping their classmates welcome them back
Our School Outreach Programme is delivered to primary and secondary schools across Ireland. Designed to support children and young people as they reintegrate into school life following serious illness or extended absence, it helps teachers manage the transition and gives classmates a better understanding of what their friend has been through.
