Barretstown’s School Education programme aims to create a fun, interactive and child-friendly approach to explaining what cancer is, whilst dispelling myths associated with it. This is a free programme that encourages children to be supportive of their classmate who has cancer as they return to school and reduces the likelihood of bullying, exclusion, confusion or anxiety.
On returning to school, children can often look different as a result of the side effects from their treatment – this needs to be explained to the class to help them understand what they are going through, and how to support them. The programme typically includes a short puppet show, in which puppets Conor and Sarah chat about cancer, followed by group discussions through games and activities. The programme can be facilitated in your child’s school for their class by the Outreach Team. The Outreach Manager will liaise with the child’s parents and teacher to tailor the programme to ensure it is age appropriate, relevant to the child’s illness and beneficial to all the class.
A similar programme can also be facilitated in primary school classes for children with Type 1 Diabetes.
If you’d like to enquire about the Outreach Team, and Conor and Sarah visiting your child’s school contact our Outreach Programme Manager Shoni Tavendale or Paula Conlan, Outreach Team Leader.