New Zest for Life scheme for local cancer patients

Zest for Life is a six-week personal development programme designed for any person who has been diagnosed with cancer – recently or in the past.

Starting on Friday, April 16, the programme will take place every Friday at St John House, Corlea Gardens, Ballymena from 10.0am to 12.30pm for six consecutive weeks.

Zest for Life will be facilitated by UCF counsellors, Paula Brogan and Mavis Duggan.

Paula said: "Zest for Life can help people who have experienced a cancer diagnosis to identify and implement lifestyle changes which will have a positive impact on their physical and mental health.

"Everyone is unique and we understand that cancer affects everyone differently. Cancer can make people feel that they have lost control; increase feelings of isolation and it can often reduce a person’s self-esteem. Zest for life aims to help people to: understand and manage stress; encourage positive thinking; adopt relaxation techniques and explore complementary therapies. By identifying personal values and realistic goal setting, people often regain a sense of balance and become empowered and motivated to move forward and embrace the future."

UCF’s Zest for Life programme is entirely confidential and takes place in a safe and caring environment. Materials will be provided for participants and like all UCF services, the programme is free of charge.

For further information or to book your place please contact Joanne Myles on 028 9066 3281 or email [email protected]

UCF would encourage anyone who is interested in taking part to please pre-book your place as there are a limited number of places available.

Special thanks to St John Ambulance, Ballymena for providing the venue for UCF’s Zest for Life programme.

UCF hopes to bring Zest for Life to other venues throughout Northern Ireland during 2010 so that people who have been affected by a diagnosis of cancer can access this valuable service in their own community.