This year, as we approach the holiday season, we have decided to support two fantastic charities, ALONE and the SOLAS Cancer Support Centre. 2020 has been an incredibly difficult year, but they continue to provide amazing support and services year on year.
As a group we like to support the communities in which we live and work and when asked for recommendations, the team at Q1 Scientific selected these two charities as they are close to our hearts.
“We hope these donations make a positive difference. With Covid-19, these two charities are operating under unprecedented conditions. As the country navigates its way to the new normal, we are delighted to support the great work being achieved.”
Stephen Delaney, CEO at Q1 Scientific
The SOLAS Cancer Support Centre
Based in Waterford, the SOLAS Cancer Support Centre supports people affected by cancer, their families and carers across Waterford and the South East.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the SOLAS Cancer Support Centre adapted their services and now provide support services including phone support and information, phone counselling, and remote wellness sessions. You can view the various support options available on their website.
Through community support and donations, they can continue to:
- Provide the highest quality cancer support services to the people of Waterford and the South East. These support services include counselling, relaxation therapies and group support services. Those affected by cancer, their families and carers have a safe place; a place to talk things over, to relax and express emotions.
- Advocate at national level – with Government and HSE – to ensure that the cancer services in the South East region of Ireland are world class and are accessible to all.
- Promote awareness and educate people about cancer. The SOLAS Cancer Support Centre partners with other organisations around cancer prevention, the early diagnosis of cancer, recovery from cancer and health and wellbeing. They promote a change of mindset around cancer – to help all of us to talk more freely about cancer, to live with it and encourage the whole community to support people living with cancer and their families and carers.
Find out more about the SOLAS Cancer Support Centre.
Dedicate a star to a loved one at the SOLAS Cancer Support Centre
This December, the Christmas tree in the SOLAS Cancer Support Centre will be decorated with special stars as part of their Stars for Life tribute. You can join them on Tuesday 8th December at 7pm as they turn on their tree lights. This is followed by an evening of song and reflection broadcast on WLR from 7.30pm – 8.30pm. See how you can participate on the Stars for Life event page.
A raffle is taking place this December with 10 hampers to be won and bonus prizes. Winners will be announced on Monday 14th December with tickets available from the SOLAS Cancer Support Centre website.
Supporting ALONE
ALONE provides Housing with Support, Support Coordination, Befriending, BConnect training and technology, and Campaigns for Change to hundreds of older people every week, who are homeless, socially isolated, living in deprivation or in crisis.
Earlier this year Linda Sweeney, Quality Technician at Q1 Scientific applied to become a Volunteer with ALONE. Volunteers play a vital and active role in all ALONE’s services:
“I have always had an interest in volunteering, ALONE and the great work they do really appealed to me. I have been influenced greatly by the older people in my life and wanted to give back to a community that can often be forgotten about, but have some of the best stories to tell.”
Linda Sweeney, Quality Technician at Q1 Scientific and ALONE Volunteer
Through its national support line 0818 222 024, ALONE continues to receive calls from older people seeking their support with housing, finances and health. With the shorter days and continued risk that Covid 19 presents, many older people continue to feel lonely and isolated as well.
ALONE works with these older people, including those who are lonely, isolated, homeless, living in poverty, or are facing other difficulties. They support them through these challenges to help them find long term solutions. This means that they can age happily and securely at home. However, their work would be impossible now or in the future without support.
This year ALONE has taken 38,046 calls while their staff and volunteers have placed 210,153 calls to older people across the country.
Find out more about ALONE.
Supporting the SOLAS Cancer Support Centre and Alone
There are many ways that you or your business can support ALONE and the SOLAS Cancer Support Centre. Both have various options to volunteer, donate or fundraise with your colleagues and friends.
To find out how you can get involved, please contact ALONE or the SOLAS Cancer Support Centre.