A £55,000 donation from the Isle of Man Anti‑Cancer Association has secured the island’s psycho‑oncology service for the year ahead.
It will ensure cancer patients and their families can continue accessing specialist mental‑health support at the newly opened Mannin Cancer Help Centre.
The service, delivered by Minds Matter and overseen by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, provides assessments and tailored therapeutic sessions for anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis, whether waiting for results, undergoing treatment or supporting a loved one.
The funding comes from the Ena Quirk Legacy fund and strengthens existing support from the Mannin Cancer Support Group.
Generous Donation
Malcolm Clague, Chairman of the Isle of Man Anti‑Cancer Association, said: “The Association is pleased to be able to provide the additional funding through the Ena Quirk Legacy to enable the support provided by Minds Matter to get up and running for those seeking assistance with their mental well‑being through various stages of their cancer journey.
“Ena Quirk had been a headmistress at the Peel Clothworkers Primary School and considered the well‑being of her pupils paramount. She would be pleased that her legacy is assisting the provision of such an accessible psycho‑oncology service within the Mannin Cancer Help Centre.”
Minds Matter CEO Andrea Chambers said the donation had been “pivotal” at a time when funding specialist support remains challenging.
“The roots of our charity, founded in 1983 as The Manx Cancer Help Association, are firmly grounded in offering essential support around mental health and wellbeing for cancer patients and their families.
“It is an essential service, and we are proud to continue it through Minds Matter, now based at the new Mannin Cancer Help Centre as part of their growing range of support. This donation has been pivotal for us at a time when funding specialist support is always a challenge for charities, and we are extremely grateful to Malcolm Clague and the IOMACA for their ongoing support of our work.”
The charities behind the Mannin Cancer Help Centre say their shared aim is to ensure anyone visiting the non‑clinical space can access the right support easily and at the moment they need it most.
