Barretstown in Ireland

Barretstown offers a fun programme of challenging activities designed to help children deal with the trauma of cancer and other serious illnesses. Hospitals take care of the physical effects of serious illness. Barretstown helps to heal the emotional scars.

The children who come to Barretstown have spent a long time in hospital and been denied ordinary childhood experiences such as making friends, developing independence and social skills. At Barretstown they are encouraged to step outside their comfort zone and take on challenges such as being on stage and climbing a 40ft tower. Through their successes the children begin to stop seeing themselves as sick kids and use their new-found confidence and skills to deal with the challenges of their everyday lives.