Member Spotlight #2 – Denise Gordon

Member Spotlight #2 – Denise Gordon

Tell us about your work

Thanks to the Irish Cancer Society the funded role of play therapist allows me to offer individual and group play therapy sessions, as well as parent and child attachment play sessions, both in our centre in Loughrea, Co. Galway and outreach. Family support is offered online, as well as facilitating workshops such as our ‘Parenting Through Cancer’ series which has been funded by the HSE. At Hand in Hand, we endeavour to provide emotional and practical supports to families, and should the family be in a different geographical area to our centre, we do our utmost to source services local to the family home.

What is something you are proud of in your career?

Oh wow, there have been so many highlights, and to be honest, seeing each child that I have the honour of working with walk out of the playroom with their head held that bit higher always makes me feel proud, that they used the safe space in their own way. I will be eternally in awe of their individual strength and resilience. I am also very proud that our ‘Care Bags’ have been fulfilled; we send each new referral a care bag which includes small items to make their journey to the hospital and time in hospital that little bit easier. There is also an exciting project currently in the making, which is funded by the Toy Show Appeal……..all to be revealed in February 2023!!

What is something (a fun fact) that your work colleagues might not know about you?

I play basketball (all soaring 5’ 2” of me!)

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I have to say top of the list is spending time with my family and being outside; I also love a good book shop – hard to beat Charlie Byrnes in Galway City!