Lord Mayor's Community and Voluntary Awards: Recognition 'meant so much' for Cork Cancer Care Centre

People making a difference in their communities in Cork are set to be recognised at the 2025 Cork City Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary Awards, with nominations for the forthcoming edition of the awards closing this coming Friday April 4.

Since 2004, the Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary Awards have recognised over 130 voluntary and community groups across Cork City for their contribution to life in the city.

Iris House Cork Cancer Care Centre won the Lord Mayor Community Volunteer Award for 2024 in the recreation, sport, health and wellbeing category. Rebranded in mid-2024 , the organisation was formerly known as the Cork Cancer Care Centre. The group provide comprehensive support to individuals and families affected by cancer.

Linda Goggin-James, the CEO of Iris House, discussed with The Echo the significance of winning the award.

“What we felt with the recognition that we got was that it raises awareness of the services that we provide, so that anyone knows where we are for them. It also reinforces cancer community support.

“Community support is at the heart of what we do. It shines the journey that they are on and the need for compassion in cancer support.

“It is all about highlighting all of the hard work of our volunteers and staff. It just means so much. It gave us a lot of press in what we do. So we were really proud to recieve the award.”

Among the services provided by the centre include counselling , psychotherapy, holistic treatments, wig and scarf bank, group activities, and meditation and wellness programmes. The primary focus at Iris House is on mental health and well-being, which is why the group does not limit the number of sessions to each client. The same is true for the holistic therapies they offer.

The idea for the centre was conceived by Ann Dowley Spillane who, following her diagnosis and whilst undergoing treatment, became aware of the need to support each other with ideas, advice, and most importantly, a shoulder to lean on.

Ms Goggin-James added: “Having cancer, it is a very scary place to be in. People feel very low because they don’t want to upset anyone at home. This is the place where they can come to speak to a counsellor. Or where have peer support groups, where there are other people going through cancer can sit and meet.

“A lot of the services are very important for people going through cancer.”

Iris House is reliant on the generosity of public donations and fundraising efforts, as the group does not receive funding from the Health Service Executive or from the Government.

The categories for the 2025 Cork City Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary Awards are:  

• Arts, Culture, Recreation & Heritage 
• Climate Action, Active Travel & Sustainable Development
• Community Development & Lifelong Learning
• Recreation, Sport, Heath & Wellbeing 
• Social Inclusion, Advocacy & Integration
• Social Services, Charities & Environment

The Echo will be sharing the stories of the nominees and the award winners over the next few weeks and months ahead.

The closing date for nominations is Friday April 4. The winners will then be announced at a Civic Ceremony in Cork City Hall on Wednesday May 7.

Members of the public are invited to nominate community and voluntary groups they would like to see recognised for the good work in which they do.

Applications for the 2025 Cork City Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary Awards can be made online at corkcity.ie/lordmayorawards.