Service Providers

Our Counsellors & Facilitators

Roy Elmes

Roy Elmes

I am married to Linda and live in Ardristran, Tullow, Co Carlow. My role in Éist is an in person counsellor and Group Co-Facilitator.

In mid-January 2012 whilst on the road to recovery from colon cancer, I received a recruitment call out of the blue from Éist co-founder, the late Mary Smyth. Following a short chat during which I informed her of my situation, Mary in her own inimitable style simply said. “Ok, avail of the services we have to offer for now Roy, and you can let us know when you are ready.”
I duly commenced helping service users in Éist on a one-to-one basis in September 2012, progressing to initiating and subsequently facilitating a Mens’ Survivors Group on a twice monthly basis in 2013 and a Bereavement Group along the same lines in 2014.

A significant part of my motivation for the work in Éist comes from having a strong personal empathy with cancer patients/survivors and those who have been bereaved because of cancer.

Ann Butler​

Ann Butler

I am an accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist. Following my psychology degree, I undertook a Masters in counselling and psychotherapy in 2018.

I have been working in Éist Cancer Support Centre for 5 years. I was drawn to work in the area of cancer care because of the cancer diagnosis of my dad. I was very lucky to regularly see my own counsellor during his illness and realised that not everyone was so fortunate to have a safe space to openly speak about their experience. I facilitate the Women’s Group fortnightly at Éist. This gives women an opportunity to discuss their cancer experience with other women in a safe space. 

I feel very privileged to work with people diagnosed with cancer and their families. I am constantly inspired by the people I support in my work and I find my work very rewarding. Sometimes all people need is a listening ear for their worries or reassurance that their feelings are normal. But often people need more ongoing support and knowledge and new tools and strategies that they can use going forward, to recover and rebuild their lives following a cancer diagnosis.

“The service was a great help to me to get me through a very hard time in my life. I will be forever grateful to Ann for my counselling and all the other beautiful ladies in Éist that helped me along the way”.

Mary Cowan

Mary Cowan

I am a co-facilitator for the Men’s Cancer Support Group and the Bereavement Group at the Éist Cancer Support Centre. I work with Roy Elmes and we both strive to create a safe environment for those who find themselves in need of additional support and compassion at a very difficult and often life altering time. My background is as a nurse, currently working with the Community Intervention Team for Carlow/Kilkenny. My work as part of this fabulous team is largely involved with delivering oncology at a clinical level whilst also bringing support, physically and emotionally, to all my patients.

In 2018, following a cancer diagnosis, I found myself in the heart-breaking position of having to turn to the wonderful staff at Éist for support and through their unwavering support was able to strive to find my new normal. With the encouragement of Roy I went on to complete a course in facilitation and have worked alongside him since 2022. Roy and I are deeply committed to delivering an environment where people share, unburden and acquire skills that will allow them to discover ways to adjust and manage the new reality in which they find themselves.

It is my hope that the work we both do does in some way assist the wonderful people that attend Éist and that they find solace in the knowledge that they are not alone.

Our MLD Therapist

Sasha Roche Kelly

Sasha Roche Kelly

I am a Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) Therapist providing advice and treatment for clients who are at risk of developing or who have developed lymphoedema. Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, or oftentimes referred to as MLD, is a light, skin-stretching massage that helps promote the movement of lymphatic fluid from the swollen limb. It should not be confused with a traditional massage. MLD is specifically focused on the lymph vessels to help the flow of lymphatic fluid.

Prior to joining Éist in 2016 I was a Registered General Nurse (RGN) and have a Diploma in Oncology nursing and a Masters in clinical practice and Advanced Nurse Certificate. I have been working in the area of cancer since qualifying as a Registered General Nurse and am experienced in dealing with patients who develop lymphoedema and their difficulties in accessing services and treatment for their life-long condition. In 2014 I decided to study Manual Lymph Drainage at the Dr. Vodder Academy, and I have worked full time in the area of lymphatic health since I finished working as an oncology nurse in 2017.

I feel that my nursing background along with lymph drainage gives me insight and understanding about a client cancer journey and I am passionate about empowering clients and improving their quality-of-life post cancer diagnosis.

“This is an amazing service, I would be lost without it as I suffer from lymphoedema in my arms, my therapist is an amazing beautiful person”.

Our Reflexologists

Amelia English

Amelia English

I’m a qualified and accredited Reflexologist at Éist.

Reflexology is a holistic therapy, in that it treats the whole body and not the symptoms of the illness, therefore most people benefit regardless of age or sex. Illness, stress, injury or disease can cause the body to go out of balance and Reflexology helps to restore this balance in a gentle way.

I qualified as a Reflexologist in 2005 and an opportunity came up to specialise in oncology reflexology. I started my journey working on people with a cancer diagnosis and worked solely until I joined the wonderful team of Éist and have been here over 10 years.

I knew when I was studying reflexology that I wanted to do this worthwhile work, I consider myself very lucky to be able to work at something I love.
I am a member of the National Register of Reflexologists Ireland for 20 years.

“Amelia is a very professional person who explained everything she was doing as regards Reflexology. She has loads of empathy and is a very caring person and listens attentively to the person while carrying out her session. She is excellent. “

Sheila Murphy

Sheila Murphy

I am an accredited reflexologist providing oncology reflexology to clients. This treatment is considered gentle touch. It is an amazing therapy that works through the feet and affects the whole body on a physical, emotional and mental level.

In my earlier years I qualified as a carer and spent many years in this area before deciding on a different direction to helping others. In the years leading up to qualifying I developed an interest in holistic healing, especially reflexology and after receiving this treatment many times, the effects of this treatment always amazed me.

I qualified as a reflexologist in 2016 while living in the UK. Whilst doing a Masters in Reflexology I studied different aspects of reflexology, one of which was reflexology for cancer care. Here began my journey into this area of helping others in a great time of need. I found this treatment really helped to soothe, calm and relax in a time of emotional and mental stress. The approach and deliverance of this gentle touch therapy has a beautiful and natural flow which transfers across to my clients.

“Sheila has a very caring nature and gentle way and that came through with every session, its hard to forget a cancer diagnosis sometimes but the reflexology certainly helped. I appreciate the sessions I received with Éist.”