16th September 2026
Supporting Cancer Patients to Stay Active and Recover Well
Rehabilitation Week offers a chance to show the difference that rehabilitation makes every day.
Meet Joe, Friends of the Cancer Centre’s Physical Activity Coach, based in the Physiotherapy Department in the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre. Joe provides specialist exercise support for people living with cancer before, during and after treatment. Through a 12-week programme of personalised group and one-to-one sessions, delivered both in person and online, patients are supported to improve their fitness, strength, mobility and confidence throughout their cancer journey.
Working across both inpatient and outpatient settings, Joe helps patients manage treatment-related side effects such as fatigue, reduced fitness and muscle weakness. For hospital inpatients, particularly those requiring longer admissions, rehabilitation support can improve recovery, reduce the risk of falls, enhance readiness for discharge and help shorten hospital stays.
The service also plays a key role in cancer prehabilitation, helping patients optimise their physical wellbeing before treatment, improving their ability to cope with treatment and supporting better long-term health outcomes. Following treatment, rehabilitation sessions help patients regain fitness, recover from surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and improve their quality of life while living with and beyond cancer.
Patients can access classes virtually or face-to-face, ensuring support is available regardless of location or clinical circumstances. The programme also fosters peer support, helping participants connect with others experiencing similar challenges.
The Northern Ireland Cancer Centre Physiotherapy Team works in partnership with Active Belfast and the Public Health Agency to provide a clear pathway for patients to continue exercising safely within their local community after completing the programme.
Feedback from patients has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the significant impact the service has on improving physical wellbeing, confidence and quality of life during and after cancer treatment.
Care Opinion Patient Stories
Care Opinion is an online user feedback platform that gives service users, families and carers the opportunity to share their experience of Belfast Trust. Here is some of the fantastic feedback Joe has received:
“I know I can speak on behalf of the other participants when I say that Joe restored our confidence to live, our physical competence to exercise and attempt everyday tasks – and in doing so improved our general well-being”.
“I feel lucky to have met Joe, the Friends of the Cancer Centre Activity Coach during my stay in hospital. This has been a great help not only in a physical fitness sense but also for my mindset. It was great to have professional help to keep my fitness up during my 55 days in hospital and also the follow up when I came home with online group sessions”.
“The programme not only helped me regain strength but also restored confidence at a time when I really needed it”.
“Following treatment for cancer, it can be difficult to resume any sort of exercise. Joe’s class does make it possible”.
“The mental and physical impact of the radiotherapy was much more significant than I had anticipated. This programme has been the most helpful and supportive part of my recovery”.
“The activity classes have definitely helped with my motivation and have played a big part in my recovery. Would recommend to others the importance of physical activity in long term recovery from cancer”.
“The programme Joe runs does not just help you at the time but gives you the skills and confidence to be able to make exercise a part of your daily routine”.
“Joe and the programme have been an integral part of my physical and mental recovery and diverted me from needing more specialist care at a time when resources are stretched”.
You can add your story to the Belfast Trust Care Opinion on our website here.