Family Services

Living with a life threatening illness can have an impact on many aspects of your life, whether you are the person with the illness, a family member or a close friend. A wide range of emotional responses might occur, including sadness, anger, fear, frustration and loneliness. Practical and financial needs might have to be addressed and decisions taken. You may have difficulty in talking about these issues or in thinking about your own needs at such a time. The Family Services Team is here to offer you support.

Social Workers
The social workers can offer you emotional support as well as a range of practical services, including the arrangement of your care following a stay as an inpatient in the hospice. They can also advise you about benefit entitlements and grants.

Counsellor
The hospice counsellor can provide ongoing emotional support or counselling to you and your family, if needed, meeting with you either in your home or in the hospice.

Chaplaincy
The chaplain offers spiritual support, regardless of whether you have religious beliefs or not. He will also liaise, if you wish, with your own faith community. The hospice chapel is a quiet space for reflection and prayer, is open 24 hours a day and is available for anyone to use. For additional information please see our Chaplaincy page.

Bereavement Service
The hospice can continue to provide support through its bereavement service. Telephone support, bereavement visiting, and counselling are available depending on need. There are also opportunities to meet with others who are bereaved through

• The 'Time to Remember' which is focussed around a short time of reflection.
  
• Monthly social evenings which offer talks, games and entertainment.
  
• A Thanksgiving service which is led by our hospice chaplain.
  

Volunteers
The work of the Family Services Team is supported by specially trained volunteer visitors who are able to offer you ongoing emotional support at the hospice or in your own home.

Administrator
Our team administrator supports the work of the Family Services Team, and can be contacted by telephone if you want to find out more about our services.