Family Support

Patients and their families often have a variety of concerns that arise as a result of living with illness. The members of the Family Support Team are able to give help and advice in a number of ways:

Financial advice and benefits

A member of the team from the local Citizens' Advice Bureau visits the hospice each week to advise patients and their families about benefits and other financial issues

Equipment Loan

The hospice has a large stock of pieces of equipment that are loaned out to patients to improve their comfort and increase their independence so that they can stay at home for as long as possible.

The hospice has recliner chairs, pressure relieving mattresses, commodes, wheelchairs and other items that we try to deliver within 2 working days of the request being made by a District Nurse.

24-hour Adviceline

Experienced hospice staff answer this line 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We offer support and advice to hospice patients and those who care for them. Members of the public can find out about the services available and advice relating to specialist palliative care problems can be given to other professionals.

Bereavement Support

Trained volunteers meet with individuals to help them talk about their feelings, how they are coping and to assist them to move forward. There are also groups that enable bereaved people to gain support from one another, to explore their feelings and share experiences.

Some people are helped by meeting with our trained counsellor for a few weeks. We work with Young Concern to offer special support for bereaved children.

The hospice offers support to anyone from the local community who has been bereaved. You can refer yourself for Bereavement Support by calling our Adviceline (01279 773773)