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Our care

Patient and family support

Here at the hospice we understand that life-limiting illnesses affect not only the patient, but their network of family, friends and carers also. With this in mind, the care we provide is extended to include these integral people within a patient’s plan of care, as well as offering support and help to them during what can be a difficult, uncertain time.

Counsellor in patient and family support team

Counselling

When we are facing a painful or difficult time in our lives, when we feel tangled up and anxious, talking with a qualified counsellor can help make sense of confusing thoughts and feelings.

Effective counselling is respectful, non-judgemental and confidential, and creates the right conditions for free and honest expression of whatever is troubling you.

Talking with a skilled listener about your thoughts and feelings can be more useful than trying to understand or analyse them in your head alone. Being well listened to can lead you to listen to yourself a little differently and this can bring about helpful changes in how you view the problem you are facing.

Most people who come for counselling say they feel better just for being listened to properly, but counselling is not a soft option: it can be truly challenging. Facing doubts and fears in therapy often feels risky at first, but it can help people come to terms with their prognosis and face the future with courage, resilience and hope.

Jigsaw staff member holding child's hand

Bereavement support

Bereavement counselling is a key offering from our patient and family support team.

Counselling is offered by our senior counsellor and a team of qualified volunteer counsellors who are accredited and experienced. They have specific training in counselling skills and in the issues connected with grief and loss.

A person having counselling with patient and family support team

Social work

Hospice social workers specialise in working with adults and children, their families, those they are close to and their communities who are facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness and end of life care.

They use their particular skills and knowledge to help people deal with the impact of what is happening to them, including loss and bereavement, and to have a good life and a good death.

The social workers role can include sourcing practical help at home, accessing other services, advice about debt or income, maintenance, help with housing, advocacy, working with schools or employers, and/or offering psychosocial support.

They work in partnership with the people they offer support to and work alongside other professions, agencies, organisations and as part of the wider community in which they are based. They bring social care expertise and perspective to situations in order to ensure that people get the support they need.

Social worker in patient and family support team delivering bereavement counselling

Walk & Talk group

Our Walk and Talk Group is a free walking group for adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. It allows you to meet new people, share ideas and be supported by the group when you’re having a tough day.

Members of the Walk and Talk group

Spiritual care

Our spiritual care team is made up of volunteers of different ages, backgrounds, beliefs and experiences.

The team is available in Day Services, the adult in-patient unit and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, to provide compassionate companionship to patients and families, and to be a support in whatever way they may be asked.

Religious care is provided on request and we have contact with representatives of different world religions and belief organisations. Please contact the family support team for more information.

Patient and family support team member sitting in The Fold

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