Family Support

We understand the impact of a life-limiting illness on you and the people closest to you. It’s why, over the years, we have developed a broad range of services to help people at what can be a very challenging time.

Our staff are trained to recognise the difficulties which you, your family and carers face when someone is seriously ill.

When any of our team speak with patients, they offer an emotional and psychological support service. They give each person the time and space they need to talk about their concerns when circumstances are changing and help them to find ways of coping.

The social workers also support with practical concerns which may include advice regarding benefits or housing in order to help patients, carers and families who are worried about how they will cope in new and often unexpected circumstances.

The team, in particular the chaplains, also offer support around spirituality, which is often a focus for people when they are approaching the end of their life.

What Family Support services do we offer?

  • Emotional, practical and spiritual support
  • 1:1 or group bereavement sessions
  • Providing information and support for families
  • Helping patients and their family to talk together
  • Arranging practical support for patients at home
  • Acting as a link with other professionals
  • Acting as an advocate for patients
  • Carer’s assessment and support for carers/family members
  • Facilitating safe and timely hospice discharges

We focus on living life to the full and making the most of the time people are with us. There is so much laughter and joy around the hospice and we are very fortunate that we’re not heavily time restricted, so for the most part we can spend time with our patients and their families as they need us.
People often ask me if it’s sad working at the hospice, but I love working here as it is a place often filled with happiness and laughter despite the reasons people have for being here. I had a placement here when I was a student social worker 11 years ago and I always wanted to come back and work here, so when the previous social worker retired, I was lucky enough to successfully interview and started working here professionally just over 4 years ago.
Sarah James Family Support Lead

Family Support FAQ

What might support look like?

All bereavement support sessions are tailored to the needs of the individual and may include one to one sessions or group activities. Sessions could entail the creation of memory books, discussions, listening, sharing experiences and developing coping strategies; signposting where appropriate.

What is the acceptance criteria for our Family Support Services?

Child bereavement support is offered to children and young people up to the age of 19 years (no prior connection with Nightingale House Hospice is required). For all other services not linked to child bereavement, the individual must be known to our hospice services.

What services do the Family Support Team offer?

We work holistically, considering practical, emotional, spiritual and social needs, as well as offering support to patients and their family and friends.

Get In Touch

For more information on Family Support please call 01978 316800 or complete and submit the form below:

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