Coming to terms with serious illness and dying can be difficult and distressing for all concerned. When someone is seriously ill, everyone around them is affected.  Our Family Services team, provides patients, family, and friends with an opportunity to identify and deal with the emotional, social, and spiritual impact of illness.

The Family Services Team consists of Counsellors, Social Workers, Chaplains and trained volunteers who can provide emotional, psychological, social and spiritual support.  They are available to you, your family and friends.

You can talk about your feelings and thoughts, and clarify your choices in a safe environment. You may have a particular issue that requires one or two sessions with a member of the team, or you may find that ongoing support over a period of time is needed.

Common concerns are often around children or relationships, physical and emotional changes, grief and loss or more practical issues.  The team are available to discuss your needs and the most appropriate way we can help.  

We can see people on an individual basis, as couples or as family.  The team also run bereavement groups which you are welcome to access.

Further online resources for people dealing with the death of a loved one can be found on our Grief and Loss page here.

We all have things that give our life meaning worth and purpose and these create our own unique spirituality.  Religion is one aspect of spirituality – other forms might include a love of nature, music, or family – anything that helps people make sense of their lives.

Spiritual care is available to all people regardless of their beliefs. St Wilfrid’s Hospice does not impose any agenda, religion or belief system on patients. Sometimes, a patient might like a Spiritual Carer to pray with them, to support them through a time of distress, or simply sit with them. At other times, the involvement of spiritual care may be more formal, such as giving communion, a blessing, baptisms, weddings and funerals.  The team are able to access help from local faith communities.

A member of our social work team is available to discuss any concerns you and your loved ones may have with the psychological, emotional and social care difficulties you might face during your illness. This may include helping you support children and other family members. Please ask if you would like to speak to someone from the team. They can signpost you to other services who may be able to assist you for matters such as housing and benefits.

Hospice Visitors are volunteers who are able to provide emotional support. They are available to discuss your thoughts and feelings when you are possibly keeping thoughts and feelings to yourself and unable to share them with anyone else.