It can be devastating to hear that someone close to you has received a diagnosis of a terminal or life-limiting illness. We understand that journeying with them throughout such difficult times can be very challenging for everyone involved. Here at St Clare, your wellbeing is important to us, and we are here to support you.
We offer a range of supportive services which are available for friends, relatives and carers of those we care for to access.
Supporting your psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing
Living alongside and supporting someone close to you, who has a terminal or life-limiting illness, can be difficult to process and come to terms with. As a friend, family member or relative to that person, it may also be difficult to cope with worries about the future. It is a different experience for everyone.
Whilst you may feel that you want to support your unwell relative or friend, it is also important that you take care of yourself.
Here at St Clare, we are here to walk alongside you throughout your journey, supporting you to work through any concerns, worries, difficult feelings or experiences you may be wishing to address. We are also able to help support younger members of the family, such as children and young people, who are affected by someone close becoming ill.
Our multidisciplinary Patient & Family Support Team of counsellors, social workers, a chaplain and local faith leaders are here to listen and support you at your own pace, or when you need us.
You are welcome to come along to our weekly Patient & Family Support Drop-in here at the Hospice every Friday morning between 10am and 12pm. Our drop-in is a space where you can access emotional and practical support, advice and information on hospice services and outside organisations that may be able to support you.
No appointment is necessary, and you can pop in at any time throughout the morning. For more information, email pfsadmin@stclarehospice.org.uk or call 01279 773762.
Helping you with practical arrangements
There may be practical considerations and arrangements that you wish to address in relation to what the future might look like for you and your loved one.
Our social workers can assist and guide you through things like welfare and financial services, housing, community services available to you, considerations for your family and children, planning a funeral, and more.
Meeting others with Café Clare
Café Clare offers a space to meet and connect with other local people, including those who may already have an association to our hospice. Offering an opportunity to engage with the St Clare community, Café Clare is open to all who wish to connect with their local hospice. If you’d like to find out more, please click here.
Bereavement Services
St Clare Hospice is here to support you throughout your entire experience with us. If you have lost a loved one, or are living alongside someone close who is coming to the end of their life, our bereavement services may be of interest to you. Our aim is to ensure that everyone feels supported throughout death, dying and loss, and that nobody has to face their journey alone.
To learn more about our bereavement services, please click here.
Visit our Wellbeing Hub
You can find more supportive services, events and activities that may be of interest to you at our community Wellbeing Hub. If you’d like to take a look around, please click here.
Our Wellbeing Hub is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for our additional supportive services that aim to address local people’s physical and mental wellbeing – in both living, and dying, well.