Published on: Monday 27 Feb 2023 at 12:59
As of November 2023 this drop-in session has now been updated – you can still find us on a Thursday but the location is now Jubilee Gardens, with Cafe Clare in the morning and a drop-in, in the afternoon. Updated details are on our Cafe Clare page.
Hospice brings specialist services to the heart of Saffron Walden
West Essex and East Hertfordshire charity, St Clare Hospice, is expanding its services into the heart of Saffron Walden with a new ‘Wellbeing Hub’.
St Clare Wellbeing Hub – Saffron Walden, delivers a range of specialist services directly to the people of Saffron Walden and surrounding villages. Meaning those living locally with life-limiting conditions can be helped to live well, with the weekly drop-in hub taking place every Thursday from 10am – 3pm in the Salvation Army Hall.
The Wellbeing Hub runs a rolling schedule of sessions, bringing the current wide range of specialist support offered at the Hospice site in Hastingwood, to the town. This will include therapies support, social work support, and specialist nurse specialist input. People with diagnoses including (but not limited to) cancer, heart, lung and kidney conditions, and neurological conditions, will benefit.
Support includes: information on finances, benefits and future planning; emotional and spiritual support; fatigue and breathlessness management; mindfulness and relaxation; a drop-in café and dedicated fortnightly Bereavement Café.
Bringing your Hospice, to you
Tracey Hall, Head of Community Engagement, is running the project and said: “We’re delighted to be bringing our specialist Hospice services straight to the people of Saffron Walden. We know that the distance to the main Hospice site is a challenge for many local people. We hope that the new weekly Wellbeing Hub will mean more people with life-limiting conditions can get the support they need and deserve.”
“If you have been recently diagnosed with a life-limiting condition, for example cancer, heart failure, COPD, or Parkinson’s, we are here to support you and help you to live well. The Wellbeing Hub’s aim is to be there for more people, from an earlier point in their diagnosis. We want more local people to get the advice and support they need, as early as possible.”
Tracey continued: “Being told that you have something that cannot be cured comes with so many questions and fears for people. From how to get benefits and financial support, to having conversations with their family, and planning their future care. Our expert professionals can also give advice and run sessions to help people to stay well for longer, and to keep doing the things they love. This can include tips for fatigue management, breathlessness workshops, and advice on managing nutrition and medication.”
Services to help you live well
A St Clare Community Hub was first launched in Saffron Walden at the Salvation Army in 2021 with social work and counselling support on offer. The success of this pilot project has led to the expansion of services on offer at the new Wellbeing Hub. It means that a wider range of Hospice services will be available to people in the town, and on a more regular basis.
As well as a schedule of specialist sessions, the Wellbeing Hub also includes a fortnightly Bereavement Café for local people looking to connect and find support from others experiencing grief and loss.
There is also the chance for anyone to drop-in, every single Thursday, during the Café Clare session from 1pm – 3pm. You don’t need to pre-book, and it is open to all people wishing to find out more about St Clare Hospice.
The Saffron Walden Wellbeing Hub takes place every Thursday, 10am – 3pm, at the Salvation Army Hall (Abbey Lane, CB10 1AG). Parking at Swan Meadow Car Park.
The Wellbeing Hub officially opens on a weekly basis from Thursday 2nd March 2023.
Find out more
For more information and to view the Spring/Summer 2023 schedule of sessions, click here.
Contact Tracey Hall, Head of Community Engagement, on 01279 773700 or info@stclarehospice.org.uk for information