Family and Bereavement Support

Family and Bereavement Support Team

At St Mary’s Hospice we understand that life-shortening illnesses affect not only the patient, but also their network of family, friends and carers. Our Family and Bereavement Support Service provides psychological, emotional and spiritual support for patients throughout their illness and for their families and carers, leading up to and following bereavement. People may need varying levels of help at any given time, and we respect this, so the support we offer is tailored to meet individual needs wherever possible. We work to support you through all the varied and often confusing feelings you may experience.

Who can access the service?

Our Support Service is available to anyone over the age of 18 who is experiencing loss, irrespective of time lapsed, cause or relationship. There is also no requirement to have had previous contact with the hospice services.

 

Meet the team

Our specially trained Family and Bereavement Support Team is made up of a Family Support Coordinator and Family & Bereavement Support Worker, along with a team of highly trained and supervised volunteers.

Donna Parker, Family and Bereavement Support Lead

Linda Nott, Bereavement Coordinator

Debbie Pearce

“I joined St Mary’s Hospice in 2016 working as a Health Care Assistant within the Hospice at Home community team and In-patient unit, caring for patients and their families. Whilst working in this role I was given the opportunity to develop my skills and knowledge through enrolling at University of Central Lancashire. I qualified as an Assistant Practitioner and graduated in 2018. 

“In 2019 I joined the Family Support and Bereavement Service as Bereavement Coordinator and have more recently taken the role of, Family and Bereavement Support Lead Practitioner. Within this role I get the absolute privilege of providing emotional care and support to patients and their families as well as working closely with our Team Lead to develop our service ensuring, we are able to support as many people as possible.”

“I have been involved with St Mary’s Hospice since 1988: starting with fundraising for the Hospice as part of the Ulverston Support Group. In 1996 I did my training to become a Bereavement Volunteer, and in 2018 I became a staff member of the Family Support Team. This year marks 25 years of supporting patients and families at the Hospice and in the community: “It has been an absolute privilege to support so many people over the years, when they are facing one of the most difficult times in their lives.” 

What support is available

Many people find it helpful to talk with someone other than a member of their family or a close friend. After an initial assessment, you will be offered confidential one to one emotional support with a trained and supervised support volunteer by telephone or face to face whichever you prefer. You will be offered support sessions with dates and times flexible to your needs and availability either at the Hospice in Ulverston or the Living Well Centre in Barrow. 

What kinds of things do people talk about? 

Different people talk about different things, it depends on their situation. There is no right or wrong subject to talk about. You might wish to talk about how you are feeling: guilt, regret, pain, relief, sadness, happiness and anger are just a few feelings you may experience before or after a death. Talking about them can help reduce their intensity and help you. 

Feedback from people who have accessed one to one support: 

“Having 1-2-1 support has allowed me to open up and talk about my grief because everyday life is busy and gives little time to think and express feelings. I would like to say a big thank you to my Bereavement Support worker who has truly helped me and made me feel comfortable to talk about how I truly feel about losing my mum. It has somehow made it a little easier” 

Many people find it helpful to talk with someone other than a member of their family or a close friend. After an initial assessment, you will be offered confidential one to one emotional support with a trained and supervised support volunteer by telephone or face to face whichever you prefer. You will be offered support sessions with dates and times flexible to your needs and availability either at the Hospice in Ulverston or the Living Well Centre in Barrow. 

What kinds of things do people talk about? 

Different people talk about different things, it depends on their situation. There is no right or wrong subject to talk about. You might wish to talk about how you are feeling: guilt, regret, pain, relief, sadness, happiness and anger are just a few feelings you may experience before or after a death. Talking about them can help reduce their intensity and help you. 

Feedback from people who have accessed one to one support: 

“Having 1-2-1 support has allowed me to open up and talk about my grief because everyday life is busy and gives little time to think and express feelings. I would like to say a big thank you to my Bereavement Support worker who has truly helped me and made me feel comfortable to talk about how I truly feel about losing my mum. It has somehow made it a little easier” 

We have many different ways you can get involved. We have the Compassionate Cafes, Forget Me Not Gardening Group, Grieving through artwork and Grief Yoga.

Compassionate Cafes

We warmly invite you to join us at our Compassionate Cafes which take place at both St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston and St Mary’s Hospice Community Hub in Barrow.

Our Compassionate Cafes offer a safe and supportive space for anyone experiencing loss.

Dates and times for our cafés which take place at St Mary’s Hospice Ulverston:

Every Tuesday morning 10am-12pm (from April – October there will also be opportunity to join our gardening group which takes place at the same time, however there is no pressure to do this, you may feel more comfortable just joining us for company and support.

Every fourth Thursday of the month 6pm-7:30pm

Dates and times for our cafés which take place at St Mary’s Hospice Community Hub in Barrow:

Every Monday morning, 10am-12pm

Forget Me Not Gardening Group

Grieving Through Art Group

Our new Creative Arts and Wellbeing Support Group ‘Grieving through Art’ provides therapeutic benefits, promoting wellbeing and relaxation as well as providing opportunity to meet others who are also experiencing loss. 

This group runs ever Monday morning at St Mary’s Hospice Community Hub 

Feedback from people who have attended this group. 

“I attended the grief therapy group. It was a super safe environment. Lexi – group leader is a very kind, caring person, with a lot of good insightful things to say. It felt like a wonderful place to be able to talk about my husband” 

St Mary’s Hospice’s Forget Me Not gardening club re-opens from 2nd April! 

St Mary’s Hospice’s gardening club meets every Tuesday 10am to 12pm, from 2th April through to September. The Forget Me Not gardening club is for anyone bereaved or facing bereavement to come along, chat, learn new gardening skills, have a cuppa or simply just be. The club is run by the Family and Bereavement Support team and a volunteer gardener Tim. 

Grief Yoga

We are delighted to be launching our new Grief Yoga Sessions. 

These sessions use yoga, movement, sounds and breath techniques, to support people in processing their grief and loss. 

Following each yoga session, attendees will be invited to stay and join the team for drinks and biscuits, where there will be opportunity to have a chat with staff and other members of the group in a supportive and relaxed environment. 

Many people find it helpful to talk with someone other than a member of their family or a close friend. After an initial assessment, you will be offered confidential one to one emotional support with a trained and supervised support volunteer by telephone or face to face whichever you prefer. You will be offered support sessions with dates and times flexible to your needs and availability either at the Hospice in Ulverston or the Living Well Centre in Barrow. 

What kinds of things do people talk about? 

Different people talk about different things, it depends on their situation. There is no right or wrong subject to talk about. You might wish to talk about how you are feeling: guilt, regret, pain, relief, sadness, happiness and anger are just a few feelings you may experience before or after a death. Talking about them can help reduce their intensity and help you. 

Feedback from people who have accessed one to one support: 

“Having 1-2-1 support has allowed me to open up and talk about my grief because everyday life is busy and gives little time to think and express feelings. I would like to say a big thank you to my Bereavement Support worker who has truly helped me and made me feel comfortable to talk about how I truly feel about losing my mum. It has somehow made it a little easier” 

Many people find it helpful to talk with someone other than a member of their family or a close friend. After an initial assessment, you will be offered confidential one to one emotional support with a trained and supervised support volunteer by telephone or face to face whichever you prefer. You will be offered support sessions with dates and times flexible to your needs and availability either at the Hospice in Ulverston or the Living Well Centre in Barrow. 

What kinds of things do people talk about? 

Different people talk about different things, it depends on their situation. There is no right or wrong subject to talk about. You might wish to talk about how you are feeling: guilt, regret, pain, relief, sadness, happiness and anger are just a few feelings you may experience before or after a death. Talking about them can help reduce their intensity and help you. 

Feedback from people who have accessed one to one support: 

“Having 1-2-1 support has allowed me to open up and talk about my grief because everyday life is busy and gives little time to think and express feelings. I would like to say a big thank you to my Bereavement Support worker who has truly helped me and made me feel comfortable to talk about how I truly feel about losing my mum. It has somehow made it a little easier” 

We have many different ways you can get involved. We have the Compassionate Cafes, Forget Me Not Gardening Group, Grieving through artwork and Grief Yoga.

Compassionate Cafes

We warmly invite you to join us at our Compassionate Cafes which take place at both St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston and St Mary’s Hospice Community Hub in Barrow.

Our Compassionate Cafes offer a safe and supportive space for anyone experiencing loss.

Dates and times for our cafés which take place at St Mary’s Hospice Ulverston:

Every Tuesday morning 10am-12pm (from April – October there will also be opportunity to join our gardening group which takes place at the same time, however there is no pressure to do this, you may feel more comfortable just joining us for company and support.

Every fourth Thursday of the month 6pm-7:30pm

Dates and times for our cafés which take place at St Mary’s Hospice Community Hub in Barrow:

Every Monday morning, 10am-12pm

Forget Me Not Gardening Group

Grieving Through Art Group

Our new Creative Arts and Wellbeing Support Group ‘Grieving through Art’ provides therapeutic benefits, promoting wellbeing and relaxation as well as providing opportunity to meet others who are also experiencing loss. 

This group runs ever Monday morning at St Mary’s Hospice Community Hub 

Feedback from people who have attended this group. 

“I attended the grief therapy group. It was a super safe environment. Lexi – group leader is a very kind, caring person, with a lot of good insightful things to say. It felt like a wonderful place to be able to talk about my husband” 

St Mary’s Hospice’s Forget Me Not gardening club re-opens from 2nd April! 

St Mary’s Hospice’s gardening club meets every Tuesday 10am to 12pm, from 2th April through to September. The Forget Me Not gardening club is for anyone bereaved or facing bereavement to come along, chat, learn new gardening skills, have a cuppa or simply just be. The club is run by the Family and Bereavement Support team and a volunteer gardener Tim. 

Grief Yoga

We are delighted to be launching our new Grief Yoga Sessions. 

These sessions use yoga, movement, sounds and breath techniques, to support people in processing their grief and loss. 

Following each yoga session, attendees will be invited to stay and join the team for drinks and biscuits, where there will be opportunity to have a chat with staff and other members of the group in a supportive and relaxed environment. 

Making a referral

You can refer yourself or a family member (with their consent) by phoning the hospice on 01229 580305. If you prefer, you can ask another health professional to refer you.

We hope the following booklet will provide you with some help, practical advice and reassurance during your bereavement:

Please click: St Mary’s Hospice Advice and Support Following Your Bereavement Booklet 

to download a copy: