Family, Patient & Carer Support

Family and Patient Support Services  

Our hospice support services offer flexible and creative care, working at each individual or family’s pace through phone, online, or in-person sessions.

Support for families of palliative care patients

We support young families faced with the life-limiting diagnosis of a parent or loved one. This includes supporting parents and guardians to have difficult conversations with their children and young people. Families find early access to our guidance, information and resources helpful so that the children can be gently helped to understand and adjust to life-changing events.  

Sometimes the work involves seeing children and young people individually, which offers them a secure and contained space to explore their thoughts and feelings. Where needed, this therapeutic relationship and support may continue into the bereavement. We can also link with schools and other professionals to enhance this support. 

In bereavement, we provide opportunities for young families to come together to share their experiences. If you feel you or your family would benefit from our support, please speak to your hospice nurse or professional, or contact the Family & Patient Support Team. 

Samsara – bereavement for children and young people

Samsara is our children and young people’s bereavement service, helping them after the death of their parent. Working creatively, we help children individually and in groups to explore and make sense of their emotions, developing ways of coping when things are confusing or difficult. 

To find out more about Samsara, please contact Family and Patient Support Services by calling 01823 333822 or 01935 709480 or email [email protected]. 

Please note that calls to and from the hospice may be recorded for training and quality purposes. 

Supporting a child and young person when someone is not expected to live  

When someone in the family has a life-limiting illness and is not expected to live, the prospect of breaking the news to children can be daunting. We have created a resource to help parents and carers support their children through this difficult process. 

Carer Support

The Carer and Patient Support team offers regular one-to-one support for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their carers, providing a safe space to share feelings and concerns. We help explore what matters most to you, both now and in the future, and understand that managing emotions and adjusting to a new routine can be challenging.

Supporting carers is integral to our values at St Margaret’s, as we believe in providing patient-centred, compassionate care that respects individual needs. We are committed to offering high-quality palliative and end-of-life care not only for the person who is ill but also for you, both now and during bereavement. Caring frequently brings challenges, rewards and a whole range of emotions that you may not feel ready for.   When you care for someone with a life-limiting illness, it’s perfectly natural to focus on their needs and forget about your own. A balance between the two will help to support your well-being and resilience.  

To discuss support for yourself, please get in touch: Call 01823 333822 or 01935 709480, option 1, or email [email protected]