The Bereavement Service is managed by the Hospice’s Patient and Carer Worker (PCSW) and a team of dedicated volunteer support workers.

One to One Service
Our Patient and Carer Support Worker (PCSW) will be your first point of contact. She will visit you and explain our service in more detail. Following this a referral to one of our trained volunteers, who will contact you and arrange a mutually convenient time to meet. It can be either at your home or at the Hospice, which ever you prefer. As bereavement is a unique experience for each individual the number of visits will depend on the person’s needs as assessed by the co-ordinator.

Family and friends can be very supportive but sometimes you can suppress your feelings, not wanting to compound their grief with yours. Our one-to-one support is for individuals who are experiencing difficulty with their grief. It can be a comfort to have emotional support and a
listening ear.

Our volunteers have all been carefully selected. They have attended training courses in bereavement and have regular supervision. However they are not trained counsellors.

Coffee Evening
Held on the first Wednesday evening in every month from 7.30 pm until 9.00 pm. During the evening we may have quizzes, beetle drives, guest speakers etc. You are most welcome to attend and to bring along other family members and friends if you wish.

The evening is very informal. It offers people the opportunity to talk to others who are also experiencing bereavement. Those who attend are at different stages of their grief. Our PCSW and trained volunteers are on hand. Most of the latter have experienced bereavement themselves and are now well adjusted and back on life’s path. Their support and understanding in a safe environment may help to ease the pain and aid the healing process.

A warm welcome will await you in reception from one of our volunteers who will show you to the lounge. A volunteer will stay with you as you enjoy light refreshments and become acquainted with other guests. We aim to provide an informal, sensitive and understanding atmosphere within which the group can offer mutual support to each other.

Evening courses
Held at the hospice for our bereaved. These include:

Computer Courses - Intermediate and beginners run by tutors from Wigan & Leigh College.
Domino Drive - Fortnightly.
Art - Weekly.
Clay Modelling - Due to start in the New Year.
D.I.Y. - To be run at the Wigan & Leigh College in the near future.

All the above courses are free to our bereaved. Please contact Tina Walsh (P.C.S.W)
to book a place.

Support Groups
Usually run in the afternoons on a monthly basis. It gives our bereaved an opportunity in a supportive environment to meet others in similar circumstances. It’s a chance to share feelings and experiences with each other. Our P.C.S.W acts as a facilitator with the last _ hour of the 1 _ hour session for relaxation using guided imagery.

Please contact Tina Walsh for further information.

“Hands On Therapy” Support Day (every Friday)
Our bereaved are offered 6 weekly 1hr sessions of aromatherapy and massage run by fully qualified therapists. This service is free of charge but there does tend to be a waiting list.

Please contact Tina Walsh to book a place.

We also have links with the Citizen Advice Bureau and can offer help on a practical level, i.e. benefits, housing etc.