Wigan and Leigh Hospice aims to support not only the patient living with a life-threatening illness but also their family and significant others for as long as the latter have assessed needs

The Hospice’s Patient and Carer Support Worker offers a range of therapeutic inputs and skills to these ends. Working with others, including the Hospice’s complementary therapists and its team of volunteer bereavement workers they:

• assess the bereavement needs of patients and their significant others

• co-ordinate the Hospice’s bereavement services in their widest form.

The bereavement service is run by the Patient and Carer Support Worker and a dedicated team of volunteer bereavement support workers. All these volunteers have been carefully selected and undergone appropriate training. On-going training and supervision form part of the framework the Hospice adopts in order to offer effective bereavement support. The volunteers offer a listening ear to help individuals work through their grief. Visits are arranged at mutually convenient times, either at home or at the Hospice. The number of visits is dependent upon individual need. It can be a great comfort and relief to have someone to talk to. Confidentiality is assured throughout.

The Hospice’s complementary therapists form part of the Patient and Carer Support Service. Therapies are offered on a needs-assessed basis to relatives/informal carers on the in-patient unit, in conventional Day Hospice, during the Day Hospice support days and occasionally on a domiciliary basis. They are designed to help carers both to deal with the stresses of caring and to help them to develop positive coping strategies. The complementary therapies available include hypnotherapy, relaxation therapy, Reiki, therapeutic touch, counselling, meditation, aromatherapy, reflexology, massage, group and family therapy. The Hospice aims to expand the range of therapies on offer and their availability as resources allow.