Supporting families
“We are here for both patients and families, and we want to help you access the right support and services, so you can continue to be a family and live well together.”
Farleigh’s Family Support team offers practical and emotional support to patients, families, and carers. The team consists of social workers, counsellors, support worker, and a carer’s coordinator. They work together to help families through a very difficult time in their life.
The support they offer is based on individual needs and can include anything from counselling, advocacy, access to services and resources, including social care and care packages, signposting for financial and welfare advice, and support for carers.
Jenny Watmore-Eve, Social Worker said: “When someone you know is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, it can affect you more than you might realise. We are here to offer support and guidance to families and carers. We work out in the community, visiting people in their own homes, as well as on the Inpatient Unit, here at the hospice.
“We aim to walk alongside you, finding out what is important to you, and help you be a family again. We want to enable you to be their wife, husband, daughter or son, rather than just a carer. This can be achieved through the right care package, enabling you to spend quality time together, enjoying a nice lunch, watching a film, having afternoon tea or simply having a chat. While you are enjoying being a family, the day to day care can be delivered by a care provider, or when appropriate Farleigh Hospice.
“As a carer, it is so important to take time for yourself. Here at Farleigh, we offer a carers drop in group every Wednesday from 11am – 1pm. Our very knowledgeable volunteers are on hand to offer help and advice, and it’s a great opportunity to talk to people who are going through a similar experience.
“We also understand how difficult it can be to go out and about when you are a carer. But it is so important to take care of yourself and that is why we can sign post you to an agency that can arrange for someone to stay with your loved one 18 The Lantern when you want time for yourself. It gives you opportunity to catch up with friends, go shopping or have your hair done. It’s these simple things that can help you feel less cut off from the world around you and help improve your emotional wellbeing.
“The support we offer is both face to face and over the phone. We regularly call our families just to make sure they are doing OK and if they need any support. It’s about offering empathy and understanding and it’s a chance for families to unload, to be honest, and open up about their feelings.”
