It’s estimated that for every individual facing a life-limiting or life-threatening condition, five family members are directly affected. At St Michael’s, our goal is to empower families to navigate every stage of their loved one’s journey. Our dedicated teams offer comprehensive psychological, emotional, and practical support.
SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AND CARERS
We are here for you for whenever you might need us
What we do
Our Supportive Care professionals deliver a wide array of services, including pre and post-bereavement support, advocacy, coordination of services within the hospices and with other agencies, and hosting various support groups. We are here to provide holistic assistance, ensuring families feel supported and prepared throughout their challenging experiences.
How we can help you
- We can enhance well-being and resilience, supporting family members in meeting the needs of their loved ones facing a terminal illness.
- Facilitate support groups, connecting individuals in similar circumstances, reducing isolation, and nurturing resilience, self-esteem, and a sense of identity.
- Offer advocacy to facilitate access to services from various health, education, and social care providers.
- Extend continuous bereavement support for as long as necessary, aiding families in coping both individually and as a unit throughout the extended grieving process.
Support for children
We understand that children and young people experience grief just as profoundly as adults, and our commitment lies in assisting families to support them through their loss and grief. Through HOPE at St Michael’s, we offer both group and individual support tailored for children and young people aged from 5 to 25. We are dedicated to providing the necessary help and understanding during this challenging time.
It's the little things
At St Michael’s Hospice, we offer free Holding Hearts as a symbol of comfort and support. These 3D heart shapes are expertly crafted from olive wood, fitting perfectly in the palm of your hand.
Holding Hearts offer comfort in several meaningful ways. The heart shape itself signifies love, making it a powerful symbol when held by patients seeking comfort and support.
Families and friends often “infuse them with love” by holding the hearts tightly before placing them in the hands of their loved ones. This gesture becomes particularly significant when patients are unable to communicate fully. The simple act of placing a heart in their hand conveys deep, unspoken love and connection. Many of these hearts even accompany loved ones in their final resting places, a lasting symbol of the family’s enduring love.
Specialist Dementia Support
At St Michael’s Hospice, we understand the complexities of dementia and are here to support both patients and their families or carers every step of the way.
About our support groups
Our Teacakes and chat group followed by a movie matinee is a informal chance for carers to find out more about our services, chat to our team and other carers, and then enjoy a movie on our big screen in our light and airy day services room.
The group is open to all carers and cared-for people living with a terminal illness.
When is the group held?
The group is held on the third Tuesday of every month from 10.30am-12.30pm.
If you would like to stay for the movie matinee, that runs from 1.30pm – 3.30pm.
How do I attend?
If you’d like to attend, please pre-register by contacting our team on: 01432 852619
Our Hand-in-Hand Carers’ Support Group offers the chance to meet up with other carers.
Come together in the serene ambiance of St Michael’s Hospice’s Garden Room to enjoy conversations over tea or lunch. Attendees can indulge in Complementary Therapies and occasional short talks or demonstrations.
Our dedicated hospice care staff are readily available, providing practical and emotional support to all. Additionally, they ensure that group members are well-informed with the latest and most relevant caregivers’ information.
Who can attend?
- The group is open to the carer and cared-for person.
- If you look after a relative, neighbour or friend then you’re a carer and welcome to join.
- We encourage both the carer and cared-for person to join us.
How to attend:
Referrals can be made by the nursing team on the Inpatient wing, doctors, Day Services staff, the physiotherapy team and from all other support groups within St Michael’s or you can self-refer.
When does the group meet?
The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month and runs from 10am – 12.30pm.
For an up-to-date list of dates, please get in touch with our team.
Join us for our free Huntington’s Disease Support Group – a place where understanding meets compassion, and where families, caregivers, and friends supporting someone with Huntington’s come together as a united community.
At our group, we believe in the power of shared experiences and the strength of collective support. If you are navigating the challenges of Huntington’s disease alongside your loved ones, you’re not alone.
Join us in this safe and nurturing space where your concerns find empathetic ears and your questions meet knowledgeable answers. Our group is not just about finding advice; it’s about discovering a network of people who truly understand. Here, professionals and fellow caregivers converge, offering insights, guidance, and most importantly, a sense of belonging. Together, we’ll navigate this journey, lending a helping hand and a listening heart. Come along and let’s face the road ahead together, because support is the foundation upon which resilience is built.
Click here to find the next available group and details of how to join.
What we do:
The free-to-attend Neurological Support Group strives to promote well-being and improve the quality of life for individuals facing advanced, progressive neurological conditions like Parkinson’s or motor neurone disease. Patient’s can be referred by a GP, Consultant or healthcare provider.
At the program’s outset, each patient and their caregiver will undergo an assessment to identify their specific needs. As the sessions progress, you’ll be able to engage with therapists, our Supportive Care Team, or doctors.
Active participation within your comfort zone is encouraged. Every session incorporates either relaxation or exercise, providing an opportunity to interact with different professionals on the team. While it’s understood that some sessions may be challenging to attend, we strongly recommend attending each session to fully benefit from the comprehensive support and information this course offers.
The group aims to:
- To offer support to people in similar situations
- To offer a safe environment to share problems
- To alleviate isolation felt by patients and carers
- To provide advice and up-to-date information
The sessions encompasses:
- Connecting with others on a similar journey for social support.
- Customised active exercises for specific needs.
- Relaxation techniques.
- Practical assistance.
- Complementary therapy.
- Management of pain and symptoms.
- Emotional support for both patients and their families.
- Opportunities for Advance Care Planning.
- Access to specialised palliative care.
- Parkinson’s Disease Nurse in attendance
- Neurological Occupational Therapist in attendance
About the group
Join us for our Young Dementia Support Group – a place where understanding meets compassion, and where families, caregivers, and friends supporting someone with dementia come together as a united community.
At our group, we believe in the power of shared experiences and the strength of collective support. If you are navigating the challenges of dementia alongside your loved ones, you’re not alone. This group is for you if you have been diagnosed with dementia before the age of 65 or you are a carer of a person diagnosed with dementia before 65.
Join us in this safe and nurturing space where your concerns find empathetic ears and your questions meet knowledgeable answers. Our group is not just about finding advice; it’s about discovering a network of people who truly understand. Here, professionals and fellow caregivers converge, offering insights, guidance, and most importantly, a sense of belonging. Together, we’ll navigate this journey, lending a helping hand and a listening heart. Come along and let’s face the road ahead together, because support is the foundation upon which resilience is built.
Is this group for me?
Anyone caring for someone under 65 with dementia registered with a Herefordshire GP can come along, but we do have limited numbers so express your interest early in order to secure your place.
The group usually runs the last Thursday of the month (excluding December) from 10am – 12pm.
Location: The Garden Room at St Michael’s Hospice, Bartestree, Hereford HR1 4HA
How to attend
We have limited places on each group, so we’d ask that you click the button to express your interest in attending. Please state which date and location you’d like to attend and one of our friendly team will be back in touch with you.
Alternatively, call 01432 852080 and ask for Sarah Farnsworth – Dementia & Wellbeing Sister
Click here to find available dates for this group and details of how to how to join
The Orchard Dementia Café, at St Michael’s Hospice, offers a supportive environment for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Held in the hospice’s day facility from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, it provides a relaxed setting for socialising and connecting with others facing similar challenges. Open to individuals diagnosed with dementia and their registered caregivers from Herefordshire, the café offers refreshments, activities, quizzes, and music to enhance the experience. Additionally, staff members will be available to offer information, advice, and support throughout the session. The café will be a recurring event, taking place on the first Tuesday of every month.
If you would like to find out more or attend, click here
Embark on a transformative journey to enhance your caregiving skills and prioritise your own wellbeing with our Dementia Carer Wellbeing Course. Designed to empower and support caregivers of individuals living with dementia, this 8-week course provides invaluable practical advice and essential information to navigate the challenges of the caregiving role.
At the heart of the program is a commitment to peer support, creating a compassionate community where carers can share experiences and insights. We understand that managing stress is integral to effective caregiving, so we offer tailored strategies to help you cope. What sets this course apart is the unique provision allowing carers to bring the individuals they care for, who will join The Orchard Club—a specially curated group with engaging activities and dedicated care.
Take the step towards a more fulfilling caregiving experience by enrolling in our Dementia Carer Wellbeing Course, where care extends beyond the individual to the entire caregiving community.
Is this course for me?
This course is ideal if you are a carer of a person with dementia who is registered with a Herefordshire GP.
How to book:
We have limited places on he course, so we’d ask that you click the link below to express your interest in attending and one of our friendly team will be back in touch with you.
Alternatively, call 01432 852080 and ask for Sarah Farnsworth – Dementia & Wellbeing Sister.
At St Michael’s Hospice, we understand the challenges faced by carers in providing support to individuals living with life-limiting illnesses. To assist you in ensuring the well-being of both caregivers and patients, we offer specialised Moving and Handling training services.
What We Offer:
Our Moving and Handling training team is dedicated to providing advice and support to carers. This service is specifically designed to help reduce the risk of injury caused by moving and handling people or loads. Whether you are a family member, friend, or professional caregiver, our goal is to enhance your skills and knowledge in a way that ensures the safety and comfort of both you and your loved ones.
Who Can Benefit: This service is available for all carers of individuals living with a life-limiting illness. We welcome self-referrals as well as referrals from any professionals involved in caregiving.
How to Contact Us:
- Call: 01432 852638
- E-mail: education@smhospicehereford.org
Referral Process:
We accept referrals from both individuals and professionals. Once we receive a referral, our team will promptly reach out to you to arrange an appointment. During this assessment, we will work with you to understand your unique moving and handling requirements and tailor our support accordingly.
Your well-being and the well-being of those you care for are our top priorities. Please feel free to reach out to us to access this valuable service and gain the support you need.
Find a group to attend
06 November 2024
Come and Chat: Bereavement Group (Ross-on-Wye)
Join us for our free monthly bereavement group, open to anyone within Herefordshire.
Read more
12 November 2024
Huntington’s Disease Support Group
Our group is not just about finding advice; it's about discovering a network of people who truly understand.
Read more
28 October 2024
Come and Chat: Bereavement Group (Ledbury)
Join us for our free monthly bereavement group, open to anyone within Herefordshire. You’re not alone on this journey.
Read more
14 October 2024
Come and Sing: With New Days Choir
You don't need to have any singing experience, just come and have fun singing with us
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06 November 2024
Come and Chat: Bereavement Group (Hereford)
Join us for our free monthly Hereford bereavement group, open to anyone within Herefordshire.
Read more
21 October 2024
Come and Chat: Bereavement Group (Kington)
Join us for our free monthly bereavement group, open to anyone within Herefordshire. You’re not alone on this journey.
Read more
Further support
Counselling & advice
We offer a counselling service for those affected by a terminal illness, either as a patient, a family member, or a carer. Talking through the changes you are experiencing can help you to recognise your problems, make positive changes and enhance your wellbeing.
Support for children
Through HOPE at St Michael’s, we offer both group and individual support tailored for children and young people aged from 2 to 25. We are dedicated to providing the necessary help and understanding during this challenging time.
Support for life's practicalities
Our social workers specialising in palliative care are here to offer practical advice and emotional support. They assist with immediate concerns and are dedicated to helping you navigate your hopes and aspirations for the future.