We support patients to discuss and explore their future needs- this can be around writing cards, letters or planning funeral wishes. We offer support to discuss illness with children and young people. We have books and ideas which can help families to talk about what can be difficult subjects. Supporting patients, family and friends at different times throughout illness. This support continues into dealing with grief. We can engage with outside organisations to support people in their care who are working with families who are impacted by life limiting illness.
Being able to offer a safe and confidential space is very important. We are able to support clients to share their emotions and often fears which they may hold back from their families and friends. The Patient and Family Support service help by allowing a space to share thoughts and feelings.
While this can be challenging it, it is well researched that allowing a client this space to acknowledge what is going on in their head and heart can support what is a very difficult situation. Supporting families to share with children and young people, again allows all voices to be heard. We can liaise with nurseries, schools which supports families and builds stronger networks of support.
Helping patients and families to acknowledge how life has changed helps to look at coping strategies that can support all those involved.
Joy has over 25 years’ experience of working in palliative care, including supporting the educational service at ACCORD, and is the Project Manager of the Renfrewshire Bereavement Network.
Joy is supported by two trained counsellors and a team of volunteers in our Patient and Family Support service.
Mhairi has a post graduate qualification in person centred counselling. She has undertaken additional training in working creatively with children and young people, and has over ten years’ experience of working in palliative care
Zena has a post graduate qualification in counselling. Zena brings many years of working in healthcare to her role and continues to develop her practice in palliative care.
The volunteers, who support the team are all trained at counselling skills level with additional training in loss and bereavement.
Joy is a qualified counsellor with a post graduate qualification in counselling and supervision. She holds additional qualifications in supervision which enables her to support the team. Joy has extensive training in working with families and working creatively. <p>Joy has over 25 years’ experience of working in palliative care, including supporting the educational service at ACCORD, and is the Project Manager of the Renfrewshire Bereavement Network. </p> <p>Joy is supported by two trained counsellors and a team of volunteers in our Patient and Family Support service.</p> <p> </p>
<p>Mhairi has a post graduate qualification in person centred counselling. She has undertaken additional training in working creatively with children and young people, and has over ten years’ experience of working in palliative care</p>
<p>Zena has a post graduate qualification in counselling. Zena brings many years of working in healthcare to her role and continues to develop her practice in palliative care.</p> <p>The volunteers, who support the team are all trained at counselling skills level with additional training in loss and bereavement.</p>
Renfrewshire Bereavement Support Network
Joined the Accord Hospice Patient & Family Support and Renfrewshire Bereavement Network in May 2021 as an Administration Assistant. Prior to joining Accord Hospice Rebecca completed a BA (Hons) Business Studies with HR Specialism at Glasgow Caledonian University and have worked within sectors such as Investment Banking and Procurement. While studying, Rebecca volunteered with Scottish Care and Information on Miscarriage where she had the privilege to support people who were bereaved and going through their own grieving processes. From this, Rebecca developed a passion for supporting people at their most vulnerable points and completed courses in Interacting with Clients using Telecommunications, Counselling Skills, and Mental Health Awareness to ensure she provides the best support possible.
Bereavement Groups
If you join one of our bereavement groups you will share a confidential space with others who are also dealing with grief. The groups are focused on specific losses, partner loss, parental loss, sibling loss. The groups are never more than 8 people and will be facilitated by one of our counsellors. The groups run for 8 sessions and meet every two weeks. Each person’s grief is unique to their own individual experience, however there are many commonalties that can be shared in the group, which helps to take away the isolation that grief can bring. We encourage that you try and attend all sessions.
Walking with Grief Group
Our walking with grief group has been running for a number of years. The group meets every Friday at our outreach building based at the RAH. Those attending the group have all been bereaved, some are walking more recently with their grief while others are further on in how they are living with grief. The walks are all around 1 hour long and are low level walking. The group have an annual day away where the group choose where they would like to go.
Gardening Group
Our gardening group meets at the hospice and tend to two areas at the back. The group meets on a Thursday and is led by a horticulturalist. Everyone who attends the group have all experienced their own grief.
Upcoming Groups
In the coming months we are building on the walking and gardening group. We are planning to expand the opportunities to meet the needs of more people by offering groups in art, crafts, cupcake making, poetry, relaxation, yoga and a cinema group.
If at any time you find yourself in crisis, please contact the Samaritans or Breathing Space
To access the patient and family support service, you can be referred through your GP, Hospital consultant or specialist nurse. You may be connected to another of ACCORD’s services, which can also make a referral.
If you wish to explore if we can support you in any way, you can call and speak with us directly.
Below you will find are some frequently asked questions
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