Patient and Family Support

We offer a safe and confidential space to share fears, hopes and expectations.

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.

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.

How to Access Patient and Family Support Services

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.

Every year we hold an Annual Service of Remembering. This is a very important time in the life of ACCORD. The service is a mixture of poetry, music, readings, and prayer. This special time we endeavour to meet the needs of all those attending.

Each year we look at a theme for the service. This year due to the 40th Anniversary of ACCORD Hospice, we will be doing “Rubies of Remembering”.

If you would like more information about our Annual Service of Remembering please email SOR@accord.org.uk.

If you would like to enquire about one of our Support Groups, please get in touch via the form provided