Social, Psychological & Spiritual care

Many people find coping with a life-limiting illness raises a variety of feelings, questions as well as social or practical difficulties. All Hospice staff recognise that patients and their families may have emotional, spiritual or social support needs, and the Hospice has a team of staff who are specifically trained to support them with these. This service is led by our Head of Social, Psychological and Spiritual Care. 

Emotional Support

Emotional support is offered to patients, relatives, friends and carers on an on-going basis. If it is felt this would be of benefit to the patient and their family we can provide a service to support them either individually or as part of a group.

Breast Friends

This group is for anyone who currently has or has had breast cancer.  It is a chance to meet with others in a similar situation.  Here the patient will have the opportunity to talk and to listen, make new friends, find support and receive encouragement. 

Spouses/Partners Group

Spouses or partners may find a group support setting to be of help to them following bereavement.  Here they will meet people for support and friendship who are in the similar position to themselves.  The group provides people with the opportunity to explore their situation and acquire the skills to face the future.  Particular groups are organized in response to need.

Alternatively 1-1 counselling may be of more benefit.  During this time the patient's family will have the opportunity to offload their feelings which may help to make day to day living easier.  It is sometimes more comfortable to talk to someone outside their own circle of family and friends.  Often it helps the family not to have to go through things on their own but to be able to share memories, good or bad, with someone who is able to listen without being emotionally involved.

Support for Children

Although we are not a specialist service for children, we will work with children and young people if we feel we can help them come to terms with their loss.  If not we will offer advice and refer them to other services that will be better suited to address the child’s needs. 

For further details on any of the above contact the Counselling Department by calling 020 8320 5811 or email counselling@gbch.org.uk 

Benefits and Welfare Advice

Our social worker provides emotional support and counselling to patients and their families, including children, in the Hospice, within the community and at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich.  Our social worker can also give advice on welfare benefits, housing issues, social services support and carers’ issues. 

This service can be accessed by calling 020 8320 5784 or email counselling@gbch.org.uk   

Support for Carers

As well as our general support for carers, we have a Volunteer Befriending Service for carers of people with advanced disease who live in Greenwich borough.