Counselling can offer you the time and space to talk through whatever issues or concerns you may be experiencing. It offers a supportive and confidential relationship that enables you to explore and discover ways of coping and dealing with your situation. At times, having somebody outside of the circle of family and friends, who is trained and experienced, can be helpful and sustaining.

Emotional support
Our service not only offers emotional support for patients, who are on the ward or under the care of a Macmillan nurses, but also to relatives, friends and carers at any stage of a person's illness and beyond (Bereavement Counselling).

Bereavement Counselling
A person may find they have coped quite well at the time of death but later feel the need of additional support. Sharing with someone outside the circle of friends and family cannot take away the loss, but it may help to work through the strong feelings and emotions that can accompany grief. Our team of trained volunteers provide bereavement support and counselling at the Hospice, as well as in people’s homes.

Bereavement/Support Groups
Many people find it helpful and comforting to share their experience, emotions and problems with other bereaved people who are able to empathise. Bereavement groups are facilitated by trained counsellors and are held at both Hospices once a month or as stated otherwise.

Woking Hospice Bereavement/Support Groups:

• Drop-in for people over 60, twice a month
• Bereavement Group for the under 60’s once a month
• Carers’ Group

Sam Beare Hospice Bereavement/Support Groups:

• Coffee Morning for people who lost their partner, once a month
• Drop-in Carers' Group (starting September)

Children's Bereavement Service

The Children's Bereavement Service has been established at Woking Hospice for a number of years.

Currently children between the ages 5-13 are invited to attend two special days in their first year of bereavement. These days are designed to support each child in their loss. We aim for a balanced day, filled with activities remembering their special person, with rituals, alongside fun.

Once the children have attended the two days they can then “graduate” to a Saturday YoYo club.

Due to the continued success of YoYo, and the increasing demand for children’s support, we plan to develop the Children’s Service at both Hospices, but also want to offer professional support to teenagers and young adults, in the near future.

With each referral and contact received by the service, every effort will be made to support the individual's needs.

For further information please contact our Counselling Coordinators:

Woking Hospice

Jenny Peck or Susie Baker on 01483 881750

Sam Beare Hospice

Ursular Seiler or Tracy Lewis on 01932 826092