Page 4 - 35yrs anniversary newspaper_Flipbook 2020
P. 4
Caring, Compassionate, Committed
Support from a safe distance
“I can’t believe the diffe- Bereavement advice from
‘Counselling gave me the rence in how I am feeling now. I
tools to help me make it want to encourage other people, our Support Team
through the bad days’ particularly young people, to ac- • Express your feelings –
cess support.” holding painful feelings inside
For Helen, losing her dad to cancer Throughout the past few may affect your grieving
when she was 27-years-old was months, our Support Team has also
something she didn’t know how to worked with the catering team to • Ask for help – relatives, friends,
talk about. provide a food delivery service to neighbours or colleagues may
“I found that my friends vulnerable volunteers and others want to help but are unsure
couldn’t relate to my situation and shielding during quarantine how to initiate the conversation
I began to feel very isolated,“ she (pictured below).
says. “I became aware that people The befriending service • Accept help – friends and
treated me differently because - which sees trained volunteers relatives may make difficult mo-
they didn’t know what to say to paired up with people living at ments easier. For some people,
me, or worse, they avoided me be- home with life-shortneing illnesses religious leaders and other
cause they were afraid of upsetting - is also being carried out remotely. members of their faith commu-
me.“ nity can be a great comfort
It was her dad’s fifth anni-
versary when Helen remembered • Be kind to yourself – some
the hospice offering her bereave- days will be more painful than
It may surprise you to discover that ment support if she ever needed it, others but you will find your
St Catherine’s offers emotional, and she contacted the charity for own way of coping, difficult
bereavement and carer support to advice. though it may seem. It might
our whole community - including “Just before lockdown I be beneficial to avoid making
those who don’t have a connection was assessed by the team - even any decisions until you feel you
to the hospice. though everyone says that time is have adapted to your loss
We host monthly groups for a great healer, I was feeling worse
people who are grieving to chat as more time went on, but I rea- • Get plenty of rest – you will
with our Support Team and others lised it was ok to feel like this. have more energy to face pro-
going through a similar expe- “After my initial assessment blems and join in activities
rience. Likewise, carers are welco- I agreed to attend the counselling
me to attend monthly meetings to sessions, but then lockdown hit. I • Stay healthy – eat a variety
share advice and tips, or simply to was so upset as I had finally pluc- of healthy foods and try to get
enjoy some ‘me time’ with fellow ked up the courage to talk about some physical activity
carers. how I felt. But St Catherine’s were
Throughout the pandemic, amazing. They said that I could Our monthly bereavement and
our dedicated Support Team has have virtual sessions with video carers’ sessions are now being
embraced technology and reached or telephone calling. I opted for held virtually via Microsoft
even more people through virtual telephone, which probably was Teams, and anyone is welcome
means, helping those who have much better for me in the end as I to attend. Email supportteam@
been isolated both practically and felt I could open up more over the stcatherines.co.uk or call 01772
emotionally. phone rather than face-to-face. 629171 for more information.
Not just a run of The Mill café
As a member of the Central Afternoon Tea and cakes, and
Lancashire community, you opening late some evenings for
may have come across or heard themed cuisine nights. There’s
about a very special café and even a popular outside catering
community hub in Lostock Hall service called The Mill Outside,
called The Mill. also operated by St Catherine’s.
The idea to open up the The grant-funded café
hospice grounds to the general has been so successful, we
public and to create a welcom- extended it last year and we’ve
ing café for all stemmed from just opened The Mill Gift Shop
a vision of making St Cath- café are ploughed back into the those who are unaware or anxious next door.
erine’s a place for everyone; hospice, and many family-friend- about the hospice environment, The Mill is open 9am
somewhere for people to come ly events have been held in the and the project is now national- until 4pm every day. Visit www.
together for special occasions, grounds of St Catherine’s Park over ly-acclaimed and award-winning. themillatstcatherinespark.co.uk
to remember loved ones, and the years. The café is well known for or call 01772 695277 to book a
to fundraise for the charity. The Mill also helps to make its delicious food and friendly ser- table, and follow @TheMillPre
Proceeds from the St Catherine’s more familiar to vice – serving up breakfast, lunch, on social media.
