GriefLine (01279 945089) – is here to support bereaved people across West Essex and East Herts

GriefLine (01279 945089) is a local resource offering much-needed emotional support via telephone, across West Essex and East Herts, to anyone struggling with their grief around the loss of someone.

GriefLine operates from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. It is run by a team of St Clare staff and volunteers, trained to deliver emotional support to those who are struggling with their grief. Anyone who has experienced a loss, whether recently or in the past, is welcome to call GriefLine. No previous connection to St Clare Hospice is required to access support.

If you would like to speak to someone about the loss of someone, no matter how long ago you were bereaved, the number to call is 01279 945089. GriefLine is free to call, though charges may apply in line with your standard network rate.

For more information on GriefLine, visit: griefline.co.uk

More volunteers are needed to support this expanding service. Find out more and apply for this role that makes a real difference, at stclarehospice.org.uk/volunteervacancies

Namaste Dementia Care – free, one-to-one service launches!

St Clare Hospice has launched a new, free service to support people living with advanced dementia, and their carers, across West Essex and East Hertfordshire.

Namaste Dementia Care delivers personalised, one-to-one, Namaste Care activities to people living with dementia in their own homes and in residential homes. Namaste Care offers a person-centred approach and the service involves trained volunteers supporting people with advanced dementia to engage in meaningful activities to promote an improved quality of life.

Namaste Dementia Care volunteers visit weekly, for a period of up to 10 weeks, and offer a tailored package of sessions to suit the individual. Activities used are designed to stimulate all five senses, which has been shown to really help people with dementia to connect and engage with others. Namaste Care activities can include: hand massage, music, memory boxes, poetry and gentle movement.

To access this service please contact Joanne Morrison on 07534 031702 or email namastecare@stclarehospice.org.uk

Find out more online: stclarehospice.org.uk/Namaste/

More volunteers are needed to support this new service. Find out more and apply, at stclarehospice.org.uk/volunteervacancies

Saffron Walden St Clare Community Hub

Where: Salvation Army in Saffron Walden, 5 Abbey Lane, CB10 1AG

When: first and third Thursday of every month, 10am – 3pm

The St Clare Community Hub is a twice monthly drop-in event, offering support for local people who are facing a life-limiting or terminal illness. If you, or someone you know, has received the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, you are welcome to come and visit the St Clare Community Hub.

10am – 3pm: Advice & support drop-in with the team, including social workers and counsellors

1pm-2.30pm: Drop in for tea & coffee and meet with others living with a life-limiting illness

Diagnosis of a life-limiting illness brings with it an immediate need to reorganise differing priorities; as well as lots of new potential challenges and concerns medically, emotionally and practically. All of these can create worries that are difficult to manage.

The St Clare Community Hub offers a range of holistic support, aimed to help support you with your individual needs:

  • Information on housing, finances, jobs, wills, funerals and future planning
  • Emotional support
  • Pastoral care, spiritual and chaplaincy support
  • Opportunities to find out about other local community services

Please note: The Community Hub is CLOSED during August 2022. The next session will be held on Thursday 1st September 2022.

Find out more here: stclarehospice.org.uk/communityhub or call us on 01279 773762