Holistic care

SUE Ryder provides holistic care which encompasses both the patient and their families.

A team of volunteers support Jane, providing a helping hand to families at a very distressing time of their life. Bereavement volunteers often just listen to people who have lost a loved one to reassure them that what they are feeling is normal and it’s part of the journey of grief, and to recognise that grief is a normal part of loss.

Rob Lankfer lost his wife Tess to cancer in 2010, but Rob and his three children Emily, William and George have benefited greatly from the hospice’s bereavement service.

Rob said: “I first met Jane with Tess in July 2010. These first meetings were to help Tess and I through the immediate period prior to her death and to reassure us that the children and I would be supported after Tess died.

“The children were becoming familiar with Jane as they met her informally around Thorpe Hall hospice while they were visiting their mum.

“Tess died in September 2010 and Jane initially arranged a visit to our house to meet with the children, Tess’s mum and myself.

“These meetings have been invaluable in that the children who now knew and trusted Jane opened up with all their fears and issues which we could discuss.

“These meetings have continued to the present day at a frequency determined by myself and the children.

“Normally we keep to a pre-booked appointment, but sometimes I will arrange an earlier time if anyone is struggling. These sessions have been invaluable in the healing process and contain a group session and individual sessions if these are required.

“The children have also attended Charlie Chimps club were they have met others in the same situation.

“These evenings have also been very beneficial in that experiences can be shared and coping mechanisms developed.

“Tess’s mum and I have also benefited from individual counselling sessions with Jane’s team for as long as we required.

“The support that we have all received from Jane and her team has been tremendous and has helped us all to continue with our now changed lives”.