Summer 2022 opening for new-look Drop-In Centre
HAFAN Menai - A new look Drop-in Centre for palliative care will open in Summer 2022
St David’s Hospice understands that living with a life limiting illness can have a huge impact on life and would like to shine a beacon of hope for patients, families, carers and friends, at a time when everything around them looks dark and foreboding.
The Drop-in Centre, based in the grounds of Ysbyty Gwynedd, will be a supportive service that aims to promote a sense of well-being and a positive approach to living. No referral or appointment will be necessary, the general public can just ‘dropin’ at their convenience.
Talking about the new centre, Matron Glenys Sullivan explains: “We would like people to feel free to walk into Hafan Menai to find out what support St David’s Hospice offers, free of charge, in a non-clinical environment. The building will be bright, modern, uplifting and a space to feel comfortable in. There will be no formal reception area, but an area to promote a relaxed communal atmosphere with a warm, friendly welcome. It is hoped visitors can help themselves to a refreshment and chat freely. For those who would prefer quiet, there will also be space to gather their thoughts should they choose and a Rest room with comfortable sofas, if someone feels unwell.
“The Outdoor Area will be an extension of the indoors, a quiet and tranquil space where people feel able to move around as they wish.”
The services at the new drop in centre will be flexible and will offer information and support to inspire hope. It will cater to the individual needs of the patient and their family. The person’s needs may be met on a one-off visit or they may wish to attend on multiple occasions.
Offering a wide range of trained staff to look after the patients’ physical symptoms, as well as emotional needs, the services and therapies to be offered at the new look centre will include;
Physiotherapy – helping with mobility, fitness and maintaining independence through teaching gentle exercises.
Occupational Therapy - an assessment of any equipment or home adaptions that is needed to make the patient’s and their family’s day-to-day life easier, and arrange for these to be delivered.
● Complementary Therapies – such as massage, aromatherapy and reflexology to help relaxation and ease symptoms like pain.
● Social Work - helping with a variety of practical issues, like finding out what benefits they are entitled to, liaising with government departments on the patient’s behalf, helping with paperwork.
There will also be prebookable sessions such as; nutritional advice, art therapy and craft activities, specialist palliative care advice, manual handling, Will writing support and help with financial concerns.
In addition to the sessions, there will be group support for carers and the bereaved, which will provide an opportunity to talk to other people who are in a similar situation, and share experiences.
For further information about Hafan Menai Drop in Centre please email enquiries@stdavidshospice.org.uk