Strathcarron's Patient and Family Support Team provide emotional and practical support, which at times may be required through challenging times. 

This team of three social workers and a bereavement co-ordinator, offer people the time, privacy and opportunity to talk through their fears and anxieties.

With this support, people often feel that they can take more control of their situation; draw on and have confidence in their own personal resilience and their ability to work towards the goals which are important to them.

We also provide practical support to patients and their families including advice about wills, power of attorneys, housing, finances and employment.

Another important element is discharge planning with the wider hospice team for patients ready to go home from the hospice or into alternative places of care.

The bereavement co-coordinator can help families and friends of those who have died under the care of the hospice if additional support is required. The bereavement team offers support groups, 1:1 early bereavement support, including a listening line and bereavement counselling. We take referrals from other hospice staff members, GPs and nurses as well as self-referrals

Our Children's Bereavement Service offers a child/young person centred approach and is open to family members of both our community patients and in-patients. We support those aged 5-17 years old who have been bereaved or have a loved one with a palliative illness and require additional support to cope with this. This service is usually one to one and takes place wherever the young person is most comfortable – at the hospice, school, home, or through video calling or telephone, where preferred.

Please also see our Bereavement Hub for further advice and helpful resources .

How to refer to the team

Our support is available for those aged 18+ who have lost a loved one under the care of the Hospice. This includes input from Hospice at Home and our community specialist nursing team. We have lots of different options available including 1:1 in person support, a support group, a listening line and bereavement counselling.

If you are a bereaved person and would like to make a self-referral for our service, please call the hospice reception on 01324 826222 and leave your name, phone number and the name of your loved one who was cared for by hospice staff. We will get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 1-2 weeks.

If you are a professional and wish to refer someone, please email Eleanor Balfour ([email protected]) including the name, address, GP surgery, phone number and a brief summary of why you think this person would benefit from additional help.

After making a referral, our first step is to complete a bereavement needs assessment which allows us to agree on which form of support suits you best.

Children’s Bereavement Referrals

As with the adult service, our support for children is open to the families of those who have received input from Strathcarron Hospice. This can be accessed any length of time after the death of your loved one. Referrals are accepted for those aged 5-17 years old and can be made via Hospice staff or by family members/other professionals directly to the Patient and Family Support Team.

If you would like to make a referral to our Children's Bereavement Service please complete this form and send it to our Family Support Social Worker Amy Cordiner via email at [email protected] or alternatively please call 01324 826 222 to speak to Amy to make a new referral or for advice or guidance.