Family Support Team Spotlight by Katie Thorpe, Social worker.

We hear from people every day about the difference it makes to them to have support from our team so that they can have a safe space to talk openly about what is happening, how they feel and to feel understood, reassured and that their experiences are being acknowledged. Sometimes people have practical concerns and really value a bit of extra support in making phone calls, completing paperwork, or sourcing other avenues of support. We can quite often be that person to ask about something when you just aren’t sure who else to ask!

It is incredibly difficult to measure the impact our support has, as most of the time we cannot make a situation any better and are just alongside people, but the impact of being able to do that is immeasurable.
 
What I love about the team:
We are very passionate about the support we can offer to people and therefore work very hard and support one another on every level to uphold our team’s reputation keep this going.
 
What makes me proud:
When I can see that I have been able to make even just a small difference to someone at some of the most difficult times in their life. I feel very honoured and privileged to be in this position and have met some of the most inspirational and amazing people!
 
How do you put emotion aside:
You don’t. But you find your own ways of managing it and practising good self care. It can actually be extremely life affirming to do work like this. We support each other very well as a team and are well supported by the hospice as a whole.
 
I can’t pinpoint any particular special moments as there are lots and for me it is just the collective feeling of having made a difference that is very special. I find it so rewarding to be able to  support people with little extras such as accessing money from our special fund to enable them to make special memories with family or purchase an essential item for everyday living to make life easier. Also being able to offer short breaks at the Dovecote caravan and Dunedin lodge, and also being able to work alongside wonderful colleagues such as the complementary therapists to offer patients, carers and bereaved family members a referral to them.
 
I would want others to know that our team do a lot of work out in the community, not just within the hospice and support people over the phone, at home, at school etc. We also support other professionals around the community with consultancy on loss and bereavement and also get involved in education events that take place in and externally to the hospice.