Within our Family Support Team we have a trained Social Worker who is very experienced in working with families. Her role within the Hospice is to guide families through the many forms of benefits they may be able to access and to help them plan for the future.
This is a very helpful service particularly at a time when people are feeling vulnerable and confused and not sure which way to turn for the best help and advice regarding both practical and financial issues.
The Social Worker can assist with organising special equipment for the patients home and can liaise with housing departments, social services, district nurses or the Macmillan team. Her role is to make life as uncomplicated as possible, even if that just means a little help with form filling to ensure the wording is correct.
Once a patient has come to stay in the Hospice the Social Worker will then chair planning meetings for patients before they go home to ensure all equipment is ready and the co-ordination of service provision is in place before the patient leaves us.
Another part of this role is the provision of carer support group meetings. These are particularly helpful to people feeling isolated by their caring responsibilities. Knowing you are not alone and there are others experiencing the same fears and responsibilities is a comfort in itself.
Carer groups formed at Butterwick have stayed together over a long period of time, even after some members have been bereaved, as the friendship and support members give each other builds strong bonds.
All services carried out by our Social Worker and Family Support Team are free of charge to patients and their families and are a part of the many forms of help and support provided by the Hospice to those facing the realities of a life limiting illness.
If you would like more information about Social Care within the Hospice please contact Judith Benson on 01642 607742 or email judithbenson@butterwick.org.uk
