Our family support team comprises of three separate fields of expertise, these are family based social work, spiritual care and bereavement counselling.
Social Work
Social work within the team is headed by Judith Benson who has worked in the area of family social work for many years prior to joining the team at Butterwick.
Judith's area of work is very much involved in helping families to navigate their way through the various areas of help available to them through social care.
Assistance can range from practical solutions to problems to financial help and benefit advice. The role of our social worker enables her to liaise with the necessary agencies to put things in place that will help a family to cope more easily with their caring responsibilities.
Counselling and Bereavement Care
This area of care is delivered by our Child and Adult Counsellor along with a group of Family Support Workers who are all skilled, trained volunteers.
The idea of losing a much loved child to an incurable illness is intolerable at best. Having the support of a skilled and experienced counsellor to help the family prepare for the anticipated loss of a loved one can be invaluable.
A great deal of comfort can be got from accessing bereavement care both to the patient and to parents, siblings and grand parents. We offer an opportunity to express pain, sadness and sorrow with an empathic listener in a safe environment.
Each family receiving care from Butterwick House can access a trained family support worker when they feel they need to.
Spiritual Care
The Chaplaincy within Butterwick Hospice Care provides a nondenominational support service which exists to help those who are either patients or carers - whether that is family, friends, staff or volunteers.
The Chaplain is part of the Family Support Team and seeks to provide pastoral and spiritual support for those who request it. As part of the Family Support Team the Chaplain's primary role is to provide non-medical care and support. The Chaplaincy is for everybody, not just those who have a particular faith.
We do this through personal contact and the provision of opportunities for people to explore their questions and issues regarding spirituality and life. We seek to provide care, support, direction and guidance to all who ask for it.
The Family Support Team communicate with patients and families about their spiritual needs and make sure opportunity is given to meet the Chaplain if they wish.
