For those who are bereaved, Phyllis Tuckwell's Listening Lounge offers a warm welcome and a listening ear.
Caption: Phyllis Tuckwell’s Listening Lounge offers a welcoming, informal place to meet others who are also bereaved.
"When a loved one dies, talking to others who have also experienced bereavement can help people feel that they’re not alone," said Caroline Baker, senior patient & family advisor at Phyllis Tuckwell, a local hospice care charity. Caroline is one of the team who helped set up the Listening Lounge, a monthly informal bereavement support group for anyone whose loved one died from a terminal illness, regardless of how recently or long ago that was.
The Listening Lounge does not offer formal counselling, but rather is a place where bereaved people can come to talk about their loved one and find solace in the company of others who truly understand how they are feeling, because they themselves are in a similar situation. Initially held solely at the Beacon Centre in Guildford on the second Monday of every month, these sessions are now offered at your new Hospice in Farnham too, on the fourth Monday of the month. They take place at each location from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
At the sessions, people can share their experiences, memories and challenges related to their loss, and Phyllis Tuckwell’s patient and family advisors can provide support and guidance, and signpost people to other services outside of the group that may help further. Part of each session is dedicated to a specific topic, on a rolling programme. These range from practical skills to self-care, to help people build confidence as they adjust to their new circumstances.
"The loss of a loved one can feel isolating, but you're not alone," said Caroline. "These sessions are very informal, and you don't have to share anything if you would prefer not to. You are very welcome to just come along to enjoy a cup of tea with the others there.”
The next Listening Lounge sessions will take place on Monday 14th September at the Beacon Centre in Guildford, and Monday 28th September at the Hospice in Farnham. If you are interested in coming along, or would like to find out more, please email pafs@pth.org.uk or call 01252 729440.
All our services are free, but this is only possible due to the generosity of our amazing community. The Government/NHS only provide 25% of our costs, so we need to raise over £30,000 every day to provide our vital services.
Please donate what you can to help keep hospice care available to all those in our community who need us.
