Whether you're a patient of Phyllis Tuckwell or a relative or carer, talking to a counsellor or clinical psychologist could help make sense of any worries you may have. We have counsellors, clinical psychologists, volunteer counsellors, student counsellors and patient and family support volunteers, all of whom are here to help you and your family with any counselling support you may need.
If possible we will arrange to meet you to talk through what sort of counselling support would be most helpful to you. If you are unable to come to Headway House or the Beacon Centre, we will arrange to come and see you at home. For more information on what our counselling sessions entail, please read our Counselling leaflet or contact our Patient & Family Support team on 01252 729430 or email pafs@pth.org.uk
We offer:
Living with a long-term illness can be stressful. Illness brings many additional challenges that can be difficult to manage alongside the normal demands of everyday life. This short video explains the impact that illness can have on our stress levels and looks at simple steps we can take to help us cope.
Grief is a difficult and painful experience, and it is not uncommon for the initial very raw and overwhelming emotions to last for three to six months. If they do not lessen after this time, or if indeed they worsen, then bereavement counselling may help.
We offer an initial set of six counselling sessions to the bereaved relatives of our patients, with a trained member of our team. These sessions offer a safe and confidential space, free from judgement and criticism, where individuals will be listened to and supported in a caring and empathetic environment.
First Steps
Offered to those in the first stages of bereavement, this small group is organised, facilitated and supported by experienced counsellors. It helps individuals to understand the emotions that they may be experiencing following the death of a loved one, and identify what may help them. Six sessions are offered.
Second Steps
This group is aimed at those who are further along in their grief journey, as well as for those who have attended 'First Steps' but still feel that they need a little more help. It runs over four sessions.
Little Rays
Our Little Rays group is a 6-week after school group on a Tuesday. It is aimed at primary school aged children who have been affected by the death of a loved one. Run by a group of counsellors and volunteers, all of whom have experience of working with children, the sessions provide a supportive environment for the children to explore their thoughts and feelings of loss through craft, play and storytelling. The children are taught a range of emotional skills of 'tools' to help them manage and cope with their loss, and once they have learnt these skills they can use them in daily life. Children are encouraged to attend as many sessions as they find beneficial.
The Listening Lounge
The Listening Lounge offers informal sessions where bereaved people whose loved one was cared for by Phyllis Tuckwell, can come to talk to others about their loved one. All are welcome, regardless of how recently or long ago their loved one died. The sessions provide a compassionate environment where people can find solace in the company of others who truly understand how they are feeling. Talking to others who have also experienced bereavement can help people feel that they’re not alone. Sessions will be held at the Beacon Centre in Guildford, from 1.30pm to 3pm on the second Monday of every month, starting on Monday 12th August. To find out more, email pafs@pth.org.uk or call 01252 729430.
Six months after a loved one has died, bereaved relatives will be invited to join us virtually for this short service of remembrance. A Phyllis Tuckwell chaplain will read out the names of those who have died and individuals have an opportunity to light a candle in remembrance.
Every year, just before Christmas, we hold our Light up a Life service, to remember those who have died and celebrate their lives. This poignant service takes place in the Guildford Cathedral grounds, where friends, relatives and staff congregate around a large Christmas tree, whose lights represent the lives of those who have died.
More information on Light up a Life
For some relatives it can be a comfort to have a connection with Phyllis Tuckwell as part of their grieving process. There is a Remembrance Book at Headway House in which relatives or friends can request the name of their loved one to be written, and they can make an appointment to view it.
Our beautiful metal tree sculpture stands in a quiet area of our Beacon Centre gardens. Along its branches curly 300 thin hooks, from which delicate leaves can be hung, each dedicated by family or friends to the memory of a loved one. For a donation of £100 or more, families and friends can have a leaf engraved with the name of their loved one. The leaf will then be displayed on the Tree for twelve months, after which it will be placed in a presentation box and given to the person who bought it. Each month, a small ceremony will be held to place all newly-named leaves on the tree.
Dedicate a leaf in memory of a loved one
Tribute Funds are a unique and positive way to remember a loved one. The Fund will carry their name and stand as a lasting memorial to their life, whilst the money in it will go towards helping us to support and care for more patients and families living with an advanced or terminal illness. The Tribute Fund can remain open for contributions for as long as the family wants.
Create your Tribute Fund
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 £25,000 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.
