Introduction to our services

Specialist Nursing Sevices

In-Patient Assessment Unit

Family Support Team

Dorothy House Stories

Information for Carers

Family Support Team

Who Are We?

The Family Support Team is made up of professional staff and volunteers who are a part of the wider team at Dorothy House. We also work closely with services in the community.

Our particular skills and knowledge lie in the area of emotional, psychological, social and spiritual care.

We work with individuals, families, couples and groups known to Dorothy House. We can explore the kind of support you might need or want from us.

Chaplaincy

Dorothy House is committed to a broad understanding of spiritual and religious care. You may have a specific spiritual or religious faith or you may have other ways of making sense of life and death. Whatever your understanding...

* we aim to listen to your experiences, feelings, thoughts and concerns;
* we will endeavour to respond to any specific religious or spiritual needs you have.

The Chaplaincy Team is available to meet anyone in the In-patient Unit, Day Care and, where appropriate, in the community.

Children & Young People

Children and young people can learn to cope with the illness and death of a parent or carer when they are given opportunities to prepare for events and helped to recognise and express their feelings.

We offer:
* individual sessions for children and young people under 18 years affected by a parent's / carer's illness or death
* individual and couple sessions for parents or carers
* family sessions
* group work
* advice, support and resources for parents, carers and professionals

Social Work

We offer advice, practical and emotional support for patients, families and carers on the In-patient Unit, in Day Care and, where appropriate, in the community.

This may include:

* planning for when patients leave the In-patient Unit
* providing support for patients who wish to continue to live at home
* offering advice and help for patients who may need a Nursing Home
* providing information on Benefits, Wills and Power of Attorney

Bereavement

The Bereavement service seeks to:

* offer emotional and psychological support as you adjust to life without the person who died;
* acknowledge the pain of grief as a natural part of the human experience.

A range of free and confidential services, including one to one support, is available to any bereaved relative or carer of a patient known to Dorothy House.

The Bereavement Service includes a team of trained and supervised Bereavement Workers, who can meet you in your home or at Dorothy House.

Administrative Support

Administrative Co-ordinators provide organisational support for the Family Support Team.

We also:

* act as the first point of contact for families and professionals seeking to access the Bereavement Service;
* co-ordinate the quarterly Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving;
* organise entries into the Book of Remembrance

Any queries about the Family Support Team, please contact us.

Contacting Us

ADMINISTRATIVE CO-ORDINATORS & BEREAVEMENT SERVICE: 01225 721479

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE SERVICE: 01225 721496

For other enquiries please phone: The MAIN SWITCHBOARD on 01225 722988 and ask for the service you require