A brand-new programme is launching in Bedfordshire next month offering specialist support to carers supporting someone nearing the end-of-life.
Delivered in partnership by Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, Carers in Bedfordshire and East London NHS Foundation Trust the six-week programme offers tailored advice and support to anyone who is caring for someone with a terminal diagnosis living across the Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire Councils area.
Hayley Gale works on the Family Support Team at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice. She said, “Caring can be hard at the best of times, but when the needs of the person you are caring for has a life-limiting illness with more complex needs, everything can feel overwhelming.
“We want people to know that you don’t have to do this on your own, and that there is support available here in Bedfordshire to help at this difficult time.”
“This brand-new specialist programme has been especially designed to give carers of someone nearing the end-of-life the support and tools they need, from advice on selfcare through to practical information on what to expect at the end of life, managing worries, coping with change and loss, legal matters and future planning.”
Created by professionals from Carers in Bedfordshire, Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice and East London NHS Foundation Trust’s Macmillan Cancer and Palliative Psychology Service, the free of charge programme is available for any unpaid carers who look after a family member or friend who has a life-limiting illness.
Matt Hopton is a Macmillan Specialist Psychotherapist at East London NHS Foundation Trust and will be helping to deliver the programme. He said, “The course will have a large focus on self-care and psychological and emotional wellbeing. As well as myself there will also be a carers wellbeing practitioner coming to talk about the importance of things like nutrition, sleep and exercise and we will finish each session with a mindful or meditative activity.”
Amanda Thaxter, Health Lead at Carers in Bedfordshire added, “There will be lots of advice and support on offer too. From a practical perspective, we will have a solicitor joining us to talk about Wills, Power of Attorney and Probate; a Welfare Rights advisor to talk about benefits and finances and Sue Ryder Nurses to talk about what to expect at the end of life and supportive environments when someone is at end of life.”
It is hoped, if successful, the pilot scheme could be offered to more carers in Bedfordshire needing support in the future.
The first session of the six-week programme kicks off on 3rd February, and people can join virtually or in person at Carers in Bedfordshire’s offices in Bedford.
Spaces are available for booking now. For more information email amanda.thaxter@carersinbeds.org or call 07772 231230.
Attendees must live in or be registered with a G.P. in Central Bedfordshire or Bedford Borough.
For more information on Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice visit www.sueryder.org/stjohns
For more information on Carers in Bedfordshire visit www.carersinbeds.org.uk
For more information on East London NHS Foundation Trust visit www.elft.nhs.uk
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