Counselling

Covid-19 advice 

Dealing with grief during this time of self-isolation can add even more stress to an already difficult time. Now more than ever it is vital that we develop creative ways to stay in contact with others, to find activities that we are able to engage in, which are appropriate for your own individual circumstance.

We have put together some ideas that may help you:

Keep in touch digitally

• Contact and connect with friends and family members that you would normally see – there are many great apps that allow you to do this, you can even do this via video call with many of these apps allowing group calls and video calls
• Reconnect and contact people that you have not been in touch with for a while
• Arrange specific times with family and/or friends when you can sit down with a hot drink and have a chat on the phone or via video chat
• Join a peer support community, Mind runs an online peer support community called  Elefriends,  where you can share your experiences and hear from others

Exercise 

Getting in some daily physical activity doesn’t have to be strenuous and it can be fun, just remember to adapt the activity to your own ability.

• Daily chores – don’t forget, housework such as vacuuming is a great form of exercise and keeps you moving
• Going up and down the stairs
• Seated exercises – you can find some great seated exercises online
• Online exercise workouts that you can follow – many people have developed free online workouts for people to use during lockdown, such as the daily Joe Wickes PE sessions
• Sitting less – if you notice you've been sitting down for an hour, just getting up or changing position can help
• Go for a quick walk or run if you’re able to
• Get out in the garden – gardening is an excellent form of exercise, just remember to only do what your ability allows

Connecting with nature 

Find ways in which you can bring nature into your daily life. This has a positive effect on both mental and physical wellbeing.

• Sit close to a window so you can enjoy a view of the sky, trees or watch birds
• Open the windows so you can have fresh air
• Try and get as much natural light as possible
• If you have a garden and it is ok to go out, spend some time there and notice the blossom and different plants that are all coming out for spring

Don't ignore your anxiety

It is important that you acknowledge your anxiety and not ignore it

It is very normal to feel scared at this time

Manage media intake as constant information can heighten worry

It can help you, to express your anxiety in a way that you can control it

Try these tips to help ease your anxiety

• Keeping a journal is very helpful
• Write down your worries and anxieties
• Once you’ve written it down, let it go.

Anxiety links our brain and body; therefore, it is important that you also look after your physical health.
 

If you are caring for someone 

If you’re caring for someone and need some support, or to check their symptoms you can use the below tools:

•  NHS symptom checker - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms-and-what-to-do/
• If they are experiencing symptoms and are unsure whether to call 111, you can use their online questionnaire which gives tailored advice on what you should do - https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/
• If they are  in the extremely vulnerable group and need help you can call the Government helpline on 0800 028 8327 or complete the online form at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable
•  Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK group are a group set up to support those in the community who are unable to leave home to get essentials that they need or that need some extra support
• Create an Emergency Plan, including the below details:

details of the name, address and contact details of the person you look after

who you and the person you look after would like to be contacted in an emergency – this might include friends, family or professionals

details of any medication the person you look after is taking and where it is stored

details of any ongoing treatment they need

noting details of any allergies

details of their GP and pharmacy

any ongoing treatment they need

any care and support services they receive

any continence products needed and who supplies them

any mobility challenges and mobility aids such as a wheelchair or hoist

Useful contacts

Age UK runs an advice line (0800 678 1602 lines are open every day 8 am- 7pm)

Alzheimer’s Society Helpline on 0300 222 11 22

Samaritans116 123
samaritans.org

The Shakespeare Hospice Adult Counselling Service

Counselling is a professional relationship between a counsellor and a client, and provides you with a space to talk about your situation and your experiences.

Counselling support allows people to navigate their way through the maze of emotional turmoil that is experienced through a serious illness or following the death of someone close.  It is also a way of enabling choice or change.  It doesn't involve giving advice or directing a client to take a particular course of action.

Our counselling service is available to patients, carers or family members who are affected by a life limiting condition and individuals who are bereaved within the last 2 1/2 years following the death of a family member who had a life-limiting condition.

What services are available?

• One to one councellling - providing support for each individual
• Family counselling - providing support for a family or couples

Who Can Make a Referral

• You can refer yourself
• Your GP or other health care professional

What happens in the first session?

In the first session there is an assessment of your situation to explore if counselling is appropriate for you.  Once you have had an assessment you will be allocated a counsellor.  Sessions will be planned on a weekly basis as far as possible.  Sessions will last for 50-60 minutes.

Confidentiality

You can be assured that nothing you talk about in our counselling sessions will be shared with anyone without your permission - the only exception to this is if we have serious cause to be concerned for your safefy of others.

What do I need to do if I can't attend one of the sesssions?

If you are unable to attend a session, please ring the Hospice as soon as possible as we have a 24-hour answerphone.  Following that, we will contact you to offer you another appointment.

Who is the Team?

Our team is made up of Counsellors and Bereavement Support Volunteers.  The counsellors are qualified and experienced practitioners who are accredited or members of the professional body, The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

The Bereavement Service Volunteers follow a comprehensive training programme, which includes learning about bereavement and the effect that loss can have on our lives.  An experienced supervisor regularly supervises their work.

Most people do not require specialist interventions when someone has died, but some do.  Some may experience mild to moderate psychological distress and in these cases, we will allocate a Bereavement Support Worker.

CONTACT
If you would like to find out more please contact our Adult Counselling Service on 01789 266852 or email enquiries@theshakespearehospice.org.uk. 

To access a referral form click here