Family Support Team & Bereavement Service
The Family Support Team at Salisbury Hospice provides specialist emotional, practical, and spiritual care for patients, their families, and those closest to them.
Our compassionate team works to ensure that everyone affected by a life-limiting illness receives the understanding and support they need during a difficult time.
From the point of palliative care referral through to bereavement, our experienced senior social workers and trained volunteers offer personalised and sensitive support to meet the unique needs of each individual.
This care is available across all our settings, including inpatient, hospital, and community services, ensuring continuity and consistency of support for all who need it.
Who we support
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Patients receiving palliative or end of life care
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Family members, including children and young people
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Friends or carers involved in the care journey
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Anyone affected by the death of someone under our care
Support is offered in the hospice, at home, in schools, or via telephone-whatever works best for the family’s needs.
What we provide
Our qualified social workers are trained to work with families facing the emotional complexities of terminal illness. They provide:
Bereavement Support Service
Our Bereavement Service is available to families, friends, and carers of those who received care from Salisbury Hospice, you can self-refer for bereavement support.
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Follow-up wellbeing phone calls usually offered six to eight weeks after a death, providing support, reassurance, and guidance for families.
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One-to-one bereavement support available at home, in the hospice, or by phone, offering emotional care and practical guidance.
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Bereavement Support Groups held three to four times a year, providing shared experiences, emotional support, and guidance for those grieving.
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Children’s bereavement support provided one-to-one at school, home, or hospice, with advice for parents and carers to help children cope.
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Children’s Bereavement Day held once a year, offering activities, guidance, and support to help children process grief in a safe environment.
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Support with referral or signposting to local services is available for people living outside the Salisbury Hospice catchment area.
Thoughtful gestures of ongoing care
The children and I would like to express our gratitude and support for the work the hospice does with the enclosed cheque. Thank you very much for your kindness at such a difficult time including the touch of the yellow rose.
Our team and training
The Family Support Team includes qualified social workers, registered with Social Work England and members of the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers, and Bereavement Support Volunteers with specialist training.
The team is supported by a dedicated administrator who manages data, referrals, and coordination.
Social workers receive ongoing supervision and specialist training, while volunteers complete a training programme and have regular supervision to support their bereavement work.
How to access support
Support from the Family Support Team is available to individuals already known to Salisbury Hospice. Referrals are made by healthcare professionals or, in the case of bereavement services, can be self-referred by family or friends at any time.
If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, please contact your hospice care team or the Family Support Team directly for more information.
The Family Support Team works weekdays, 9am to 5pm.
Your support is our future
Last year, thanks to your incredible support, Salisbury Hospice was able to deliver patient-centred palliative care to more than 1,200 patients.
