The Family Support Team at Salisbury Hospice consists of four qualified social workers, administrative support, and a cohort of specially trained Bereavement Support volunteers. Together, they help patients and their families to come to terms with what a terminal diagnosis means for them, or support them through the death of a loved one.
We sat down with Sammy Reed, Senior Social Worker in the Family Support Team at Salisbury Hospice, to learn more about her role.
My days can be so varied, involving visits, telephone contact, and driving across our area. I love the variety – being out and about meeting people is one of my favourite parts of the role. Some days are busy, some are quieter, but it’s always a privilege to spend time with people at such a crucial and often traumatic point in their lives.
On Mondays, I’ll check the system for out of hours contact over the weekend. Sometimes this will need responding to, or – depending on the task – it might be allocated to one of our brilliant Bereavement Support Volunteers. I might then plan for a visit in the community. These visits often involve me spending time with young people, whose close relatives are receiving end of life care, or meeting patients in their homes, checking in on their wellbeing and helping them plan for the future.
Sessions like these are always led by the patient. I’ll write up notes afterwards, not during, so I can be fully present. I actively listen, exploring together with the patient to make sure our time together fits their needs. I enjoy working with the same people over a longer period, getting to know their particular priorities and goals.
The death of a family member can impact how a young person sees themselves, so I sometimes plan sessions exploring identity and sense of self. My work can also be about helping young people to manage when emotions feel too big. Fun activities like making hot chocolate, drawing, and going on walks, can help the sessions feel more relaxed.
I’ve worked in social work for over ten years! Some moments do stick with you, but I try to remember that it’s not my situation. Death is a part of life; I hold on to that and focus on being there for others and their emotions. I’m a positive person! In my spare time I like to read a lot, especially fantasy novels – these give me a sense of escapism and adventure.
My work has definitely made me more honest and open about death with my own children and loved ones. I think it’s so important that we all try to talk about death openly, as a reminder that we don’t have to face it alone. Knowledge is power; it can reduce the fear we experience about death and dying.
If there’s one thing I think everyone should know about the hospice, it’s that there’s laughter here. There’s a peaceful atmosphere, with people enjoying their time together. Most people have heard the phrase, ‘you only live once’ – but you only die once too. The hospice is here to help people have the death they want to have; to make it as good as it can be.
Click here to learn more about services at Salisbury Hospice.
