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Pre and Post Bereavement Support
If a family member, friend or someone your care for is told they have a life limiting illness we recognise that this can impact on you as well as the person who has the diagnosis. The grief process can start before the actual death of a person.
Very often people feel they can only access support after the person has died and this is not true. Support is available to you straight away, it’s important for you to know that you are not alone.
We hope that the following information will help you to know what support you can access both before and after death, locally and nationally.
Local services:
Within the county of Worcestershire we have three hospices all of which provide support to families and carers. If your family member or friend is based outside of Worcestershire, you can still access this support as long as you have a Worcestershire GP.
St Richards Hospice, Worcestershire
Is available if you are located in the South of Worcestershire; Droitwich, Malvern, Worcester City, Pershore, Evesham, Tenbury and Upton
Support services for families and carers - St Richard's Hospice (strichards.org.uk)
Primrose Hospice, Worcestershire
Is available if you are in the North East of Worcestershire; Redditch, Bromsgrove and Wythall
Adult Family Support - Primrose Hospice | Family Support Service
Kemp Hospice, Worcestershire
Is available if you’re in the North West of Worcestershire; Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley
KEMP Hospice: The Wyre Forest Hospice
St Michaels Hospice, Herefordshire
Within Herefordshire St Michaels Hospice give bereavement and grief support. From walk and talking to singing groups.
St Michaels Hospice - Community Bereavement Support
You do not need a professional referral to access these services, the webpages all tell you how you can access their services. Your GP is also there to support you and it’s important if you are struggling to contact them and see what support they can offer you, looking after your own physical and mental health during this time is important for both you and your relative or the person you provide care to.
What to do after a death — local support.
Below are some guides produced by the NHS in Herefordshire and Worcestershire following a death.
What_to_do_after_a_death_-_Worcestershire_V3.pdf [pdf] 1MB
What_to_do_after_a_death_-_Herefordshire_V3.pdf [pdf] 2MB
National services:
There are number of national charities that may also be able to help you, some you may have heard of, and others may be new to you. We have listed some below with links to their webpages.
You may also want to look for specific disease website as they also have lots of information and many offer advice on support.