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Spiritual care and support is an
important aspect of the holistic
approach offered through the hospice. We
are concerned for all aspects of a
person's well-being and in times of
illness and change, many of our
questions affect our spirits. Often
illness prompts us to think about our
hopes and fears, as well as trying to
understand the changes in our lives.
Sometimes we have to wrestle with new
and unfamiliar questions and face the
challenge of questions like, 'Why me?'
 Our
full-time chaplain spends time in the
Day Hospice and In-Patient Unit, as well
as visiting people at home, and is
available for patients and their
families and friends to share
questions, hopes and concerns . Our aim
is to offer support at a time that is
often difficult and challenging for the
patient and those close to them.
We also encourage continued support
from local ministers if people belong to
a faith community and contact can be
made with clergy if this is required.
 The chapel is a quiet space for
anyone to use for reflection and prayer.
It is multi-denominational, containing
symbols and writings from various faiths
and a candle bowl is available if you
should wish to light a candle. There are
opportunities to meet together for quiet
reflection each day in the chapel and
these are open to everyone. As well as
listening and talking with you, we can
also offer Holy Communion in your room
or in the chapel, laying on of hands,
which is a service for spiritual healing
and strengthening. Sometimes a request
is made for Baptism and Confirmation, or
the blessing of a marriage and these can
be arranged.
We are happy to discuss issues of
religious belief if you wish to do so,
but we are also ready to help in a
variety of other ways, for example
making contact with people on your
behalf or discussing funeral wishes.
The hospice ethos values the
spiritual dimension of our care and,
while we are not a religious
organisation, it is important that we
try to ensure that the spiritual needs
of patients are addressed. Please speak
to someone on admission if you have
specific spiritual concerns you would
like to discuss, but above all, we hope
that your visit to the Hospice offers
gentle and compassionate care in every
aspect |