The support Birmingham Hospice provides does not stop when our care for a patient comes to an end; we are also there for their loved ones as they navigate their journey through grief.
Emma first came into contact with Birmingham Hospice when we cared for her brother Richard at the end of his life, and that support continued when his family were offered counselling and support after his death.
Her son Ben, aged nine, was finding it difficult to come to terms with the loss of his uncle, and he benefited from a number of sessions with Samantha Kelly from our CHATS (Children’s Healing and Therapeutic Support) Team.
Emma said: “My son was very close to my brother and he was struggling to deal with his grief. My mom was seeing one of the counsellors at the hospice, who suggested that perhaps Ben needed some help as well.
“He really enjoyed the sessions, found them helpful, and it certainly also helped me to support a child going through so many feelings. It gave me comfort that my son was able to talk to someone about things he found difficult to go through with me.”
After Emma joined him for the first session, Ben went to subsequent meetings alone and quickly grew in confidence, as he talked through his feelings and took part in activities which helped him to explore and express his feelings.
“Ben was very apprehensive before he went, but after the second session, he almost skipped into the room with Sam, and it was very comforting to know he was feeling secure in that environment and able to talk,” Emma explained.
“There were also different activities such as putting together a memory box, and he came home with drawings that he’d done. Each session was an hour, which is a long time for a nine-year-old, but it obviously worked.
“I can see difference in him now – he’s still got things he needs to work through in terms of accepting what happened to his uncle, but I’m learning and navigating with him too and we’re getting through it together.”
While the initial run of sessions has come to an end, the hospice’s door remains open to the family if they do need more support. Emma also said the family would remain supporters of the hospice, and planned to take part in events in Richard’s memory in future.
She added: “We were very thankful for the team for how they supported my brother at the time, and that continues after losing your loved one; they don’t just close the door. Sam has said that if anything happens and we need to reach out, please do, and that means a lot.”
