Counselling Support
Whether you’re living with an incurable illness, supporting someone close to you, or grieving after a loss — please remember, you’re not alone.
Our compassionate Family Support Team provides a range of wellbeing support services to help you navigate difficult emotions and find comfort when you need it most. We offer:
- One-to-one counselling sessions with trained professionals
- Bereavement support for anyone experiencing loss
- A welcoming bereavement group, where you can connect with others who understand
- Access to practical wellbeing resources to support your emotional and mental health
For more information see our Support for Families and Carers page
Our team is available Monday to Friday, 8 am – 6 pm, offering a safe, confidential space to talk, listen, and heal.
We’re able offer counselling support to anybody over the age of 18 living in the Staffordshire area. Anyone can self-refer by contacting our project pathway team at the hospice and the referral process will be done over the phone.
For information on any of our services, please call our 24/7 advice line.
Contemplation Trail at Shugborough
Step into nature and take a quiet moment for yourself on our peaceful Contemplation Trail at the beautiful Shugborough Estate. This gentle, signposted walk offers space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your thoughts in a calm and natural setting.
Whether you’re remembering a loved one, practising mindfulness, or simply enjoying the stillness of the outdoors, the trail is here to bring comfort and connection when you need it most.
Relaxation Sessions
Take a moment to unwind and focus on your wellbeing with our Relaxation Sessions, created by our Complementary Therapy and Outpatients teams.
We’ve put together a selection of online resources, including guided relaxation and gentle movement videos, designed for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. These sessions can help ease tension, calm the mind, and restore a sense of balance.
When you’re ready, explore more about how we support relaxation and self-care through our therapy services:
Complementary Therapy
Therapy and Wellbeing
Then, take a look at the follow-along videos and audio-guided relaxation sessions below — and relax with us.
Follow-along videos
Progressive muscle relaxation
Alternate nostril breath
Lengthening the outbreath
Audio-guided relaxation
Mindfulness
Breathing
Meditation
Visualisation
Body Scan
Nutrition Information
Palliative illness, cancer, and some cancer treatments can sometimes affect your appetite, digestion, or enjoyment of food. It’s completely normal for your eating habits to change when you’re feeling unwell — but it’s still important to try to eat regularly and stay hydrated.
Good nutrition can help maintain your strength, energy levels, and overall wellbeing during treatment or illness.
For practical tips and gentle guidance, explore our nutrition guide.
Welfare (Financial) Support
Financial worries can be an added burden when you or someone you love is living with an incurable illness. Concerns about income, day-to-day expenses, or understanding what help is available can all feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to face them alone.
Our Welfare Support Service is here for patients, their families, friends, and carers, offering free, confidential advice to help make things a little easier.
We can support you with:
- Understanding and claiming government benefits you may be entitled to
- Guidance on managing income and daily costs
- Support with completing the necessary applications and paperwork
- Information on other local and national sources of financial help
This support is also available to family members, friends, and carers who may need advice on what financial help they can access — or what they may be able to claim — while caring for a loved one.
To speak to someone about financial advice, contact our Patient Pathway Team.
Preventing Falls
When living with an incurable illness or receiving palliative care, it’s common to feel a little unsteady or notice changes in your balance or strength. While most falls don’t cause serious harm, they can affect your confidence and independence.
Taking small steps to stay safe — like keeping walkways clear, using mobility aids, or asking for help when needed — can make a big difference.
Our Preventing Falls Guide offers simple, practical advice to help you reduce your risk of falling and feel more secure at home and in your daily routine.
Staying Mentally Strong
Looking after your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical wellbeing. Taking time for yourself, reaching out for support, and finding small ways to stay positive can make a big difference — both for you and for those you love.
Please visit the links below for some helpful tips around our wellbeing
There is also important information on the NHS to make healthy choices around your health and wellbeing.
Live Well – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Get Helpful Tips with a Quiz
Answer five simple questions and receive personalised tips to improve your wellbeing — including advice on sleep, healthy eating, managing worries, and more.
Take the quiz
How to Deal with Uncertainty
Explore expert guidance on coping with anxiety, managing worries, and adapting to change — with practical tips for home working, sleep, and mindfulness.
Useful Links & Trusted Resources
If you’d like to explore more ways to look after your mental and emotional wellbeing, the following trusted organisations offer expert guidance, practical advice, and free online support.
MIND, the mental health charity
MIND is a UK mental health charity that provides advice, information, and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They also campaign to improve mental health services, raise awareness, and promote understanding across communities.
Every Mind Matters
Every Mind Matters is an NHS resource offering practical tips, tools, and personalised plans to help people manage stress, improve sleep, and boost their overall mental wellbeing. It empowers individuals to take simple steps toward feeling better and maintaining good mental health every day.
The Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation is a UK charity focused on preventing mental health problems through research, education, and public awareness. Their resources offer practical guidance on maintaining emotional wellbeing, particularly during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus?bblinkid=213337963&bbemailid=203…
Local support groups
Connecting with others who understand can make a big difference. These local groups and organisations offer free or low-cost support, advice, and friendly spaces to talk.
Mind North Staffordshire
Mind North Staffordshire – counselling, parent support and advice.
Contact details:
Telephone: 01782 262100
Email: reception@nsmind.org.uk
Changes
Changes – online recovery, wellbeing and peer support.
Contact details:
Telephone: 0798 343 7747
Email: wellbeing.here4u@changes.org.uk
Andy’s Man Club
Andy’s Man Club – Talking group for men only, which offers support and reduce isolation – Andys Man Club Stafford – Home | Facebook
Staffordshire Connects
Befriending services at Staffordshire Connects.