Throughout the year, the hospice's Supportive Care team organises various support groups, events, activities and information sessions that help people through these difficult times. These are aimed at patients, family members and often both together. There is practical help and emotional support, as well as more informal sessions which allow people to enjoy each other's company, giving a sense of belonging and helping them to feel that they are not alone. Many of our sessions have been offered in response to specific requests, so we can be flexible in how we support you.

By providing a wide range of different sessions, each person can select what is most likely to meet their individual needs. These sessions have included:

Patients Group - A facilitated group session where patients can come together to share experiences, feelings and concerns.

Mindfulness - Mindfulness is about learning to pay affectionate and wise attention to everything in the present moment. Studies show that it can help with stress, anxiety and even pain relief. We offer a fortnightly session where attendees are guided through mindfulness and meditation practices. The session is open to anyone connected to the hospice. 

Gentle exercise - Enjoying a sense of wellbeing through gentle exercise such as yoga or Pilates.

Supporting young people - Talking about how best to support young people in the family, and what to say to them at this time.

Gatherings and events - We regularly arrange opportunities for patients and their families to attend an event, a time for you to get to know us and each other and introduce members of your family to the hospice. Previous examples of this have been a barbecue, a picnic, a Mad Hatter's tea party and an Easter Egg Roll, to name just a few.

Introductory visit - We know it can be hard to attend the hospice for the first time, so Supportive Care like to invite you, and those close to you, to come to an Introductory session, where we can tell you about some of the support we offer and can show you around the therapy rooms, art rooms and other spaces. Stay for lunch and get to know other members of the hospice community and let us know what groups or therapies you would like to take part in.

How to be referred

If you are already a hospice patient, and would like to know more about group support, please speak to one of the people involved in your care about what is available, or call the Supportive Care team on 01271 347225. Otherwise, to access this or any of North Devon Hospice's care and support, please ask your GP to make a referral to North Devon Hospice.   

Group sessions are held at North Devon Hospice's main site in Barnstaple and at The Long House, our outreach centre in Holsworthy. 

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