St Ann’s staff member discusses the importance of the hospice’s Forget-me-not appeal
Rehab Assistant Practitioner, Rachel Bridge says supporting families is “a crucial part of our role day to day”
The St Ann’s Hospice Forget-me-not services held each summer provide an opportunity for both families and patients to come together and reflect.
Rehab Assistant Practitioner at St Ann’s Hospice in Little Hulton, Rachel Bridge attended one of the Forget Me Not services last year.
Losing a loved one is a significant event in someone’s life. I know what it feels like losing a loved one. Every family requires individualised support, and I feel that the Forget-me-not services are one of the ways in which we here at St Ann’s can support these families Rachel Bridge, Rehab Assistant Practitioner, St Ann’s Hospice
Rachel says as a staff member at St Ann’s Hospice, supporting families is “a crucial part of our role day to day”.
“It’s about building relationships with patients and their families, and the families knowing that if they need anything, they can just ask with ease
“It’s about consistency and being able to be there for families and gauging what kind of support they need. It could be offering someone a cup of tea and a chat or offering time to talk about their loved ones or how they are feeling.
It’s important that people know that it’s okay not to be okay and that there are areas within St Ann’s where they can have some privacy and time away from their loved ones Rachel Bridge, Rehab Assistant Practitioner, St Ann’s Hospice
According to Rachel, the Forget-me-not services are needed to allow families to reconnect with St Ann’s following the passing of a loved one.
“These services are often part of the grieving process for families. Having gone through that grieving process myself, it was important to be able to have a place to reflect. I still go to a remembrance service every year, and it’s a time to remember and reconnect with those who looked after my mum.
When I attended the Forget-me-not service at St Ann’s last year, I spoke to quite a few families that I had contact with on the Inpatient Unit. I could see how important the event was to them. It was lovely to see them and chat about where they are on their grieving journey Rachel Bridge, Rehab Assistant Practitioner, St Ann’s Hospice
St Ann’s Hospice has launched its Forget-me-not appeal where individuals can dedicate a forget-me-not to a loved one in the Memory Meadow via the St Ann’s website.
The two St Ann’s Hospice Forget Me Not services will take place at the Heald Green and Little Hulton hospices on Saturday, June 14. The first will take place at Little Hulton at 10am with the Heald Green service commencing at 2pm.
To learn more about the appeal or to dedicate a flower in memory of a loved one in our online Memory Meadow, click here.