Here to help you and your loved ones

What is Spiritual & Pastoral Care?

At Springhill Hospice we care about the physical aspect of a person’s illness and its impact on their wider wellbeing. This is why we offer psychological and spiritual care for patients and their loved ones.  

If you or your loved one are affected by a life-limiting illness you may find yourself asking questions like: 

  • Why is this happening to me? 
  • What does it mean for my life? 
  • Why do things no longer make sense? 

How does Spiritual & Pastoral Care work?

Our Spiritual and Pastoral Care Coordinator, Michele Ryan, works alongside our Spiritual Care Volunteers. They are available to talk about changes in beliefs, loss of hope or practical and relational problems.  

We have a small Prayer and Reflection Room and a Quiet Room which are quiet spaces where patients and loved ones can relax, reflex and enjoy some peace. These rooms can be found in the reception area of the Hospice. 

Do I have to be religious?

Not at all. Spiritual Care does not have to be for the religious, it can just offer space for reflection or finding hope. We can provide support for any faith or belief and those of no fixed faith. 

I do have faith. Do you support different beliefs?

  • We offer religious care to those of any faith 
  • Religious services can be arranged in our Prayer and Reflection Room or at a patient’s bedside  
  • Michele can offer prayer and/or Holy Communion to anyone who would appreciate them 
  • For people of other faith traditions, your own faith leaders are very welcome to visit 
  • If you are not connected to a particular faith community but would like to receive some religious care from someone within your tradition, we can facilitate this too 

What other help can you offer?

The Prayer and Reflection Room is also the home of our Memorial Beach. Here you are invited to dedicate a pebble to your loved one before adding it to the beach. Periodically the beach is cleared to allow a new beach to form. These then move on to our Memorial Cairn in the small orchard at the back of the Springhill Suite.

We also offer bi-monthly Remembrance Services and Winter Light up a Life Celebrations. These events give opportunity to remember loved ones and celebrate their lives and include the symbolic lighting of a candle in their memory.