Adult Counselling and Bereavement Services

The Macrae Family

Will Macrae’s mother Nicky was a patient of the Hospice, using it initially for respite care, and then increasingly as she became less well. She used the family support service in a number of ways, including being helped to visit her newborn grandson shortly before her death. When Will’s father Gordon died unexpectedly two years later, he and his family felt supported through their link with the Hospice and Will used counselling offered by the bereavement support team.

'Being a man, I was initially reluctant but I got over this thanks to their friendliness and professionalism. Counselling gave me the opportunity to talk freely and openly about my thoughts and emotions. I had been unable to deal with how I felt, or to help others in my family. Now I find myself able to support others through what I learned in counselling about myself and my own grief and how it is so connected to other losses and things that have happened to me in my life.’

Picture courtesy of SPP photographers.

Who is the service available for?

Adult Bereavement Services are available to anyone who lives in Highland over the age of 18, who has been bereaved by the death of a significant person in their life, regardless of the cause of death.

Services available

Individual Counselling

Counselling may offer a non-directive space to explore and address the personal issues which may be making the experience of grief difficult, in a confidential setting. This may be offered in person at the Hospice, by telephone and/or online.

Working together in counselling is an evolving, negotiated, and agreed process that aims to be responsive to your changing and developing needs and wishes. You can read more about what to expect from counselling here.

Sharing Space

A time to talk or just to listen; over a period of 3 months, 6 sessions, you will be empowered to share your story, make positive connections and friendships and build on your coping mechanisms, self-esteem and confidence as you navigate your world without your significant person. These are groups sessions facilitated by a trained volunteer or member of staff and currently run in Inverness. We seek to expand these groups throughout the Highlands so please get in touch to see how we can best support you.

Support for Children and Young People

Please have a look at our Crocus Highland service which offers therapeutic support to bereaved children and young people aged 5-18 years across the Highlands, regardless of the cause of death.

Tributes

Highland Hospice has on-line 'In Memoriam' book called Always in Our Hearts. It is a place to share memories and photos of those who have died. Whilst we may no longer see them, they nonetheless remain in our hearts. You can either flick through the book in its entirety or search for a specific person’s dedication.

For those who prefer not to be online, there is also a physical Book of Remembrance into which a loved one’s name, and a particular memory, can be entered. The books for current and past years are kept in a quiet room in the Hospice and you are welcome to look at them at any mutually convenient time.

You may also choose to dedicate a leaf on our Memory Tree. Our Memory Tree is decorated with autumnal bronze, copper and gold leaves, all of which can be engraved with a personal dedication. By dedicating a leaf you can create a lasting tribute to someone you love while also making a real difference for other families who need our care.

Time to Remember

Memorial Events are organised throughout the year both online and in person. Everyone is very welcome to attend any or all of these events and to join us for refreshments afterwards. Information about these events will be publicised on on Facebook, and in local press throughout the Highlands.

If you wish to be on the mailing list to know more about our events and groups please contact our Bereavement Officer on bereavement@highlandhospice.org.uk.

Making contact

If you wish to make use of the service, or would like to discuss any aspect of what we offer please contact our Bereavement Officer, on 07709 717586 or email bereavement@highlandhospice.org.uk.

The service works on a referral system. We accept referrals from anyone, but ask that the person being referred is aware.

Referrals can be made using our online form. Referrals may also be made using this downloadable form. Please download the form, fill it in and send it to us. If you have any queries about making a referral, please contact us.

When someone in whose care the Hospice has had direct involvement dies, a member of the Bereavement Team will make contact with the next of kin approximately six or eight weeks afterwards, to offer support to any friend or family member who feels they would benefit.

Information and advice

Please support your Highland Hospice

We need to raise £8,500 every day to provide our services across the Highlands

Donate now