Chaplaincy and Social Work

At Highland Hospice we recognise that spirituality is a part of life and is relevant to every individual, whether or not we think of ourselves as 'religious'. Spirituality has to do with the meaning we give to our lives, and the things which sustain us to live as fully as we can.

Our chaplain, Norma Higgott, works across the Hospice, offering time and attention for patients and family members who are trying to make sense of what is happening to them. The chaplain is available to all those connected with the Hospice in either a personal or professional capacity; to listen and be with individuals and families. In doing so they endeavour to assist people in finding resources within and around them to help deal with their present situation.

Our chaplain can also assist with planning life events such as baptisms, weddings and funerals, and can liaise with local churches or other faith groups as needed.

Our beautiful room, Suilven (pictured below), offers a place for groups and individuals to use for quiet reflection. We often think of it as 'an cridhe', the heart of the Hospice.

Making Contact

You can get in touch with and benefit from the support of our chaplaincy service if you are using any other Highland Hospice service. You can make contact yourself or ask any member of the Hospice team to refer you. Enquiries can be made to the Clinical Secretary on 01463 227919.

Our Social Work team works across the different clinical teams in the Hospice. They spend time each day in the Inpatient Unit working as part of the MDT, and with the individual patients and their families. They also work alongside the Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Team providing outpatient services, home visits and work with individuals as well as groups to support patients and their carers.

The Social Work Team offers:

• Working as part of a multi-disciplinary to team to offer a range of support and advice on practical issues including, but not limited to: accessing benefits; discharge planning and co-ordination of care-at-home services, support on housing issues; information about residential or nursing home services; information about Power of Attorney; making a will.
• Advocacy/signposting and support in dealing with other agencies and connecting to community resources.
• Psychological and emotional support for people living with a life shortening illness and also to their family and carers. The includes pre bereavement and pre dying support and conversations with patients and their families/carers. It also involves supporting family relationships at a time of crisis.
• Advice, guidance and information for families where there is a child or teenager affected by all that is happening as well as one to one work with young people.
• Advice and information to other social work and health professionals.
• A specialised knowledge of loss, change and bereavement and how this impacts individuals and families.
• Working alongside Adult Bereavement Services and Child and Young Person Bereavement Services (Crocus Highland) when required.

Making Contact

You can get in touch with and benefit from the support of our social worker if you are using any Highland Hospice service. You can make contact yourself or ask any member of the Hospice team to refer you. Enquiries can be made to the Clinical Secretary on 01463 227919.

Highland Hospice is one of many voluntary and public sector organisations providing advice, support and hands-on care for people and families living with advancing, life shortening illness. We hope our 'Signposting to Other Services' page will help you navigate your way through these organisations and find the help you need. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please contact the Community Support Team on 01463 227901.