Sign up here to receive Hospice updates

565 Foxhall Road
Ipswich,
Suffolk
IP3 8LX
T: (01473) 727776
F: (01473) 274717
Email us here

Positive Living programme

A six week programme for patients, relatives and carers offering the opportunity to learn specific techniques to promote independence and relaxation. Each week a different topic is covered; managing symptoms, breathing techniques, energy conservation, communication, financial issues and family matters. This is followed by discussion and time for relaxation. Individuals can self refer via the senior therapy assistant who co-ordinates the programme. Input to the programme is made by all areas of the therapies team and family support team.

Creative memories group

One aspect of our work is to offer patients and their families/carers an opportunity to meet together in a safe and therapeutic environment to ensure that the valuable information and memories that they hold of family life and history is secured for future generations. These sessions help people to learn how to turn boxes of photos and memorabilia into safe, meaningful and creative keepsake albums.

Half day support

The St Elizabeth half day support programme provides an ongoing support service for patients who have advanced disease and whose symptoms have stabilised, but continue to need ongoing support from the Hospice. The group meets on Monday afternoons and begins with a two course lunch.

During the afternoon a range of activities are offered such as complementary therapy, group discussions, reminiscence and creating memory books, creative activities and quizzes, all of which are fun and promote mental stimulation.Alternatively, the group may simply just share a conversation, have cups of tea and in the finer weather enjoy the Hospice garden.

Transport can be arranged, but people are encouraged to arrange their own as our Hospice volunteer drivers are sometimes very busy.

Referrals are welcomed from both the community and people already known to the Hospice.

Referral criteria:

• People with an advanced disease but whose symptoms have stabilised
• People experiencing difficulty in adjusting to changes in their lives brought on by long term serious illness
• People who are emotionally isolated due to their illness and need extra social support
• People need to be medically stable to attend the group as there is no doctor available
• People need to be able to manage their own personal care needs

If you feel you would benefit from this programme, please speak to a member of the family support team at the Hospice on 01473 727776.