Addy’s 565 Service Story
“I think without St Elizabeth Hospice’s 565 Service I would have spiralled badly. I wouldn’t have had anyone to talk to who could give advice or who had knowledge of grief and what can occur.
“Having that understanding ear to listen is so valuable,” explained 18-year-old, Addy Prime, who has received support from the 565 Service, following the death of her mum, Samantha, aged 56, who was also cared by the hospice.
Every year St Elizabeth Hospice cares for more than 4,000 patients and their families throughout East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
This care sees the independent Suffolk charity providing free services – whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice – to those living with a progressive or life-limiting illness.
As well as clinical care, we provide a range of emotional and wellbeing support through our bereavement support service, LivingGrief. Via face-to-face consultations or phone and video call support
Part of the hospice’s bereavement service, LivingGrief, the 565 Service gives emotional support to children, young people and families living with a family member with a progressive illness.
Operating in the East Suffolk area, the service also provides bereavement support following the loss of a loved one via family meetings, one-to-one counselling and group work.
“She was very creative and loved making things such as knitting, crocheting and sewing,” said Addy, originally from Ipswich.
“She was a massive geek, loved history and wrote two books about notable people in our local village. Mum was always doing something, every day there was something different she was working on.
“She was very understanding, always supporting me and making sure I had the best. She was very proud of me and my three older brothers – she was just the best mum and a beautiful person.
“Mum died in October 2024 following a diagnosis of life-limiting brain and lung cancer. Prior to this, she spent a month on the hospice’s Inpatient Unit and had received a year of support through the charity’s Outpatient Services, including art therapy.
“All the hospice staff were amazing in helping her during her final weeks of life. They made sure she was comfortable, always fed, safe, looked after and loved.
“As well as this, St Elizabeth Hospice has helped me tremendously over the last three years. They’ve helped me come to terms with my situation and helped me prepare for mum’s final steps in her beautiful life.
“The amazing 565 Service team have helped me so much with coming to terms with my grief and adapting to this change in my life.
“565 Service began supporting me in November 2022. My mum had been in contact with the hospice and wanted to plan ahead for the future. I was 14 at the time, and they offered counselling straight away, which my mum agreed to immediately to help me.
“This initially involved Sam, from the 565 Service, coming into my school once a week for a period of time. I was in Year 10 doing my GCSEs, so it made the support much more accessible and meant I did not need to be taken out of school, only missing around half an hour of a lesson, which really helped at such an important time at school.
“I then decided I didn’t need support for a few months, before I reached out again and said I thought we needed to restart as I needed help preparing for what was going to happen. At each point they were tailoring their care to suit me.
“I also attended 565 Service group therapy sessions with other young people experiencing similar situations. That was really important as it allowed us to connect through shared experiences.
“While we all had different stories, there were similarities too. My other friends cannot relate in the same way, but those in the group can. We now have a group chat and support each other in a safe, understanding space.
“In November 2025, I started one-to-one support again and I continue to attend the hospice, once a month, to this day. When my mum died in October, I thought I was prepared in every way, but I could not let myself feel it and I did not fully accept it at the time.
“For a few months, I struggled to process what had happened. It was not until June 2025 that I began to really work through my grief. Group therapy played a big part in this.
“I was feeling angry and almost in denial, but I am now at a stage of acceptance and able to face life and move forward with confidence using the guidance from the 565 Service.
“The biggest difference the 565 Service has made to me is that I now know how to process my grief and let it out in healthy ways.
“Looking to the future, I know I can get on with my day without grief beating me down. I have an understanding of my feelings and can manage my thoughts using techniques that the 565 Service has shown me.
“I would encourage anyone to reach out to the 565 Service or St Elizabeth Hospice. It can be difficult to speak to someone about your grief, but the 565 Service helped me with simple, practical steps of what to do after a loved one has died and what to expect in the time leading up to it.
“Every parent wants what is best for their child, and in my opinion the 565 Service is best help you can receive in this situation. They have the specialist knowledge to support young people through such difficult times.
“The overwhelming kindness my family and I received from the hospice was exceptional, and that is why I have chosen to raise money for the charity, by taking part in its Midnight Walk 2026, to help the hospice continue to support families like mine.
“I am going to be taking on the 9-mile route, which sounds quite daunting as it is my first Midnight Walk! I am feeling quite nervous, but I am taking part with my boyfriend, his family, and some of the girls from the 565 Service group, which will really help and it should be a great evening.
“I spoke to the girls in the group about taking part and they immediately said yes, as they also wanted to give back to the hospice for the support they have received too. I think it will be a really good experience doing it together.
“My inspiration behind the challenge is wanting to give back to the hospice. I want to say ‘thank you’ for everything they did for mum, my family and me. It gives me peace to know I am doing this as a tribute to my mum too.
“St Elizabeth Hospice is such a calm and relaxing environment to spend the end-of-life in. The hospice team are so respectful and I always felt at ease there.
“They are experts in what they do, which is really reassuring when facing such an uncertain time for you and your family.
“People should fundraise for the hospice, as they do so much more than you expect, and our local community would be lost without their support.”
To learn more about the 565 Service visit: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/our-care/livinggrief-bereavement-support/565-service-children-support/