Kellie Bramwell – Counsellor in Great Yarmouth & Waveney

Since launching in April 2019, more than 7,000 patients and their families in Great Yarmouth and Waveney have been supported by the free specialist palliative care provided by the joint partnership of St Elizabeth Hospice and East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH).

One member of the hospice team in Great Yarmouth and Waveney is Kellie Bramwell, who is a counsellor in the charity’s LivingGrief bereavement support team.

“It is deeply meaningful work. It can be sad and challenging at times, but the sense of purpose and reward makes it the most fulfilling role I could ever imagine,” said Kellie, who has been part of the hospice team since 2024.

“Prior to working for St Elizabeth Hospice, my professional background was in beauty therapy, where I also taught the subject for nearly 15 years whilst still working within the industry. I loved connecting with people, having conversations, and building trust.

“When COVID-19 hit, I took a pause to reflect and chose to pursue counselling, beginning my training at the University of Suffolk. It felt like a natural step, and I specialised in person-centered counselling – a humanist approach that works particularly well in palliative care and bereavement.

“This approach sees the person as the expert in their own life, working alongside them to explore the best ways to provide support. There is no judgement, only respect, creating a safe space for people to explore their thoughts and emotions.

“Another inspiration behind my path into counselling was my own experiences of physical and non-physical grief. I felt a connection to the hospice world because I understood the fragility of life. Through these experiences, I gained insight into the medical world and learned the importance of holistic care.

“My role at St Elizabeth Hospice is very varied and can see me providing face to face support in one of our clinics, or online or over the phone for people who can’t come to see us in clinic.

“I also visit people in their homes throughout the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area, supporting patients and carers who may not be able to travel.

“These home visits are incredibly important. People are so appreciative of our time, and being able to access support in their own home is very comforting to them and is vital in counselling, as it helps them feel secure while exploring their emotions.

“While on days I am working at Beccles Hospital, you often need to adapt very quickly to support patients or families who require immediate attention on our Inpatient Unit. Each person’s needs are different, so it is important to tailor support for each individual.

“On top of this, we run bereavement groups at Beccles Hospital, which take place weekly over six weeks, with four blocks held throughout the year.

“We also offer LivingGrief sessions bi-monthly, where we talk to people about managing their grief, what to expect and provide signposting to further support, including linking them to the hospice’s Walk On groups and the LivingGrief Hub.

“Knowing I can make a difference to someone is both an honour and a real motivation. It’s humbling when someone allows you into that space, trusts you and is willing to explore their emotions and thoughts with you.

“It doesn’t have to be words, just being present with someone can make a difference. You know you are making an incredible impact, especially during such a personal and distressing time in their lives. This is a big part of what makes my job so rewarding.

“Everyone at the hospice is compassionate and thoughtful – not just towards patients and their families, but also towards colleagues. You feel professionally supported and valued. In my role, self-care and self-awareness are important, and the hospice actively facilitates this.

“I feel truly valued and part of a great team. While the therapy team may not provide the medical aspect of care, our contribution is recognised and appreciated.

“During my time at the hospice, I have also fundraised for the charity by taking part in the Firewalk 2025 with my mum. It was a fantastic evening with a really lively atmosphere.

“I was keen to do something out of my comfort zone and Firewalk was just perfect for this. Taking part also felt like a celebration of completing my first full year at the hospice as well and it was really special to share the experience with my mum as it showed our love and respect for the hospice.

“Looking ahead, the fact charity is building a community hospice in Gorleston is very exciting. It will give a great central base for our teams to be together and will make accessing all our services much easier for patients and their loved ones.

“It is so important the community gets behind this project, as well as continuing to support the hospice and its current services.

“You never know when you may need our care, but if the times comes you can be certain our hospice team will be here to support you and your family through life’s most uncertain times.”