Sandy’s Story
“I wanted to go back to being the person I was before Dad’s cancer diagnosis and the LivingGrief team helped me find myself again and achieve this goal,” said Sandy Simmons, from Great Yarmouth, who has been supported by St Elizabeth Hospice’s LivingGrief service.
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.
“My Dad (Alan Hall pictured next to Sandy) received support from the St Elizabeth Hospice team, at Beccles Hospital, in 2023,” explained Sandy.
“They were really attentive with their care and had such patience, answering our questions in a sensitive way and lending an ear whenever we needed to talk. We actually got to know many of the nurses and doctors on first name terms and they became like a family to us.
“After Dad’s death, as a family, we were told about the additional support the hospice could give us, such as LivingGrief. Initially, I didn’t think I needed emotional, wellbeing support but after a few months, it was a great relief to know I could reach out to them when I felt the need – which is a decision I don’t regret.
“I was having frequent nightmares and up to four panic attacks a day, which really impacted my work and ability to see friends as I normally would. I tried talking to friends and family, who were all supportive, but nothing made a difference and I was keen to understand what I was feeling.
“When I first went to my LivingGrief therapy session, I was feeling dark, lost and trapped in my grief. Normally I am a happy and upbeat person, but I had been reduced to feeling lost.
“The LivingGrief counsellor helped me understand what I was feeling was normal and helped me gain a grip on the feeling. We had twelve, one-to-one sessions across six months.
“Usually these were face-to-face sessions at the Louise Hamilton Centre (in Gorleston), which was most convenient for me, or we had one or two online, and they did offer a variety of other locations we could meet at as well.
“The LivingGrief therapists are so lovely and they are the biggest difference in helping me with my recovery. You can read lots of articles online, or leaflets, but having a counsellor to guide you through your thought processes and explore your emotions alongside you, makes such a difference.
“Through their support I learnt to not run away from what I was I feeling, but instead to embrace my emotions and this was such a valuable approach to take.
“Having LivingGrief to help me through my difficult, but important journey, was vital. Their non-judgmental approach really gave great reassurance and has positively impacted my wellbeing, my personal and work life and helped me find joy again.
“I really encourage people to reach out to the LivingGrief team if they think they could benefit from their support.
“There is no harm in asking for help in understanding your pain. I wanted to respect my Dad’s memory and for him to stay alive in me and they have helped me achieve this, for which I am forever grateful to them.”
For more information about St Elizabeth Hospice’s LivingGrief services visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/how-we-can-help/information-and-support/bereavement-support/.
