Our Family Support Line is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm
Our team of Family Support Workers are on hand to answer your call. Whether you need advice or support, have questions about an event or respite, want to be referred for counselling or therapies, book a service, or would just like someone to talk to, we are here for you. You can contact us by telephone or email.
Our team of experienced and fully qualified counsellors can offer psychological support via telephone, online or in-person at Christopher’s or Shooting Star House. We can support you with a question you may have, or with ongoing sessions for you, or you and your partner together.
Counselling sessions offer the time and space to talk through concerns and difficulties that are making your day-to-day life challenging. Counselling sessions are confidential. In this safe environment, you are in control of bringing issues that are important to you, that you feel ready to talk about. If you’re not sure where to start, our counsellors will gently guide you through thinking about your needs and hopes.
Parents, couples and in some cases, grandparents can seek counselling support.
Psychological support is also available for children, young people, and siblings.
Our team of experienced and fully qualified children’s psychological therapists can offer support direct to your child or a sibling through a series of sessions, or help guide you in supporting them. Face-to-face sessions can be accessed at both Christopher’s and Shooting Star House. Where appropriate it is possible to offer sessions virtually.
Advice and support can be sought by parents wanting to learn how best to explain things to their child, for example the progression of their condition, or the expected death of a sibling. Parents can speak with a therapist at any time to talk about their child or a sibling, to work together to ensure their emotional needs are being met at home and at school.
Sessions are confidential so a child feels safe to share challenging and potentially harmful feelings they might be struggling with. This is carried out with frequent opportunities to work closely with parents and in collaboration with schools and other professionals involved.
Supported children, siblings and parents can benefit from complementary therapies at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.
Currently in-person appointments are available at Shooting Star House on Mondays. We will let you know when appointments are also available at Christopher’s. Aromatherapy massage is used to help with deep muscle relaxation, and with emotional and physical symptoms you are experiencing. Complementary therapies take a holistic approach to supporting your wellbeing.
Virtual consultations are available to families, so that our Complementary Therapist can assess your needs and support you with a tailored blend of oils placed on an aroma stick and delivered by post to your home, and a programme of exercises for you to follow. This can assist with a range of concerns such as anxiety, stress, panic attacks, sleep difficulties or headache.
We support families from all faith backgrounds and are committed to expanding our knowledge and improving our practises. Religious leaders are welcomed at the hospice. If you would like us to arrange a visit from a leader of any particular faith, please speak to a member of the care team. Alongside our knowledgeable staff we also have Church of England vicars who have an association with each of our hospices. They visit the hospices regularly and are available to explore life’s big questions and support you in your faith.
Spirituality is embedded in our hospice values and in all our work with families. We recognise that spirituality means different things to different people – we want to make sure everyone feels comfortable with the hospice care they receive, as everyone’s values, thoughts, beliefs and ideas are important to us. We welcome any suggestions, questions or requests you may have to ensure our good practice.
Tips, advice and where to get support for your child’s mental health in general and specific advice for during the pandemic.
Lots of practical advice and information for managing your mental health during the pandemic.
NHS information with a mental health wellbeing app to download, as well as advice and links for immediate support.
A page bursting full of self-care advice for young people laid out in an accessible way.
Popular mental health mobile app, also available via website (link below) that includes sleep stories, meditation, mindfulness, help with stress, anxiety, anger and difficulty sleeping.
A mobile app (link to website below) which helps you bring mindfulness into your everyday life. Lots of interactive exercises, tips and ideas.