Far from being depressing, social worker Liz Gale says hospice
work is rewarding - but support from your team is crucial in
achieving this
When people find out that I work at a hospice their initial
reaction is "Isn't that terribly depressing?".
I am one of a team of social workers at Trinity Hospice in
London, providing psychosocial support to patients and their
families. Much of the support is psychological, helping patients or
those close to them come to terms with the changes that diagnosis
of a serious and incurable illness brings.
We are also involved in practical issues, advocating on behalf
of patients to link them into services or funds to which they might
be entitled. Additionally, the social work team takes the lead in
providing pre- and post-bereavement support to those close to our
talking about their lives. The hospice's services are open to
adults of any age and cultural or social background free of charge
so I meet a huge variety of people with different life
experiences.
Having a life-limiting illness does tend to make people reflect
on finding meaning in their lives, and it's a privilege to have
someone share with me the insight that they have gained by looking
back over their achievements and regrets.
Creative
response
The other great thing about my job is the variety - there really
is no typical day.
I work with patients and families in our 28-bed in-patient unit,
as well as make visits in the community. Each family is different
and, because our remit is broad (providing psychosocial support to
patients and those close to them), we can respond creatively to the
needs of each individual. We provide emotional support on a
one-to-one basis or can facilitate family sessions.
Sometimes families need our help to communicate how the
situation has affected each of them and to learn how to support
each other. It can be tough for family members adjusting to
different roles when someone is ill - perhaps having to cook or
look after younger siblings for the first time if mum or dad is no
longer able to.
I once had a counselling session with one lady who told me she
wasn't up to talking, but would love a cup of Horlicks - sometimes
it's the simplest things you can do for people that make the most
difference.
It's always particularly rewarding if you get the opportunity to
help someone achieve a goal or fulfil a dream. I've organised trips
and parties for patients who have something they're keen to do
despite, or because, of their illness. I've not yet been asked to
help organise a wedding, but we do sometimes have these at the
hospice and I would love to be involved in making someone's special
day happen.
The hospice can be a place of great joy - there are days when
relatives who haven't seen each other in decades are reunited or
when a grandparent gets to see a longed-for grandchild for the
first time.
We're all trained in counselling, but also have opportunities to
develop other areas of professional interest. I've recently been on
a course to learn how to use guided imagery and visualisation to
help patients deal with anxiety. One of my colleagues is training
as a family therapist.
Of course, as is human nature, sometimes you find yourself
making a connection with someone and becoming fond of them, so it
can be sad when they die. I take some consolation in knowing that I
did my best to help them achieve their goals and die with a sense
of peace. We also offer bereavement counselling so I know that
there is ongoing support available for the family should they need
it.
Emotionally
demanding
Because the work can be emotionally demanding, it's crucial that
we work as a team to support each other.
It's important to be able to recognise when one of your
colleagues is having a tough day and to be ready with whatever it
is that person needs to get through (whether that's a hug, a
listening ear, or a cup of tea).
When my day's work is finished I know that I've been part of a
team helping families through a difficult but special and important
part of their lives; and to me that's what social work is
about.
This article is published in the 24 September issuse of
Community Care magazine under the heading "The hospice can be a
place of great joy"
STAND UP NOW FOR SOCIAL WORK
Stories in the mainstream media give a skewed picture of social
work because they focus on children's services and relate mainly to
crises and serious cases. Community Care's Stand Up Now for Social
Work campaign is seeking to redress the balance by giving a voice
to social workers from across the profession. E-mail your positive
social work stories to daniel.lombard@rbi.co.uk and
read more stories at
www.communitycare.co.uk/goodnews