A hospice has been given over £30,000 in funding to provide specialist bereavement services to those who have lost loved ones during the pandemic.
Butterwick Hospice Care, in Bishop Auckland, continues to help and support families in challenging and difficult times. The hospice was previously awarded £15,284 by Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership (AAP), to help with day care services for palliative care patients during the pandemic.
This was supported by £3,000 in Neighbourhood Budget funding from Durham County Council councillor Sam Zair for home care support.
Building on this, staff at Butterwick Hospice Care have been delighted to receive an additional £31,393 from Bishop Auckland and Shildon AAP to provide specialist bereavement services. Counsellors will work with those specifically bereaved during the pandemic, either through coronavirus or another illness.
Services will be provided to both adults and children through one-to-one counselling and complementary therapies. Counselling for adults will be held at the centre and for children through their place of education.
The funding was able to support fully qualified counsellors including a specialist children’s counsellor to work with those under 18s, as well as complementary therapies and equipment.
Dianne McKenzie, head of family support at Butterwick Hospice Care, said: “We are really grateful for the ongoing support we receive from Bishop Auckland and Shildon AAP.
“The funding helps us to continue our provision of vital bereavement support to local people within our community, particularly to those whose loved ones have died during the pandemic.”
Andrew Walker, Bishop Auckland and Shildon AAP co-ordinator, said: “This vital funding will provide a big boost to bereavement counselling services at the hospice.
“It’s great that staff will be on hand to help more of those who have lost someone during the pandemic, which has been such a tough time for so many people. We hope that those affected by bereavement will use the service to help deal with their grief and be able to improve their mental health.”
For more information about Bishop Auckland and Shildon AAP go to www.durham.gov.uk/bishopandshildonaap
