Hospice and bereavement support in north east Essex

St Helena Hospice provides hospice and bereavement support in north east Essex, helping people feel safe, comforted and cared for at every stage of their end of life journey. Care is offered both at the hospice and in people’s own homes, with additional support for families, friends and carers.

Hospice and bereavement support services in north east Essex

Hospice in the Home 

Our Hospice in the Home team supports people in their usual place of residence, such as in their home, a care home or nursing home. These services exist to complement, other local health and social care providers such as GPs, community nurses and social services. We work very closely with our colleagues to ensure the best possible care is provided to local people facing incurable illness and bereavement.   

This service also works closely with other health professionals to ensure everything feels coordinated and seamless. 

Inpatient Unit at Myland Hall, Colchester 

Set in beautiful grounds in Highwoods, Colchester, the hospice inpatient unit provides comfortable accommodation in a mix of four-bedded bays and en–suite single rooms. 

Our experienced team provides 24 hour specialist care for people who have complex needs that cannot be managed at home. Together with our volunteers, we provide person-centred care and holistic support within our unit for people aged 16 or over.

SinglePoint 24/7 Advice Line 

Our SinglePoint team will make an assessment over the phone and help people access the support they need when they need it. This might include arranging a visit, liaising with other teams within St Helena or signposting to other services, such as GPs, community nurses and out of hours doctors.

Home Ward 

The Virtual Ward allows people to receive specialist monitoring and support at home, reducing the need for hospital admissions during the final stages of life. Specialist nurses and clinical teams keep a close eye on symptoms and wellbeing, helping people stay as comfortable as possible in the place they choose.

Emotional, psychological and spiritual support 

Facing the end of life can be incredibly overwhelming, and St Helena offers gentle support for the whole family. Counsellors, social workers and pastoral staff provide emotional and spiritual care, helping people and their loved ones feel supported, understood and reassured throughout the journey.

Bereavement support 

Grief affects everyone differently, and St Helena offers caring, nonjudgemental bereavement support for adults, children and young people. This help is available even if the hospice was not involved in the person’s care. Support may include counselling, group sessions or signposting to further resources, depending on what feels right for each individual. Link: 

Paid for bereavement counselling: Forget Me Not 

For those who would like more specialist or extended support, Forget Me Not counselling is available as a paid for option. It provides dedicated time with trained counsellors for people whose grief feels particularly complex or long-lasting. Link: 

Planning ahead with My Care Choices 

Talking about future wishes can bring peace of mind. The My Care Choices Register allows people to record how and where they would like to be cared for at the end of life. St Helena hosts this electronic register so that all health and care teams can access this information and support people in the best way possible.

Who can access these services? 

Support is available to adults in north east Essex who are living with an incurable or life limiting illness, as well as to their families, friends and carers. Bereavement services are open to anyone in the area who has experienced a loss, regardless of where or how their loved one died. 

How to access support 

People can refer themselves, or a healthcare professional can make a referral on their behalf. Bereavement referrals can be made from 12 weeks after a death.  You can visit the St Helena Hospice website or call 01206 845566.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)