Meet our Therapy Team
We chatted with Jenny (Physiotherapist), Emily (Occupational Therapist) and Beth (Rehabilitation Assistant) about their roles at the Hospice.
The team’s focus is on Palliative Rehabilitation, an approach which encourages and empowers people with a life-limiting illness to actively manage their condition, live as fully as they can and enjoy the best quality of life possible.
Jenny tells us: “When I was training, I was inspired by a Palliative Physiotherapist and whilst I’ve done other physiotherapy roles, I always promised myself I’d eventually specialise in palliative physiotherapy.”
“People may not know that as the therapy team, Beth, Emily and I work across both areas of the Hospice, supporting patients in our In-Patient Unit and guests in our Living Well Centre.”
“In my role, I help patients with their movement, mobility, safety and making sure they can achieve their goals, whatever they may be. A lot of this might be helping increase someone’s confidence, for example, to go out into their back garden or go shopping.”
“A lovely example recently has been a Living Well Centre guest who has gained more confidence to move safely, and they’re now planning on catching a flight to visit their family abroad.”
“Beth joined the Hospice as our Rehabilitation Assistant (a new role within the team), earlier this year. She has increased the capacity of the therapy team to be able to provide more – all those little extras. She supports both myself and Emily, and is working towards delivering her own sessions such as bed exercises, chair exercises, and supporting Cognitive Stimulation Therapy sessions for people with mild to moderate dementia.”
Beth adds: “This is my first role in health care and I’ve gained so many skills already. As a team, we support people as their conditions change. It’s so rewarding getting to help others and knowing we have made a difference. The groups provide a space to encourage conversations and build people’s confidence.”
Emily reflects: “I’ve been an Occupational Therapist for four years. I joined the Hospice earlier this year and it’s been lovely to have the balance and variety of working across both the In-Patient Unit and Living Well Centre. It’s a beautiful environment and so rewarding. The best thing about the role is getting to know our guests and patients.”
The team run group sessions in our Living Well Centre, including Seated Exercise, Health and Wellbeing, Strength and Balance, Wellness Wednesdays and Gardening.
Emily shares: “All of the groups are therapy-led, so they each have a focus and we know what we want to achieve.”
“I’m not very green-fingered!” she laughs, “However, the gardening group has been so much fun and I’ve learnt a lot. We’ve created hanging baskets, and been doing all the mucky jobs!”
“The Health and Wellbeing group rotates with the Gardening group. In time we have plans to develop a ‘FAB’ session (fatigue, anxiety and breathlessness).”
“Therapeutic groups are a gentle way to welcome people to the Hospice and see what it’s all about”.
The team speak about how rewarding their roles are, and how important it is for them, to get know and care for those who use our services.
“It’s great being part of a multi-disciplinary team, all working together to meet the needs of the patient and provide holistic care. The way people are cared for here is different.” Jenny summarises.
We chat more about the rewarding elements of their roles and talk turns to the hardest parts of Hospice life.
Emily says: “It’s always difficult when you create such close connections with patients and then find out their health may have deteriorated, or they’ve sadly passed away.”
Jenny reflects: “We know that following a diagnosis, we can’t change the outcome, but what we can do is make sure that someone’s quality of life, between now and then, is the best it can be.”
