Beat the blues on ‘Blue Monday’ with wellbeing event at Katharine House Hospice

Open to all, this is a chance for members of the public and healthcare professionals to beat the January blues with free taster sessions. These will include relaxation, reiki, massage, M-Technique, seated yoga and information sessions on social prescribing. 

New services include bookable social prescribing sessions, a support group for patients with neurological conditions and their carers, seated yoga classes, monthly mindfulness sessions and a drop-in Memory Café.

“We are really excited to be able to offer these new services and look forward to welcoming everyone to the event, " said Complementary Therapist, Jocelyn Turner.

Social prescribing addresses issues that can affect people’s health but that cannot be treated by doctors or medicine alone. This can include loneliness, debt or stress due to financial pressures, poor housing, social anxiety and even unemployment.

Health Care Support Worker, Jill Frampton, who will lead the service explains: “Social prescribing is seeing the bigger picture and supporting people on a personal basis, exploring non-medical needs which can also have medical benefits.”

Jill will be on hand throughout the open event to provide more information.

In partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society, the Memory Café will provide informal support for anyone affected by dementia. An Alzheimer’s Dementia Advisor will be available to provide advice and support.

The hospice is also launching a seated yoga class for patients accessing outpatient services and will provide short taster sessions on the open day. Monthly mindfulness sessions will allow patients to learn mindfulness techniques they can use in their daily lives. 

For patients with neurological conditions, a new support group will provide exercise and relaxation sessions and the opportunity to spend social time with people experiencing similar health issues.

Catherine Browning, Outpatient Care Lead, added: “We have provided expert, free care for families living with incurable illnesses for 35 years. Over this time, we have continually developed our service to meet the changing needs of our patients, their families and carers.

“We are opening our doors to anyone who would like to know more about our care and we hope to see lots of people taking advantage of this opportunity. 

“Many people still associate hospices with care at the very end of life. We want to show how we can help people from day one of diagnosis with an extensive range of care for physical and emotional needs.”

The doors open at 1pm. People can drop in throughout the afternoon for light refreshments, relaxation and self-care guidance.

Katharine House Hospice provides free expert and compassionate care to families living with incurable illnesses throughout Stafford and surrounding areas. As a charity, the hospice relies on the generosity of the local community for three-quarters of its funding.