Think of the care that Weldmar Hospicecare provides in Dorset, and your first thought may be their hospice in Dorchester, or it could be the dedicated community nursing team who visit patients in their own homes across the county.
The charity’s care extends beyond this front line of amazing doctors and nurses, and there is a growing Family Support Services team, which includes counselling and bereavement support for loved ones and family members of patients.
Emma Weston has just joined Weldmar Hospicecare as the new Counselling and Bereavement Lead.
Emma joins Weldmar from the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body, who award counselling qualifications, as well as being a counselling teacher. Previously, Emma also set up a counselling service in Dorchester for Autism Wessex, where she volunteered for seven years.
“When I was training to be a counsellor”, says Emma, “I took on a voluntary role for the charity Cruse Bereavement Care. My time there taught me that we all need somebody when we’re struggling with loss and bereavement, and it was a really powerful experience. When the job at Weldmar came up, I thought it was an amazing opportunity to come and be able to help people in the local community.”
Although only in post for a matter of weeks, Emma says she’s enjoying being part of the Weldmar family already. “It’s absolutely amazing. Everybody is really passionate about their job and the organisation. Passionate and hard-working, everybody works as a team, and they make you feel very welcome.”
Emma joins existing Counselling and Bereavement team members Kate Hyde and Jane Askew, and a number of much valued volunteers who help Weldmar support those people who need these services.
