A new wellbeing hub has opened in Saffron Walden to help people with life-limiting conditions, as St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood expands its services.
The St Clare Wellbeing Hub delivers a range of specialist services for people in the town and surrounding villages.
There will be a rolling schedule of sessions, every Thursday from 10am to 3pm in the Salvation Army Hall, with a drop-in café from 1pm to 3pm.
Specialist support available includes help with therapies and social work as well as specialist nurse input - treating people with diagnoses including cancer, heart, lung and kidney conditions and neurological conditions.
Head of patient and family support services Sushma Dhami, Julia Atwood from Saffron Walden Salvation Army, and Tracey Hall of St Clare Hospice (Image: St Clare Hospice)
People attending the hub can access information on finances, benefits and future planning, emotional and spiritual support, fatigue and breathlessness management, mindfulness and relaxation, and a fortnightly bereavement café.
The project is run by Tracey Hall, St Clare's head of community engagement. She said: "We’re delighted to be bringing our specialist hospice services straight to the people of Saffron Walden.
"We know that the distance to the main hospice site is a challenge for many local people.
"We hope that the new weekly wellbeing hub will mean more people with life-limiting conditions can get the support they need and deserve.
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"If you have been recently diagnosed with a life-limiting condition, for example cancer, heart failure, COPD, or Parkinson’s, we are here to support you and help you to live well.
"The wellbeing hub’s aim is to be there for more people, from an earlier point in their diagnosis. We want more local people to get the advice and support they need, as early as possible."
A St Clare Community Hub was first launched in Saffron Walden at the Salvation Army in 2021, offering social work and counselling support.
Tracey added: "Our expert professionals can give advice and run sessions to help people to stay well for longer, and to keep doing the things they love.
"This can include tips for fatigue management, breathlessness workshops, and advice on managing nutrition and medication."
The hub officially opens from today.
For more information and to view the spring/summer 2023 schedule of sessions, visit stclarehospice.org.uk/wellbeing-hub-saffron-walden.
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