Member of National Voices
Hospice UK and Dying Matters are proud to be a member of National Voices.
Our Frontline
We're proud to be part of Our Frontline - a coalition of leading mental health charities who are uniting for the first time to provide round-the-clock mental health support for those working on the frontline against COVID-19. Along with Mind, Samaritans, Shout Hospice UK and the Royal Foundation, we are working to support key workers who are putting their mental health under pressure, while many of us do our bit by staying at home.
Discover more about Our Frontline
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge speak to the Just 'B' Team
On Wednesday 13 January 2021, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge heard about the crucial mental health support provided for frontline workers during the pandemic by Hospice UK's Just 'B' support line.
Their Royal Highnesses spoke with frontline workers and Just 'B' support workers about the mental health impact of the COVID-19 crisis for those working on the frontline, and why it is vital that they are able to reach out for support at such a critical time.
Providing financial support through its COVID-19 Response Fund, The Royal Foundation has partnered with NHS England and NHS Improvement and the Department of Health and Social Care to help fund Hospice UK’s Just 'B' support line, helping to make vital resources available when they are needed most to NHS staff, social care workers, carers and all emergency services personnel.
Operating between 8am-8pm, 365 days a year, Just 'B' provides confidential, free to access bereavement and wellbeing support related to anxiety, trauma and the impact of encountering a significant number of deaths, in addition to support for personal bereavement and loss.
How is Dying Matters helping frontline workers?
We're offering information booklets to frontline workers on a range of issues including:
- Things to do before you die
- Let's talk about dying
- Supporting bereavement
- Talking to children about death
As well as web information on dealing with sudden or violent death, amongst other topics. These resources and information are shared with key workers so that they are able to find out more about managing death, dying and grief both personally and professionally.
We're also providing networks for professionals in end of life care, and running campaigns to highlight issues around death, dying and grief to improve awareness of what to expect and how to pan for the last years of life.
How is Hospice UK helping frontline workers?
Hospice UK has over 200 hospice members working in end of life care that support dying people and their families. Our Frontline is being promoted to frontline hospice staff across the country via Hospice UK's Hospice Leaders Brief which is sent to senior hospice staff.
Thanks to the support of The Royal Foundation, Hospice UK is now able to provide a new Counselling and Trauma Helpline, which is operated by the ‘Just B’ team at Saint Michael’s Hospice, and their network of specially trained staff and counsellors with bereavement, trauma and emotional support experience.
The helpline is available 7 days a week, from 8am to 8pm, by calling 0300 303 4434. It is for all NHS, care sector staff and emergency service workers.
The service is responsive to faith, individuality, culture and community including providing a Tagalog speaking therapist service to support the large numbers of NHS and social care staff from the Philippines.
